What does the United Way offer?

By FAYE NORTHCUTT-KNOX

Through a generous partnership with the Cannon Courier, this week's edition of the Courier launches a monthly column from your United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. Our hope and intent is to inform, present timely information, and to educate the community on United Way's mission in Cannon County.

What is United Way? United Way is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization led by a local all-volunteer Board of Directors.

We focus on determining the underlying causes of the most important issues in our communities and work to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks of a better life; education, income, health, and rebuilding lives.

Prior to 2005 United Way of Rutherford County acted as an administrator for contributions designated for Cannon County from Rutherford County and various other United Ways. However, realizing that with this system there were no measurements in place for impact and outcomes for the programs that were receiving this funding, the Board of Directors at the United Way of Rutherford County voted to incorporate Cannon County into their organization.

Much has changed since Cannon County joined United Way. United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has a long tradition of adhering to very high standards of accountability and transparency as a member of United Way Worldwide. United Way is audited annually by an independent CPA firm and the audit results are reviewed by the all-volunteer Finance Committees and the Board of Directors. As a result of this transparency, United Way can now track partner programs in Cannon County and report back to the community the outcomes of those programs and the impact those programs have on our community.

In the coming months, this column will focus on the individual programs that directly provide services to Cannon County and how your generous investments in your community are changing lives in a positive manner.