On behalf of our many partner agencies and the more than 60,000 people who will be helped throughout the next year, I want thank you, our supporters, for investing a collective $7,133,520 to put opportunity in the hands of Quad Citizens!
I am reminded this year that, while we have many challenges to overcome, we also have many strengths to celebrate. Throughout neighborhoods and communities across the region, we have so many generous people who care deeply about one another and the quality of life in this place that we call home.
During this turbulent year, our community rallied to help kids, families and residents who were most impacted by COVID-19. College students, employees, neighbors and leaders committed time and money to provide for basic needs, get kids on track in school, adults financially stable and individuals access to health services to stay safe and healthy.
More than 2,000 Quad Citizens participated in our 21-Day Equity Challenge to deepen their understanding, learn ways to take action and launch what we hope will be a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our community. This summer, we will launch our Quad Cities Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Institute to empower and equip local leaders to scale up their commitment to building a more just community — and we’re already accepting applications for the fall session.
And while we responded to the immediate needs of a trying year like we’ve never seen, we didn’t take our eyes off the future. This month we launched our Rise United 2030 Goals. Rise United is the result of 18 months of planning, researching and creating models of impact. It’s a set of achievable goals to build a stronger community delivering on our vision where, “Every Quad Citizen, regardless of race or ZIP code, has the opportunity and access needed to develop their full potential.” And we hope we can count you in to support these goals.
We couldn’t have done this without you — and all the supporters, donors, volunteers, advocates, community leaders just like you — as well as the generous and forward-thinking companies and organizations which have made helping our community flourish a top priority.
We also give a special thanks to our dedicated 2020 Community Campaign Tri-chairs: Mara Downing, John Deere’s Vice President of Global Brand and Communications; Chad Everitt, Davenport Managing Director at Deloitte; and Jabari Woods, Associate Director of HR & Equity at Davenport Community Schools. These passionate and dedicated Quad Citizens have shown true leadership, igniting the spirit of generosity in so many others during this time of heightened need in our community, and we couldn’t be more proud of their partnership.
THANK YOU for loving those who are seen and unseen through your amazing acts of generosity. Thank you for injecting just a bit of belief and hopefulness in the lives of people who need it most. Belief and hopefulness are the two most powerful determinants to success, and thousands in our region will be closer to living their best possible lives because of your collective actions.
With appreciation and hope,
Rene Gellerman
President/CEO
United Way Quad Cities
