Student United Way

Student United Way at Indiana University Bloomington

Student United Way is a student-led community change organization. Student leaders improve peoples’ lives, develop leadership skills and join the growing United Way movement by giving, advocating, and volunteering on campus and in the community. Upon graduation, student leaders of United Way campus chapters join an alumni network that helps them stay involved in community change for the long term.

Our Mission

Student United Way at Indiana University supports the local community by:

Giving, advocating, and volunteering in the areas of education, income, and health
Helping members and other students grow as leaders and connect to the community
Building lasting relationships amongst members, partners, and with United Way

The Student United Way work includes:

Advocating: Educate members and the student body about critical community issues in education, income, and health
Volunteering: Serve, and recruit peers to serve, in meaningful ways that help create lasting change
Giving: Fundraise and donate to help address critical issues facing the community

What We Do

Partnerships

To address the lack of communication between service organizations on IU’s campus, we partner with existing service clubs on campus to share resources, volunteer opportunities, and brain power. Interested in becoming a partner organization? Contact our Nonprofit Liaison, Ariel Oeffinger at aoeffing@iu.edu.

Campus Awareness

Monthly Meetings: Our meetings are currently on hiatus, but starting Spring 2022, we will be having monthly meetings on the Wednesday of the first week of the month. Location TBA. 
Volunteering Events: We spend a few hours once a month volunteering with one of our partner organizations to observe how they are fulfilling their mission.
Fundraising: We host 2 fundraising events a month to benefit education, income, and health causes. Donations are distributed to United Way of Monroe County.

Get Involved

Contact Student United Way directly at kamsarac@iu.edu

Students may also visit beinvolved.indiana.edu/organization/studentunitedway to learn more.

Officers

Co-Presidents: Noah Moenning and Varun Gopal

Vice President: Advaith Bharathwaj

Communications Director: Kamran Sarac

Nonprofit Liaison: Ariel Oeffinger

Community Engagement Director: Shawn Beeler II

Social Media Director: Isha Barua

Fundraising Director: Irane Arora

Graduate Advisor: Catherine Blankensop

Did You Know?

A gift of $2 per week provides 70 bags of healthy groceries to low-income families.

Of the high school seniors enrolled in mentoring programs at United Way member agencies, 94% graduated and 91 % have plans to attend college or vocational school

$60/week can provide materials for 3 volunteer-built handicap-accessible ramps allowing low-income seniors to live at home safely.

Nearly 24,000 rides on Rural Transit and bus passes have been provided so people without transportation could get to and from work

In Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties, 445 individuals saved $69,217 in prescription drug costs through the FamilyWize discount prescription drug card distributed by United Way of Monroe County at agencies, pharmacies and community outreach events.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters, a United Way member agency, 75% of youth improved or maintained their good attendance at school and 61% increased or maintained their good grades

Born Learning materials are free and help parents, caregivers, and our community create early learning opportunities for young children.

Calls made to 2-1-1 are free and confidential.

In 2017, 2-1-1 specialists and online database searches responded to 3,752 inquiries from Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties and made 5,138 referrals. Most callers were seeking help with housing and utilities assistance, and food.

Legacy Donors include United Way in their estate plans, including a will, a retirement plan, or a life insurance policy.

When you choose to donate to United Way, you improve a life.

Locally, 1 in 5 children are at risk of hunger

A gift of $9 per week ensures 3 days of emergency shelter service for victims of domestic violence.

88% of Amethyst House clients reported maintaining or increasing income and 100% learned new budgeting skills. 88% of residents in transitional housing programs increased or maintained their income.

Your donation of $1 per week provides 2 people with bus transportation to a new job for a month.

838 school children received supports like clothing, shoes, school supplies, medical services, and special transportation assistance through the MCCSC and RBBSC Assistance Funds so they could fully participate in classes

A gift of $10 per week provides 3 community events to educate low-income community members about legal rights.

A gift of $20 per week can provide 50 people with their birth certificates which will help them in securing housing, employment, and other necessary resources.

A gift of $3 per week provides 12 people with needed prescription medicine.

With 17 regional partners, the Free Community Tax Service helped low-income people in Monroe and Owen counties bring back over $2.9 million in refunds and credits

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Student United Way