United Way partner agencies meet for breakfast

United Way of Greater St. Joseph invited members of their partner agencies to a breakfast and networking event on Wednesday morning.

Many attendees were from partner agencies who collaborate with the United Way and they were able to meet others from partner agencies while enjoying a nice breakfast on Jan. 15.

Kylee Strough, president of United Way of Greater St. Joseph, says that the event is designed to build bonds among many of the organizations working to improve the lives of those living in St. Joseph and surrounding areas.

“It’s something to look forward to in the winter, which can sometimes not have a lot to look forward to,” Strough said. “But really the goal of this morning is to bring our partner agencies, their leadership, including their board members, and the United Way staff and board members together.”

There are 17 partner agencies that work with the United Way and combined, they strive to improve the community.

One of these partner agencies is the YWCA of St. Joseph.

The YWCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Danielle Brown, said the breakfast event was beneficial for many of the organizations involved with the United Way.

“Not very often do all the partner agencies get to be in one place at one time, and so when we can it’s nice to just come together and not have an agenda of things we need to work on,” Brown said. “It’s really a time to come together as social interactions.”

Brown explained how the YWCA collaborates with the United Way to serve the local community.

“Being a partner agency with United Way is really just having somebody to walk alongside you, whether that’s advice, a sounding board, or to be able to have someone to kind of be that leader in bringing people together,” Brown said.

Those interested in getting involved with United Way can visit their website at stjosephunitedway.org.