United Way of Lake County Board Chair Scott J. Marn Speaks Out on the Organization’s New 2020 Funding Model
Mentor, OH (September 9, 2019) – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) Board Chair Scott J. Marn, CFP®, AAMS® Vice President – Investments of Benjamin F. Edwards & Company in Mentor led the board in its adoption of the organization’s new funding model.
Marn spoke out in support of the newly enhanced funding model at a board meeting held just prior to the organization’s campaign kickoff event on August 23, 2019. His words carry tremendous weight throughout the organization. He served as UWLC’s Campaign Chair in 2016 before serving on the board as second and first vice chair prior to moving into his current role.
According to UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty, “I’m grateful for Scott’s support of our reposition. The experience he gained leading our 2016 campaign provided him with a clear understanding of how our new goals and funding model will work to propel our mission of improving lives for people in Lake County. Scott is passionate about our community and I am thrilled that he continues to advocate for the work we do in his current volunteer leadership role.”
UWLC will be repositioning its funding model to include specific data-driven goals. The new goals were established after the organization conducted extensive research and a series of community conversations to determine the areas of critical concern to Lake County residents.
“Everything United Way of Lake County does comes down to the expectations of the community,” said Marn. The same core group of programs were funded year after year based on the impact they made. We are proud to hang our hat on these programs. They are among the best our community has to offer. We simply must move in a new direction to meet the ever-changing needs of our community and the current funding model prevented new, innovative programs from being considered,” he said.
United Way of Lake County works to build a stronger community by improving education, financial stability and health while also providing for basic needs. This has not changed. What has changed is the organizations establishment of three new community impact strategies based on the needs of the community.
The first goal includes strengthening kindergarten readiness. Less than half the children in Lake County currently enter kindergarten with sufficient skills, knowledge and abilities to engage in kindergarten-level instruction. UWLC’s five-year goal is to increase the percentage of children ready to enter kindergarten ready to meet every educational milestone and successfully complete their education.
The second goal includes changing the odds for residents who are unable to get ahead financially and struggle to afford life’s basic needs. Over one-third of Lake County residents either live in poverty or earn more than the federal poverty level but less than the cost of living. Our goal is to eliminate the barriers to self-sufficiency for those living above the poverty level who cannot get ahead. This includes eliminating barriers in the areas of transportation, adult education, stable housing, emergency services, banked with savings, basic life skills, food insecurity and safety.
The third goal includes changing the odds for the uninsured and under-insured individuals in need of quality healthcare for a better life. Too many individuals in Lake County live in distress due to a lack of access to healthcare. Our goal includes increasing the medical and behavioral health resources available to Lake County residents.
“The new funding model will begin next year, and we look forward to receiving inventive, new program submissions that will help us work toward meeting our goals.” said Marn.
According to Marn, “All United Ways are independently operated and governed. That’s the beauty of the organization. This allows each to best serve the individual and varied needs of the communities operated within. In our case, this is Lake County. Donations made to Lake County stay in Lake County, helping our community’s most vulnerable residents.”
Should you wish to help change the odds for those in need, donations can be given online at uwlc.org/give.