UNITED WAY SERVICES INC.

UNITED WAY SERVICES INC. United Way began in 1887 when a woman, a priest, a rabbi and two ministers created an organization in Denver to collect funds for local charities. The first year $21,700 was raised for 10 health and welfare organizations. (1)

In 1928, United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States began its work as the Dubuque Community Chest. Citizens and civic organizations joined together under the principle that “Individualism is a traditional characteristic of the American people, but so is the spirit of teamwork pulling together for good causes.” (2)

At the time the Dubuque Community Chest was organized, there were only 350 Community Chests in the United States. Today, there are more than 1,800 United Ways worldwide, and United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States has gone from raising $65,000 annually to raising more than $1.8 million annually. (3)

United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States is still committed to the ideals of diversity and inclusion. We support health and human service programs that address identified community needs and encourage collaboration. These initiatives align with our three pillars of health, education and financial stability – the building blocks of a good quality of life. (4)

Among the leaders in the local history of the organization was Walter Grubb who served as the executive director of Dubuque's United Way from 1959 to 1973. In 1965 under his leadership, the United Way conducted a community services survey in cooperation with the city and county. This survey resulted in the establishment of the Dubuque County Mental Health Center, the joint YMCA-YWCA Community Recreational Center and the establishment of what became the Tri-State Health Planning Board. The DUBUQUE SALVATION ARMY acquired new facilities and the planning arm of United Way was broadened. (5)

Other surveys followed. In 1973 the survey attempted to determine how community service needs were being met by local agencies. Results were then used by United Way for planning and budgeting. The survey found that youth employment and services for the elderly were not being met. Finding that substance abuse programs were insufficient led to the United Way's participation in a drug abuse study in Dubuque and formation of a community task force. United Way felt it could not adequately fund dental care for low-income persons. In 1976 a survey was planned for an estimated one hundred paid professionals who had service-oriented jobs and one hundred persons with jobs that exposed them to a wide-range of community conditions. (6)

The local United Way tried to maintain a fund to assist member agencies needing to make physical repairs to facilities. In 1987, however, the YMCA-YWCA had to ask its members for contributions. United Way reserve funds had been depleted in recent years due to lack of contributions and helping member organizations. (7)

In 1991 the board of trustees of United Way Services Inc. rejected a plan to cap funding to individual local charitable agencies at 10% of the total goal. This plan, had it been implemented, would have cut the Red Cross allocation by $16,500. (8)

In 1993 the organization used its first locally produced video for a fund-raising campaign. In addition to use at service clubs, the video was shown at an agency fair at KENNEDY MALL. Agencies involved in United Way that year included the American Red Cross, ARC of Dubuque Area, DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE, HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES, Hoffmann Industrial Development Center, Legal Services Corp. of Iowa, Little Cloud Girl Scout Council, Mental Health Association of Dubuque County, Pastoral Marriage Counseling Service, Project Concern/Phone-A-Friend Inc., Dubuque Salvation Army, DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION, YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.), and YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.W.C.A.). (9)

In 1995 the organization had its 19th consecutive year of raising more than one million and announced that 30,000 contributors had responded. (10) Grants also played an important role in funding the organization. In 2016 the Dubuque area United Way received $35,000 to expand volunteer services in Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, and Jackson counties. (11) In the same year a grant from the DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION funded the United Way "Sprout Into Reading" program. The project targeted children 5-years old and younger, of low-income families and provided books through partnerships with several other organizations. (12)

Agencies involved in United Way changed. In 2010 included the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Boys' and Girls' Club of Greater Dubuque, Dubuque Community Y, OPENING DOORS, Substance Abuse Services, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE, HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES, Legal Services Corp. of Iowa, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Mental Health America of Dubuque County, Project Concern Inc. and the Dubuque Salvation Army. (13)

United Way became part of the Great Give Day, a 24-hour online event to raise money for local nonprofits. (14) The organization was also renamed United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States.

The 1985 Dubuque City Directory listed 705 DUBUQUE BUILDING.

The 1989 Dubuque City Directory listed 250 Cycare Plaza.

The 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 910 Cycare Plaza.

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Source:

1. "United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States," Online: https://dbqunitedway.org/cms-view-page.php?page=our-history-service-area

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. "Grubb Retiring From United Way," Telegraph-Herald, March 21, 1973, p. 33

6. "United Way Plans Survey on Area Needs." Telegraph Herald, March 10, 1976, p. 8

7. "Y to Ask Members for Roof Repair Money," Telegraph Herald, July 9, 1987, p. 3

8. Batio, Christopher, "United Way Services Board Nixes Plan to Cap Funding," Telegraph Herald, June 29, 1991, p. 13

9. Glindinning, Mary, "Local United Way Video Explains Agency Benefits," Telegraph Herald, September 17, 1993, p. 52

10. Gwiasda, Susan B. "United Way Hits Goal," Telegraph Herald, November 31, 1995, p. 3

11. "Dubuque Area United Way Receives $35,000 Grant," Telegraph Herald, January 13, 2016, p. 3

12. "New United Way Program Helps Children 'Sprout into Reading,' " Telegraph Herald, December 5, 2016, p. 18

13. "United Way Seeks to Raise $1.9 Million for Fourteen Agencies," Telegraph Herald, June 28, 2010, p. 3

14. Advertisement, Telegraph Herald, May 11, 2017, p. 21