Signs of Hope: United for a Stronger Community
Have you seen the red, blue, and yellow United Is The Way signs that grace the lawns and parking lots of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and schools? Do you know what they mean and why they are important? Those signs represent more than a fundraising campaign — they symbolize unity, compassion, and the shared belief that together, we can make life better for everyone who calls the Ohio Valley home.
United Way of the Ohio Valley is tasked each year with raising over $1.2 million to fund critical services across our region. The requests we receive from partner agencies often exceed this amount — a powerful reminder of how great the need truly is. We fund more than 25 programs in six counties — Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster — and these agencies depend on UWOV to keep vital services available for the people who need them most.
Every dollar entrusted to United Way stays local and supports real, life-changing programs. For example, domestic and sexual violence services offer counseling and advocacy for survivors starting over after trauma. Safe, affordable childcare and after-school programs allow parents to stay employed while giving children a strong, healthy start. Substance abuse treatment centers help individuals on the path to recovery reclaim their lives and reconnect with their families. Senior citizen services deliver meals, companionship, and socialization to older adults who might otherwise be isolated. We also work toward the reduction of homelessness and expand access to affordable housing, providing families with stability, safety, and opportunity. Emergency shelter is available to those in immediate crisis, keeping them off the streets, providing nutrition, medical services, and much-needed guidance to get them back on their feet.
The needs are real — and they are growing. Across our region, too many of our neighbors are struggling to find stable housing, access adequate healthcare, or secure affordable childcare. Rising costs and limited resources mean that more families are one unexpected event away from crisis. Our work focuses on the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms. At UWOV, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to thrive, and collective giving makes that possible.
When we pool our resources together, we make strategic, data-informed decisions about where funds can have the greatest impact. We hold ourselves — and our partners — accountable for measurable improvement in the lives of people we serve. This collective responsibility is what sets United Way apart. It’s not about one organization doing good work; it’s about an entire community united for lasting change.
Our communities and country can feel divided right now. We all have our own opinions, beliefs, and experiences that shape the way we see the world. Even in disagreement, there is something powerful that unites us: a shared belief that people deserve the chance to thrive. The signs are there that call us to action. How will you respond? Talk to others — your employer, your co-worker, your family member, your friend, your neighbor— about how you can be part of something bigger than yourself that ultimately brings about a better life for all of us.
Our impact doesn’t stop at county lines. United Way of the Ohio Valley is proud to be part of a global network of United Ways that serve communities across more than 30 countries. Each year, the United Way network raises over $2 billion, serving millions of people across the globe. Together, we represent one of the most trusted and effective philanthropic movements in the world.
This year, United Way Worldwide was recognized as #1 on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “America’s Favorite Charities” list, which ranks U.S. nonprofits that raise the most in gifts of cash and stock. The goal of the list is to highlight cause-driven organizations that earn strong, direct financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. United Way’s top ranking is proof of its continued relevance, integrity, and impact — a network rooted in trust and effectiveness.
United Way of the Ohio Valley is honored to be part of this extraordinary movement and to work alongside fellow United Ways across Kentucky and the United States. It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about transforming lives and communities. UWOV is a great investment in the well-being of our neighbors — an investment that yields hope, health, and opportunity.
The challenges we face as a region are real, and they are not easily solved. Every gift, every volunteer hour, and every conversation about what matters most brings us one step closer to a thriving community. The road ahead will require continued collaboration, compassion, and commitment, but we know what’s possible when people come together.
Every sign you see, every workplace campaign, every act of giving represents a thread in the fabric of our shared community. Those signs represent you — the people who believe in the power of community. When you see those red, blue, and yellow United Is The Way signs, think about the lives behind them — the child who has a safe place to learn, the mother who finds refuge from abuse, the senior who receives a warm meal, and the family who now has a home of their own. Those signs tell a story of hope — your story, our story — and the story of what’s possible when we are united.
Will you be part of the giving, part of the hope, part of the heart, part of our thriving community? Because United is the Way to transform lives and create lasting change!
By Paula Yevincy
President and CEO
United Way of the Ohio Valley
October 2025
For Messenger-Inquirer