United Way International serves as a central source of information and assistance for chapters of the organization located around the world. At present, United Way primarily focuses on three main initiatives: education, income, and health. Through a variety of programs, the organization hopes to give all children the opportunity for a quality education, increase the ability of families around the world to earn a sustainable income, and encourage greater access to essential healthcare. In addition, United Way International works with local chapters to meet the individual needs of various communities. For example, United Way of Russia recently teamed with the country’s Service of Pedagogical Support to Minors in order to help at-risk youth. Working together, the two organizations created a number of new events designed to encourage greater participation of at-risk youth in their local communities and strengthen the familial bonds between them and their parents. Other events promoted legal awareness and taught at-risk youth about the various educational opportunities available to them.
United Way of Trinidad and Tobago has also reached out to a number of children through its Uniquely Worthy program. The initiative encourages personal empowerment through hands-on self-awareness training. The program focuses on equipping children with the tools necessary to achieve success in their lives, increasing their confidence in their own abilities.
United Way International additionally supports cultural and environmental awareness. Recently, United Way Bengaluru participated in a lake-a-thon called “Wake the Lake.” The event, which took place at Kaikondrahalli Lake, galvanized members from the immediate community to remove trash from the lake and plant trees in the surrounding area. Wake the Lake emphasized the importance of the ecological systems that lakes provide to those who live near them and expounded upon the urgency of keeping our water clean. In addition, those in attendance learned how to revive other dying lakes in the region and how to rally others to do their part.
About the Author
Charles McKirahan currently works toward his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University. When not studying, he focuses on serving his local and global communities. In addition to donating blood and volunteering his time to Meals on Wheels, Charles McKirahan regularly contributes to United Way International.
