As a child, Rachel Guerin saw her father help many people. Sometimes, she was frustrated that she spent so much time looking for the desires of others. said Wednesday, July 27 at the Kiwanis Club assembly in Jonesboro.
Guerin was named executive director of the United Way of Northeast Arkansas in January.
“It’s a new role for me,” he said.
United Way of Northeast Arkansas has been around for over 65 years. United Way has recently budgeted more than 20 local nonprofit systems focused on the areas of education, health and monetary stability. The United Way of Northeast Arkansas lately serves all or part of nine counties: Clay, Craighead, Cross, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Poinsett, Randolph and Mississippi.
Last week, the organization allocated more than $301,000 in grants to nonprofits for a variety of systems and projects. Those who have won grants include The Children’s Shelter, Northeast Arkansas Food Pantry, Breaking Bonds, House in the Second and Third Judicial Districts, and many others.
There have been a number of new issues the organization has detected since the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, he told Talk Business.
The isolation of the pandemic has led to an increase in the number of other people suffering from intellectual fitness issues. The challenge in this regard is the lack of resources, he added.
“It’s very alarming. There are many other people in crisis,” he said. “We’re starting to see serious disruptions due to COVID. “
One thing she noticed when she became a director is that the nonprofits she’s helping in the domain are smart at offering services, but it’s complicated for those organizations to talk to each other. A new program, called 211, will make it easier for those nonprofits to collaborate with each other and with those in need.
For example, if a circle of relatives calls and wants food and educational assistance, it would possibly take two that have more organizations to fulfill those wishes. People in need can also touch the 211 program. This will optimize a lot of what’s already done, she said.
Another challenge that evolved from the pandemic was United Way’s investment resources. Much of their investment came from office donation programs. When corporations started sending home painters to work or had to fire them, that source of investment plummeted. Corporate and occasional donations were able to offset some of this relaxation.
Prior to working with United Way, Guerin served as Associate Director of Planned Giving for the Arkansas/Oklahoma Division of the Salvation Army. She also served as Executive Director of Market Development for the March of Dimes. Guerin has years of experience in development, volunteer control and strategic planning.
Guerin has volunteered at Downtown Jonesboro Alliance, st. Bernard’s NICU, Northeast Arkansas Food Bank and Jonesboro Young Professionals Network. She is from northeastern Arkansas and lately lives in Jonesboro.
United Way will hold several fundraising events in the coming months. On August 6, the organization will hold its annual “Stuff the Bus” school materials campaign. The occasion of the “Day of Care” will take place on September 30. brought in combination to do beautification and other projects for non-profit organizations in the region.
A favorite tale that describes how he perceives non-profit paintings is the tale of Boy and the Starfish.
One day, a child was walking along the beach and every time he encountered a starfish, he threw it back into the sea. A boy saw what he was doing and asked why.
“The tide is going down and if I don’t throw them back into the sea, they will die,” the boy replied.
The boy explained to the boy that there were miles and miles of beach and thousands of starfish. I couldn’t tell the difference. The boy, holding a starfish, threw it into the ocean.
“I made one for that one,” he said.
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