The third coast - MI community thrives project sponsored by united way of northwest michigan addresses the shared anti-poverty impact areas of united way worldwide and the corporation for national and…

The third coast - MI community thrives project sponsored by united way of northwest michigan addresses the shared anti-poverty impact areas of united way worldwide and the corporation for national and community service in the impact areas of economic opportunity, education, and healthy futures. United way nwmi has three primary approaches to achieve the overarching goals in each of the impact areas. 1. Utilizing social capital (ADVOCACY), 2. Financial capital (DONATIONS) and 3. Human capital (VOLUNTEERS). We target populations living in poverty and alice populations (asset limited, income constrained but employed, often referred to as the working poor). United way of NW MI works with area nonprofits as partners to achieve our goals. The vista project helps united way nwmi provide additional support to area nonprofits to help them build the capacity and long-term sustainability of impact based projects. Our region, indeed our country is facing a new normal. Our current situation is the number of covid-19 cases and deaths are on the rise. MI ranks 10 for highest population and sadly, ranks number 3 for positive covid-19 cases. The unemployment rates are changing daily but the news is not good. The vista project will help US prepare for a post pandemic reality as our projects will address the learning loss created by an early closure of schools, supporting early childhood and child care programs that provide a critical safety net for parents as they seek to return to the workforce. The mission of united way of northwest michigan is to connect and mobilize the caring power of our local communities to advance the common good. Impact areas as previously mentioned are health, education, and economic opportunity. The longer the shelter in place order stands the more challenging IT will be to mount a rapid response plan. Our history of community collaboration and legacy of lasting impacts places united way in a unique position to mobilize vistas for post pandemic response. The vista project will require all host sites to address post pandemic challenges for each placement. The expansion to all 10 counties in nwmi; antrim, benzie, kalkaska, leelanau, manistee, missaukee, wexford, charlevoix, grand traverse and emmett counties is timely as the economies and safety net services are woven through this ten county region. The synergy and partnerships will be relevant and rigorous, building upon existing helping networks and creating new partnerships for efficiency and effectiveness. We are requesting sixteen (16) vista members and one (1) vista leader for a total of seventeen (17) members for the 15 month MA term 06/21/2020-09/11/2021. Americorps vista members will be placed in non-profit and government agency host sites within the ten-county region.