If education, financial stability, and health are the pillars of a good quality of life, then basic needs are the foundation. Without basic needs, kids struggle to focus in school, adults aren't able to be at work consistently, and reaching everyone's full potential is impossible. Together we strive to stabilize lives. 

35.6%

of households have one or no vehicle

48.1%

of rented houses within Mower County are considered cost-burdened
SOURCE
United Way of Mower County believes that every individual within Mower County deserves basic needs such as food, shelter, and safety. 
Through 2022 funding...

15,000+

individuals received food support

2,700+

community members received advocacy support

success stories.

Immigrant law center of minnesota
"Gadisa Birhanu has been working with ILCM to obtain US citizenship since May of 2021. Gadisa’s father came to the United States first, became a citizen, and invited Gadisa to leave Ethiopia and come join him in Austin. Gadisa went to high school at Austin High School, and is currently attending Riverland Community College. He is now seeking US Citizenship to ensure he can petition for his mother to join them in Minnesota. ILCM’s services will not only provide Gadisa with the lifelong benefits of citizenship, but also make it possible to reunite a family that has lived apart for years in pursuit of better opportunities. We estimate that each of our cases impacts an average of three individuals. While this is typically realized in the benefits children obtain from a parent gaining immigration status, Gadisa’s case highlights that the work funded by the United Way of Mower County also has the potential to support entire families."
Salvation Army
"One of our homeless participants, who comes to several of our programs, came for the Community Meal. When a volunteer asked him if he was finished with "his" tray, he replied "it isn't mine, I have nothing. But the food on the tray is mine that I have as my own, because I get to choose what I want to eat each evening the food is mine. I don't have to worry about fixing it, or settling on something I don't like just because I have no way to prepare it or the money to buy it.""

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