Staying healthy both physically and mentally is essential to living a great life. Without good health, people face roadblocks around employment and education and are unable to become their best selves. Healthy communities are strong communities, so we must work to improve health and wellbeing county-wide. 

1:2,360

Mower County has a higher medical provider to population ratio compared to the state and national averages.

51%

of incarcerated individuals served by Mower County's Community Resource Navigator did not have health insurance.
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United Way of Mower County is fighting to improve the health for every individual within our community. UWMC is strengthening Mower County through our funded partners. 
Examples of Impact in 2024...

2,500+

individuals served through health care services

1,500+

children received dental treatment at low or no cost

success stories.

Adams Area Ambulance Service
I have been a member of the Adams Ambulance for almost a year. I remember talking to my aunt and uncle, who are also members of the Adams Ambulance, about joining the team. I could tell how much they loved what they did, and I wanted to experience that too. Although the schooling and tests were sometimes difficult and stressful, I successfully earned my EMT certification. It's one of the best decisions and accomplishments I have made. 

​I have always known that the Adams EMT/EMR crew were the best, but it really hit home when my mom had her heart attack. When I got to her side that night in the emergency department, I remember her being so scared and feeling helpless about what was happening to her. It broke my heart that I could not help my mom with her pain. My mom ended up getting a stent placed that morning. She is on her way to a full recovery.
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Adams Area Ambulance Rose Creek Fire Training 2024
The following days in the hospital mom told me about the Adams Ambulance crew who were by her side first. How rapidly they responded to the call. How even though she was scared and in a lot of pain they were doing everything possible to get her the help she needed. I am so grateful for them getting to my mom quickly and helping her that night. This happened only a month into my classes and training. The situation only motivated me more to continue with my education and training to become an EMT. I want to help people just as they helped my mom during her frightening life changing experience.
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My first call on training happened to be a teenage girl who was in an ATV accident. Seeing the EMT/EMR's all jump in and work together was something I will never forget. Although it was an intense and serious situation, they stayed calm and were skillful in taking care of the girl. This is because our crew have had the best training and resources to be efficient and skilled in these situations. My training and experiences with the Adams Ambulance team are a valued part of me giving back to the community. I continue to learn with each call I go on and from our training sessions we have once a month. I am grateful to be a part of something so important to our community. The United Way contributions keep our equipment up to date as well as our education resources so we may continue learning and improve our skills. In turn, we can give our community the best care and emergency services they deserve.
Crime Victims Resource Center
We received a call from a transgender individual who was fleeing from a violent relationship. She had plans to get to California but needed a safe place to stay as she had significant safety concerns regarding her ex-boyfriend and his friends seeking her out. We coordinated with a local hotel and utilized our emergency funds to finance her stay until she was able to meet with the friend that was picking her up.

The following Sunday (three days later), we got a call from the ER regarding an individual who had been sexually assaulted, they asked that an advocate come to the ER to assist, as they were preparing to do a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam. As they provided some information on the case, the advocate realized that the victim was the woman we placed in the hotel just a few days prior. An advocate from our agency responded and provided emotional support, education, and assisted the nurses with making the client as comfortable as possible. As we were waiting for the SANE nurse to arrive, the client expressed that she hadn’t eaten and was very hungry, so we purchased food and drink for her. In addition to being sexually assaulted, the client’s plans to go to California fell through and she had nowhere to go, this was causing added stress for her. The advocate contacted Day One (a statewide program that helps with securing shelter) and found a shelter in Minneapolis that had a bed available. We called the shelter, explained the assistance that was needed for this individual and ensured that she would qualify for their services. After confirming she would be a good fit, we purchased a Greyhound bus ticket for the client to get to the shelter the next day. The client expressed concern that she had to turn her clothing over to law enforcement as part of their evidence collection and therefore had nothing to wear. The advocate took her to Walmart and again utilized our emergency funds to purchase a warm coat, pants and some other necessities.

The following day, we provided transportation to the bus pick-up location in Albert Lea. During the drive, we gave her food and water and reviewed the bus route with her, so she felt confident knowing what to do.

Thankfully the individual that assaulted her was quickly apprehended by local law enforcement. As the criminal justice process has unfolded, we have provided her with victim rights information as well as court advocacy. She has asked that the advocate who responded to the SANE exam accompany her to all meetings with the prosecutors to ensure that she is comfortable. She states that she feels much safer knowing someone is there who has been with her since the beginning.
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She reports that she is now in a safe place, can focus on her health and healing, and has expressed a lot of appreciation for what we did for her during those few days. Our advocacy with her will continue throughout the duration of the criminal case.

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