A Reset Year That Makes Us Stronger: What’s Coming Next for United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties By Katie Koglman Every once in a while, you hit a point where you know things have to change not because something is wrong, but because you want to build something stronger. That’s exactly where we are at United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties. We’ve spent nearly seventy years running our grantmaking on a pledged model. People promise donations during campaign season, and we make grant decisions based on those promises. For a long time, that worked. But the world is different now. Donor behavior is different. And the last few years have taught all nonprofits the same lesson: you can’t invest dollars you don’t actually have yet. So we’re taking 2026 to shift into a cash-on-hand model. It’s responsible. It’s transparent. And honestly, it’s overdue. So What Does That Mean Right Now? It means we’re taking the rest of 2025 and 2026 as a reset time. No new grants. No application cycles. No rushing agencies through a process that needs to be redesigned anyway. Our Board of Directors are spending this time rebuilding our criteria, tools, and scoring with intention not just “because that’s how we’ve always done it.” The new, modernized grant cycle will open Spring 2026. Clear, fair, and grounded in the real dollars we have on hand. Our current core community partners have already been awarded unrestricted grants for the start of 2026. But Let Me Be Clear: 2025 Was NOT a Quiet Year Far from it. If anything, this year proved that United Way Wayne and Holmes is at its best when we can respond quickly and fill the gaps others can’t. Your Volunteer Investment Team made big, thoughtful grants in 2025 From behavioral health to crisis services, youth development, addiction recovery, arts access, job support, and more—our volunteers showed up with intention and heart. Providing the following organizations with programmatic funds: · American Red Cross – $30,000 · Anazao Community Partners – $92,724.50 · Catholic Charities – $82,000 · Children’s Advocacy Center – $60,945 · Goodwill Industries – $55,000 · Holmes Center for the Arts – $11,000 · NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties – $33,500 · Learn N Play – $20,000 · OneEighty, Inc. – $135,000 · Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club (Rittman) – $22,500 · Salvation Army – Wooster – $70,000 · The Counseling Center – $58,500 · Viola Startzman Clinic – $100,000 · Wayne County Schools Career Center – $17,560.50 · YMCA – $50,000 · IncludeAbility – $12,500 · Nick Amster, Inc. – $4,050 · Norwayne Local Schools – $4,650 Our Board stepped up with responsive funding We supported after-school care, emergency housing, mobile vaccine access, sensory needs, food programs, and community-led ideas that deserved a boost. Providing the following organizations with timely, need based funding: · Kevin McAllister Fund – $100 · ASPIRE – $100 · Holmes County General Health District (Mobile Vaccine Unit) – $5,000 · West Salem Outreach – Food Assistance – $2,000 · Catholic Charities – $500 (Gifts of Gratitude nomination) · YMCA – Holmes County Before & After School Care – $25,000 · Habitat for Humanity – Holmes County – $7,500 · Knights Academy – Meal Prep Classes – $2,000 · West Holmes Early Intervention – Sensory Furniture – $2,000 · Viola Startzman Clinic – West Salem Expanded Services – $5,000 · Community Action Wayne/Medina – Emergency Housing Assistance – $5,000 · West Holmes Middle School – Shop with a Teacher – $1,250 And Operation SNAP GAP helped local food programs stay afloat With the changes to SNAP benefits, the need has grown and we made sure the following local food pantries had support when they needed it most. · Christ’s Cupboard – $250 · Community Action Wayne/Medina – $1,000 · Crown Hill Mennonite – $250 · Faith Fellowship – $250 · Glenmont Food Pantry – $250 · Homeward Bound – $250 · Lakeville United Methodist – $250 · Millersburg Church of God – $500 · Millersburg First Presbyterian – $250 · People to People Ministries – $250 · Pregnancy Care Center – $250 · Rittman United Methodist – $250 · The Love Center Food Pantry – $250 · The Server – $1,000 · West Salem Outreach – $1,000 · Wooster Hope Center – $250 · YMCA of Wayne County – $250 We didn’t slow down. We just shifted how we moved. Why This Reset Matters (And Why I’m So Proud of It) I’ll say it plainly: This transition makes us better stewards of community dollars. It puts us on stable ground. It lets us invest confidently. And it opens the door for more nonprofits to be part of the process moving forward. Our Board President, Bonnie Ferguson Hall, has been a tremendous partner in this work. Her leadership reflects exactly what we want this reset to stand for: clarity, accountability, and community first. This isn’t about giving less. It’s about giving smarter, stronger, and more sustainably. Looking Ahead to Spring 2026 We’ll roll out clear information early next year about: what the applications will look like eligibility funding priorities how scoring works timelines and deadlines My goal? A process that nonprofits don’t dread and one that reflects the real challenges and opportunities in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Thank You for Trusting Us While We Do This Work You’ve allowed us to hit the reset button for the right reasons. And because of that, we’re going to be able to support more people, more organizations, and more needs in the years ahead. This is a rebuilding year and a strengthening year. The truth? I’ve never been more optimistic about where we’re headed. And I can’t wait for 2026.

Answering the Call: Childcare Solutions for Working Families in Holmes County Imagine being a working parent in Holmes County with no safe, reliable place for your child before or after school. No before- or after-school care options at all. Just a desperate patchwork of relatives, friends, or the rare in-home provider, if you can find one. At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties , we know community needs don’t get solved overnight. Every solution requires two things: A champion – someone to lead the work. Funding – because even the best solutions cost money. Sometimes the same organization fills both roles. More often, it takes years of partnerships and persistence. The Childcare Challenge When I joined United Way in late 2018, one need rose to the surface quickly: childcare. Both Wayne and Holmes Counties face challenges, but Holmes County was especially hard hit. In 2019, the Holmes Center for the Arts stepped up as a champion and launched before- and after-school programs at Millersburg and Killbuck Elementary Schools. Families finally had an option—until COVID disrupted everything and the program faded away. Still, the calls from parents didn’t stop. Families were desperate, not just for childcare, but for affordable childcare. A Champion Steps Forward In early 2025, a group of concerned citizens rallied around this crisis. That’s when the YMCA of Wayne County stepped forward to become our champion- utilizing a group of concerned and caring community members as an advisory board. And it was the right move. The YMCA of Wayne County has decades of experience, trained staff, and a proven track record in childcare. They know how to provide safe, credentialed before- and after-school care programs. Parents can focus on work knowing their kids are cared for. But the second question remained: who will pay for it? The Reality of Family Budgets Some might say, “Parents should just pay for childcare.” But let’s look at the numbers. A survival budget for a family of five (two adults, two school-aged children, one infant) earning $70,000 per year looks like this: Household income: $70,000 Basic survival expenses: $87,600 Budget gap: -$17,600 And that’s just for bare-bones needs like housing, food, transportation, and childcare. It doesn’t even include clothes, school supplies, internet access, or extracurricular activities. Families are working hard, but the math simply doesn’t add up. Side note: Who is Alice? Why does this reference an ALICE Household or ALICE Budget ? Our Role – We Help That’s where United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties steps in. We work alongside the YMCA of Wayne County to provide childcare scholarships for families who are working but earning too much to qualify for government aid—and not nearly enough to make ends meet. In August, our Board of Directors approved a $24,000 grant to the YMCA of Wayne County to launch affordable before- and after-school care in Millersburg. Thanks to this support, parents won’t have to choose between childcare and food. But here’s the truth: $24,000 doesn’t last long. The need is bigger than one grant. You Can Help too… Every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow, and every parent deserves the peace of mind that their kids are cared for. You can be part of the solution. Donate: Text WeHelp to 44-321 or CLICK HERE to support families in our community. Get Involved: Interested in shaping the future of childcare locally? Contact ashley@uwwh.org to join the advisory committee. Together, we can answer both questions: Who will be the champion? Who will pay for it? With your support, the answer is all of us.

If you know me, you know I love my Coke Zero. Every day, like clockwork, I stop at the local gas station to fill my jumbo cup with ice and fizzy joy. It’s a small routine, but one that I look forward to. Last week, as I stepped up to the counter, I noticed the young woman working that morning was gently rubbing her temples, clearly in pain. I paused and asked, “Are you okay?” Her eyes welled up a little as she explained that she had a broken tooth. The pain was constant, and she didn’t have the money to see a dentist. My heart ached for her. I asked if she had transportation, and when she said yes, I told her about the Viola Startzman Clinic in Wooster — a place that offers affordable dental care for people just like her. She blinked in surprise. She had no idea it even existed. I scribbled down the phone number and urged her to call right away. She held the paper like it was gold. Then she looked at me and said, “You’re a Godsend.” As I walked back to my car, I thought about how it only took a minute — one question, one small effort — to change someone’s day, maybe even their life. There were other people in that store. They hadn’t noticed. But I did. And I’m so glad I did. We live in a community rich with resources. But the truth is, people in pain don’t always know where to turn. Sometimes, all they need is a little nudge in the right direction. A moment of kindness. A reminder that someone sees them. This young woman is doing her best, working hard, and showing up every day — even through the pain. She deserved help. And I’m thankful I could offer it. If you ever meet someone who’s struggling, don’t hesitate. Let them know about 2-1-1 — our local, 24/7 resource hotline. One simple call to (330) 263-6363 connects them to a live operator who can guide them toward the help they need. Because kindness costs nothing, but it can mean everything. And here’s the beautiful part — donations made to United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties help make all of this possible. Your support funds the Viola Startzman Dental Clinic, the 2-1-1 resource hotline, and so many other programs that offer real help to real people. When you give, you’re not just donating — you’re changing lives.

Crayons, Compassion & Community: My First Month at United Way

Celebrating 30 Years of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library This year, I was honored to attend the virtual Homecoming Conference celebrating the 30th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library . As the Local Program Partner that fundraises for our program in Holmes and Wayne Counties, I was excited to participate—even if I was a little disappointed the event wasn’t held in person at Dollywood. Still, I committed to making the most of the experience by actively engaging in sessions and discussions throughout the event. The conference offered a wide range of sessions, from strategies to strengthen relationships with local public libraries to creative ways to boost enrollment. One of the highlights for me was connecting with fellow program partners not only from across the U.S. but also from the UK, Canada, Scotland, and Australia. It was both inspiring and energizing to share stories and best practices with peers from around the globe, all united by the same mission: to get books into the hands of children. One of the biggest takeaways from the three-day virtual event was the importance of celebrating how far we’ve come. When our United Way launched the Imagination Library in 2019, Holmes County had zero children enrolled. Today, we have 1,629 current participants and 1,362 graduates. Wayne County shows similar success, with 3,924 children currently enrolled and more than 4,100 graduates. That’s over 11,000 children who’ve been directly impacted by this program! Those numbers are impressive, but the real question is: what do they mean for our children and our community? Cincinnati Children’s Hospital reminds us that children aren’t born with a reading network—it must be built through exposure and practice. Reading aloud to young children strengthens their language development and cognitive growth. By age three, a child’s brain is already 80% developed. Imagination Library provides families with the tools to support this crucial development—at no cost to them. That’s nothing short of amazing. As the conference wrapped up, I felt refreshed, motivated, and more enthusiastic than ever about the work we’re doing. The connections I’ve made through the network of Local Program Partners have deepened my sense of support and community. This work matters. I see it in my own children who are enrolled in Imagination Library. I hear it from families across Holmes and Wayne Counties. And it’s reflected in the data for the young readers who participate in this program across the world. So, if you have a child under 5 in your life, check today that they are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. And if they aren’t enrolled, sign them up today! Go to www.uwwh.org/get-books It’s free, fulfilling, and most importantly, it’s fun 😊.

From Grandma to Goal-Getter: My goal setting journey, Part 2

Growing up, I had a complicated relationship with reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading various chapter books or series, ranging from the Arthur to The Baby Sitter’s Club to A Child Called “It” series. But once I reached middle school, many of the English classes I attended had required reading for the course, and the requirement meant reading was no longer an option, but rather it was mandatory, and to take notes, and to be tested on the material! The required reading lists often burned me out, leaving me disinterested in picking up a book for pleasure. I would go through phases of wanting to read more, but the enthusiasm was often short-lived. As an adult I have really tried to be intentional with reading. As someone who has made a New Year’s Resolution to “read more” the last 6 years, I have really tried to focus on finding what genres interest me because when I do, I do in fact “read more,” and I like it! It also makes me happy. I feel like I have more to talk about in conversations and enjoy the dialogue reading a book brings, along with the mental break it provides me from daily life. As a parent of two young children, I have really tried to make it a priority to foster a love of reading in my kids. I encourage them to choose the books we read, and to take it a step further, I have also been intentional that my children also SEE me reading. Reading books for my own enjoyment. I want them to remember that reading isn't just something we do together, but also something we can do for ourselves. It’s a form of self-care and can really help our health-our MENTAL health. Literacy plays a critical role in children's mental well-being. Research from Scholastic and the Yale Child Study Center-Scholastic Collaborative for Child & Family Resilience highlights the powerful influence of books and literacy on mental health. It shows that a love of reading can boost self-esteem, increase empathy, and mitigate anxiety and depression. Reading can introduce children to different types of people from all walks of life, and not only that, introducing children to different points of view, perspectives, ideas and ways of life. This exploration can foster creativity and imagination and innovation – traits that are needed for our community to evolve and grow. And this exploration can provide an opportunity to show that no matter your thoughts, you are not alone in them. By modeling reading, I hope to instill in my children the understanding that books, while educational tools, are also powerful allies in maintaining mental health. Our brain, just like anything else in the body, needs exercise. And we have the power to put the book down or keep turning the page. Whether it’s going to library to pick out our selections, or borrowing books through the Libby app, I challenge you to give yourself a moment of escape with a side of perspective that a good book can bring. Then, track your progress through Wayne County Public Library’s Beanstack app to follow your book journey. This action has truly helped me prioritize reading for my mental well-being while also instilling the love of reading in my children so they too can create a balance for their own mental health.

One Tast at a Time: The K2 Effect

In honor of Dr. Suess, we celebrate Lisa Nyhart, our Director of Finance and Operations.