We believe collective well-being starts with feeling supported, connected, and cared for.
Strong communities are built when people feel connected and cared for. Our Collective Well-Being work makes sure everyone has safe places, healthy food, and chances to be part of something bigger. When people feel supported and included, our community becomes safer, healthier, and full of opportunity for all.
United Way of Story County is committed to meeting basic needs while fostering 15,000 meaningful connections by 2030 through investments in:
We believe collective well-being starts with feeling supported, connected, and cared for. By working with local partners, we help make sure people have access to essentials like food, housing, and mental health resources. When everyone’s basic needs are met and people feel a sense of belonging, our whole community becomes stronger and more resilient.
NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess financial education in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.
In Story County, more than 18,500 people live below the poverty line, making it difficult to afford life’s basic needs like food, housing, transportation, and health care:
Invest in programs and resources that help people meet basic needs including:
These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for people living in Story County:
The 211 helpline is a free, confidential service that connects individuals to vital local resources 24/7. By dialing 2-1-1 or searching online, users can instantly find support for essential needs like housing assistance, food programs, utility aid, and healthcare. Instead of forcing people to navigate multiple agencies, it acts as a single, streamlined gateway to local non-profits and government assistance during times of crisis.
United Way of Story County strengthens local mental health support by investing in a robust network of specialized partner agencies rather than relying on a single program. By allocating critical funding and fostering collaboration, they empower key organizations like YSS, NAMI Central Iowa, Eyerly Ball, and Lutheran Services in Iowa to deliver targeted care. This collective approach ensures residents have access to a full spectrum of mental health resources—ranging from professional therapy and mobile crisis intervention to peer-led support groups and family education—creating a stronger, more resilient safety net across the county
Volunteering with United Way of Story County is one of the most direct ways to create lasting change right here at home. By coordinating both individual and corporate volunteer efforts, they connect passionate community members with critical projects across Ames and the surrounding towns—whether that means packing weekend food sacks for students, distributing books to local classrooms, or helping maintain facilities for essential partner agencies. Through signature events like the annual Day of Action and a localized online volunteer center, they bridge the gap between people who want to give back and the non-profits that need hands-on support to keep Story County thriving.
United Way of Story County targets the root causes of household instability by investing heavily in nutrition and housing security. Through strategic funding and initiatives like the annual LIVE UNITED Food Drive, they supply local shelves and support programs like the BackPack Program to combat childhood hunger. Simultaneously, they back critical partner agencies—including The Bridge Home, MICA, and Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance—to provide emergency rent, utility aid, and shelter. By bridging the gap between immediate hunger relief and long-term housing stabilization, United Way ensures that families across the county have a reliable safety net to stay fed, housed, and secure.
