Running head: INTERNSHIP AGENCY REPORT 1

United Way of Delaware Agency Report

Kayla Zahide Fuller

Wilmington University

Guided Practicum

AHS8100

Shavonne Brathwaite

2/9/2017
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Abstract

This paper explores The United Way of Delaware and the purpose and impact of the

organization. The information contained in this report will refer to both historical and current

information pertaining to the organization. An organizations structure, which includes anything

from the mission to the funding, is fundamental to its efficient functioning. By exploring the

United Way of Delaware (UWDE) and its identity components, will assist in the better

understanding the organization as a whole. By exploring the functioning and the mission of the

United Way of Delaware, will uncover the meaning of both the values and philosophy of the

organization.
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United Way of Delaware Agency Report

MISSION

The United Way of Delaware (UWDE) is a historical organization located in Delaware

that has been apart of impacting communities through out all counties of the state for over 70

years. The organization aims to be the bridge gap for the states diverse communities by

collaborating and partnering with other statewide businesses, social service agencies, community

organizations, academic organizations, and other individuals that may be in need. There are three

areas in which the United Way of Delaware focuses on which are Early Education, College and

Career Readiness, and Financial Stability.

The United Way of Delawares mission statement is to maximize the communitys

resources to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans (UnitedWayofDelaware,2017).

With this mission statement, the United Way of Delaware assists the Delaware community

overall in eliminating the root causes of the current day social trends and or issues that are

negatively impacting the community. The intended purpose of the agency and its mission is to

create solutions in order to steer for impactful change and encouragement throughout the

community.

DEMOGRAPHICS

The United Way of Delaware includes a diverse demographic spectrum among the

various people of the communities that are served. The United Way of Delaware has several

programs in which serve different populations. The United Way of Delaware has a non-

discrimination policy that safeguards the services to all genders, races, religions, sexes,

disabilities, cultures, ages, and sexual orientation.

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There are also specific groups within the organization that support various demographics

such as PRIDE Council in which consist of addressing the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ

population. When taking a look at the communitys specific demographics within the community

of Delaware, African Americans and Hispanics are the two populations that are in the most need

of continued services by the United Way of Delaware according to their current and historic

trends.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The United Way of Delaware is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against any

employee or applicant of services regardless of any category that they may fall in. This policy

also entails the recognition of equal employment and volunteer opportunities. The policy also

prohibits the retaliation against any form of discrimination.

The United Way of Delaware has a Commitment Policy that entails the organizations

recognition of maintaining a diverse environment that fairly represents the community as a

whole within the state of Delaware. This also involves carrying out equal opportunities for all

members of the community regardless of their specific needs.

GOVERNANCE & STRUCTRE

The United Way of Delaware is governed mainly by the executive leadership team, which

consists of four individuals. Michelle Taylor serves as the CEO and president of the United Way

of Delaware. Jerry Hunter serves directly under Michelle Taylor as the Chief Operating officer.

Jamee Boone serves as the Chief of Staff followed by Tyrone Jones who has the title of Chief

Impact Officer. Serving above the executive team are the executive committee officers in which

consist of the board and chair members of the United Way of Delaware.

FUNDING
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The United Way of Delaware is a non-for-profit organization, which falls under the return

of organization tax exemption known as the 990 form. Within the tax exemption document, it

reports the organizations activities, revenues, expenses and net assets of the company. Under the

statement of revenue section in the document, it is able to show more detailed sources of

revenue. The main revenues of the United Way of Delaware are as follows: federated campaigns,

membership dues, fundraising events, related organizations, government grants, gifts, and

donations. There are also other revenues that play a smaller role within the company such as

administration fees, member agency fees, investment income, and other miscellaneous funds that

are recorded. The United Way of Delawares 990 form is located directly on their website under

the financial tablet

The United Way of Delawares financial statement as well as the auditing report is also

available on the United Way of Delaware website. This document goes into details regarding the

independent auditors report as well as financial statements. The financial statements that are

included in the document include statements of financial position, statement of activities,

statement of financial expenses, and statements of cash flows. This financial statement document

also provides information about how United Way function under a fiscal year, which began July

1st 2015 and ended June 30th for the year of 2016.

PARTNERSHIPS

Human service organizations frequently work together in order to accomplish common

goals within the community. These organizations even create an interdependent support network

for the community. Part of the mission of the United Way of Delaware is to maximize resources

to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans (UnitedWayofDelaware,2017). This

mission incudes partnering with other organizations, especially those of a smaller capacity, in
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order for United Way to be able to bridge the gap for endless opportunities and resources. The

United way has over 130 partnership agencies through out the state of Delaware in which they

collaborate with to better serve the community.

STREGTHS, TRENDS, AND CHALLENGES

There are three strategic areas of focus that guides the United Ways community

commitment to Delaware. These areas were distinguished as the core areas due to the findings

based off of the needs within the communities as a whole. The three areas are as follows;

Foundation for Educational Success, Youth Development Leading to College and/or Career

Readiness, and Economic Stability and Financial Empowerment.

These three areas of strategic planning are based within the promising communities of

the state of Delaware. These communities of promise are areas in the state in which have the

need for support and engagement. It is with a high level of understanding that these communities

of promise are determined appropriate in their need for a committed focus for improvement.

One of the trends that the United Way of Delaware is currently focusing on is the

Economic Empowerment and Financial Stability. The issue that the community is facing is that

Delawareans are living at or near poverty level in which they are pressured by employment

instability and either have a lack of sufficient education or vocational training. This trend also

focuses on how the stress of poverty also creates unemployment, crime, incarceration, divorces,

and homelessness. United Way of Delaware has created programs in order to better empower the

community and to make a positive impact within the current trend.

THE INTERNSHIP ROLE

The job summary of a United Way of Delaware intern is as follows: While specific

projects and/or tasks will vary based on division, all efforts are strategically aligned, designed,
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and exist for the purpose of supporting the overall vision, mission, goals, and mantra (Give,

Advocate, Volunteer) of the organization (UnitedWayofDelaware,2017). Within this

description of the internship follows various written expectations and outcomes for all nine areas

of the company. These areas include Resource Development, Finance, Marketing, Community

Engagement, Community Impact, Administration, Human Resources, Delaware 211, and the

Executive Division.

Aside from the written description of the United Way of Delaware internship, there is an

internship expectation checklist above the internship workplace. The checklist is a way to

communicate the unofficial expectations of a United Way intern. The checklist includes valuing

time, showing initiative, learning teamwork, and working fairly. The checklist also states that an

intern is expected to learn something in the internship experience that one can apply not only to

the classroom or the work setting, but also within oneself for the purpose of better oneself. The

list ends with two final points; Dont let adversity stop you, and Dont take the internship for

granted. This unwritten list was produced by a group of interns themselves who made the most

out of their experience at United Way of Delaware.

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References

Kiser, P. M., & Kiser, P. M. (2008). The human services internship: getting the most from your

experience. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

UnitedWayofDelaware.(n.d.).RetrievedFebruary05,2017,fromhttp://uwde.org/