IMPROVING HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Good health is an essential ingredient for individual success and a thriving community. Healthy kids are more likely to succeed in school. The whole community will flourish when all of our residents have access to physical and mental health resources.
Our Goals
Increase access to physical, mental and health care
Improving access to primary medical, behavioral and physical healthcare: individuals have access to necessary preventive, mental, physical, dental, and other health care services that are provided in a coordinated way to produce the best health results.
Prevent or Mitigate the Loss of Independence
Promoting Independence: aging adults and differently-abled people have access to a full continuum of support services, including transportation assistance, in-home programs, social engagement, nutritious meals, and health education.
What We're Doing
In our experience, no single agency or program can improve health outcomes alone. Along the Health pathway, individuals and families can find resources and tools to improve their health and well-being. Through partner programs, initiatives, and collaborations, we're helping individuals live healthy lives.
Impact Partners
United Way’s Health pathway strategically provides resources for individuals and families to live healthy lives. Through our partner programs and services, we're helping individuals living with health conditions, disabilities, dependency, and mental illness.
BIGFORK VALLEY
Assisted Transportation: Providing transportation services that help meet the health and wellness needs of aging adults.
ELDERCIRCLE
Adult Day Respite: Providing respite care for caregivers and a safe, supportive environment for people who require supervised care.
Assisted Transportation: Providing transportation to health appointments for aging adults.
In-Home Support Services: Providing companionship, respite to caregivers, home-making and home management help, as well as assistance with personal cares.
RSVP Volunteer Program: Providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for ages 55 and over for the betterment of their community and themselves.
Home Visitor Program: Providing aging services, community resource education, health assessments, and safety.
ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA
Active Living Center: Multi-generational space that offers educational, recreational, social, and wellness programming for ages 55 and over.
ITASCA WELLNESS COURT
Recovery: A rehabilitation program, combining alcohol and drug treatment, sobriety testing, and monitoring to break the cycle of addiction for offenders.
KIESLER WELLNESS CENTER
Mental Health: A peer-driven community supporting recovery for individuals impacted by mental illness and promoting physical and mental wellness.
PROJECT CARE
Free Outpatient Clinic: Providing access to care, preventative education, and advocacy services for the uninsured and underinsured.
United Way Initiatives
5-2-1-0 PLAYSTATIONS
5-2-1-0 PlayStations, a United Way of 1000 Lakes initiative, are installed in local community parks including:
- McGarry Park (Bigfork)
Portage Park (Cohasset),
Longyear Park (Coleraine)
Ryan Flood Memorial Park (Grand Rapids)
Veteran’s Park (Marble)
Boxes are equipped with sporting gear and park art supplies. Contents include jump ropes, kick balls, soccer balls, frisbees, sidewalk chalk, and more! PlayStations operate like a lending library for residents to enjoy while at their local park. Park visitors are encouraged to use the contents of the boxes to play, make new friends, and even come up with new games. When they are finished, PlayStation users are expected to return the equipment to the box for the next visitor to enjoy.
PlayStations are largely supported through a grant from Kimberly Clark’s Depend brand, and endorse the 5-2-1-0 initiative by encouraging kids and families to spend time engaging in outdoor activities. 5-2-1-0 is a program that promotes healthy lifestyles by increasing exercise, limiting screen time, and encouraging healthy eating choices for the whole family.
By providing free access to various park equipment through the PlayStation initiative, United Way of 1000 Lakes is encouraging local community members to spend time engaging in daily activity and is taking steps towards a healthier Itasca County community.
For more information, about 5-2-1-0 PlayStations, including adopting a PlayStation, sponsoring a new box, and donating sports equipment, call 218-999-7570.
Community Collaborations
FAMILYWIZE
FamilyWize is a free prescription drug discount card program. There is no application fee, no age, income or citizenship restrictions. It covers everyone with no health insurance or prescription drug coverage. Cards can be used immediately and as often as needed by all family members. 30% average savings.
Go to the website and print off a prescription drug discount card. The website lists all participating pharmacies as well as a savings pricing tool.
THE CHALLENGE
Good health is an essential ingredient for individual success and a thriving community. Healthy kids are more likely to succeed in school. The whole community will flourish when all of our residents have access to physical and mental health resources.
211
Mental Health is the most requested needs through 2-1-1
12.1%
of Itasca County adults report poor or fair general health
21%
of the area's population is aged 65+
Improving Health and Well-being
is just one part of our three pillar approach to improving lives. Check out our other focus areas: