The United Way of Central Indiana

• Since 2007, The United Way of Central Indiana has seen a 90 percent increase in calls to their 2-1-1 Help Line. 
• One in three children born in Indiana today is born into an economically disadvantaged household. 
• Many families in Indiana lack access to quality child care. 
• Several children, for various reasons, are not read to on a regular basis (if at all) and therefore begin school at levels far behind those of other children. 
• One in five Marion County 9^th-graders won’t graduate in four years (6,000 children dropped out of school in Central Indiana in the past four years). 

These and other statistics indicate why, for three generations, The Hagerman Group has chosen to partner with The United Way and share in their mission/our vision of reaching out to help Build a Better Future for those in need.    To date, our company as a whole has donated several thousands of dollars to this cause.      

The mission of the United Way is to assist in sustaining vital human services for those who need help most while reducing such needs for future generations.  They seek to complete this mission with the help of over 100 agencies and more than 10,000 volunteers (in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties in Central Indiana, and Allen County in Northern Indiana).  Their priorities include providing basic needs such as food, housing, safety, winter assistance, homelessness intervention, youth and family support; and educational needs such as early literacy, quality child care, kindergarten readiness, reading tutors, enhanced math instruction, and more. 

Under the leadership of Jeff Hagerman, President of The Hagerman Group, we serve the United Way in a variety of capacities for the United Way, including Jeff’s service as Chair of the Professional Portfolio for the 2011 Capital Campaign (3 years running); Member of the Child Care Ministry Task Force, Member of the Success by Six Leadership Council, and various other volunteer programs throughout the year.  On August 24, 2011, Jeff and other United Way Board Members volunteered their time to the United Way Day of Caring, which took place at the Purpose of Life Academy in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Walls were painted to brighten up the rooms, and a “Reading Corner” was created by placing donated bean bag chairs in one corner of the room so the children could enjoy a more focused study area.    

The Hagerman Group has been instrumental in completing at least 24 United Way Daycare / Childcare / Preschool Ministries to date, and are tracking some 30 more ministries to see where we might become involved.  Hagerman has donated construction services to assist with the minor upgrades to the ministries.

On Fridays each week, The Hagerman Group allows its employees to pay $1.00 to wear jeans, with the proceeds going directly to our United Way Fund.  That money is then given as a lump-sum donation at the end of each year.      

The Hagerman Group is proud to be affiliated with the United Way.erever possible.  If you or your organization would like more information about the various programs sponsored by The United Way, or to find out how you can donate, visit their website at uwci.org. 

Linda Cauger

Administrative Assistant