United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

Mission

Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to advance equity and the common good. 

Bottom Line

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Every child deserves the chance to grow, learn, and dream. And when life takes an unexpected turn, no family should have to face a crisis alone. We fund and lead solutions that make a direct difference: helping families stay housed, providing emergency support when crises strikes, connecting children and parents to early learning opportunities, strengthening disaster resilience, and mobilizing volunteers to meet community needs. Your gift isn't just a donation. It's a hand up, a moment of hope, and a reminder that no one must face a difficult time alone.

Quote

"Across our community, hardworking families are doing everything they can to make ends meet, yet too many are still struggling to afford the basics. These are our neighbors, our coworkers, and our friends. Being ALICE isn’t a personal failing; it’s our community failing. But it's one we can solve together. When we come together as donors, partners, volunteers, and neighbors, we can help a family stay in their home, give a child a strong start, and make sure no one has to face life’s hardest moments alone. That’s the power of community." 

- Kelly O'Lague, President and CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

Partner(s)

PNC Bank - PNC, one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the U.S., has invested in the communities and people it serves for more than 160 years. As a partner of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette they help spread the word about how we create stability, opportunity and stronger futures for ALICE families in the Portland metro area.

Youth, Rights & Justice - Youth, Rights & Justice advances the rights of children, parents, and families through advocacy in the courts, schools, legislature, and community and has been Oregon's leading nonprofit juvenile public defense provider since 1975. They partner with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette's housing team to identify families who need support to stay safely and stably housed.

Reading Results - Reading Results believes literacy is a basic human right and partners with schools to help students from systemically excluded communities become successful readers. They join United Way of the Columbia-Willamette in building a strong foundation for early readers, complementing our work with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to mail free, high-quality books every month to children from birth to age five so they arrive at school ready to learn.