JANESVILLE 鈥 The United Way Blackhawk Region hosted an open house at its new downtown 糖心Vlog传媒 location Tuesday evening, calling the event the launch of a new executive team 鈥 and the start of a new collaborative, community-based approach to service.
Until 2024, the community fundraising and social service entity was housed at 205 N. Main St. The organization has operated remotely since selling the 8,100-square-foot building.
The new location sits on the second floor of the BMO bank at 101 N. Parker Drive 鈥 a berth just across the street from its previous location.
Dr. Dennis Pauli, United Way Blackhawk Region鈥檚 interim president and CEO, said the open house is a networking opportunity for the entire community.
鈥淭his office isn鈥檛 just for the United Way. We see it as a welcoming space for community members, our volunteers, nonprofit organizations and business partners,鈥 Pauli said. 鈥(It鈥檚) a space to connect, collaborate and work together.鈥
Pauli added that Tuesday night鈥檚 event was also meant to be a 鈥渓aunch鈥 for the charity鈥檚 new team, which includes Community Impact Director Sue Murray, Marketing and Engagement Manager Michelle Adkins, and Director of Resource Development Michelle M. Adkins.
Pauli said during the hiring process, he aimed to gather 鈥渃onfident and experienced鈥 people for a team that will be 鈥渧ery visible鈥 in the community. United Way Blackhawk Region funds nonprofits in Rock County and northern Winnebago County, Ill.
鈥淚 wanted a team that鈥檚 advocating for the good work that we do, a team that鈥檚 really promoting the services that we provide, and a team that鈥檚 innovative in looking at new opportunities for the United Way, both in generating revenue and serving our community,鈥 Pauli said.
As for the space itself, Pauli added that a centralized location downtown allows for a focused and welcoming environment.
鈥淚t makes a big difference when we can do that together in person. The team鈥檚 passion and expertise is really gonna help us build strong relationships with our donors, our volunteers, businesses and nonprofit partners,鈥 he said.
Belem Regan said the open house made clear to her that the new location seems more inviting than the last.
In the 鈥90s, Regan launched the first Hispanic outreach program in Rock County with funding from United Way. She鈥檚 happy that nonprofits in Rock County will have a 鈥渃omfy鈥 new space to innovate and collaborate.
{p dir=鈥漧tr鈥潁鈥淭his feels more personal, it鈥檚 very open to people,鈥 she said.
The new space features a board room meant for nonprofits to use, in case they don鈥檛 have space at their home location.
Cindy Browning, Executive Director at Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Rock County, said she appreciates that the open house provided an opportunity for networking with other organizations.
During the event, she had several productive conversations with leaders of nonprofits like the YWCA and Community Action.
She noted that the event brought out a collaborative spirit where she exchanged information about volunteering opportunities, but also shared 鈥渒nowledge, ideas and brainstorming鈥 for events and fundraising.
鈥淚鈥檓 building on existing relationships with fellow nonprofits,鈥 Browning said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity to see each other in the community.鈥