September: Briefly in the News
U.S. Cellular Partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia
In order to help drive interest and increase the understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math careers (STEM), U.S. Cellular representatives visited Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia to discuss the important role STEM plays in mobile technology. U.S. Cellular engineering associates led “Ask an Engineer” sessions where they showed youth how STEM applies to real-world situations, specifically in careers centered on engineering.
Assistance League Awards Scholarships
The Assistance League of Mid-Missouri announced the establishment of the annual Carter-MacLellan Make-A-Difference Scholarship. The $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to one graduating senior at each of Columbia’s four public high schools. The awarded students will have demonstrated a heart for volunteering and a commitment to serve others.
United Way Awards $829,596
Heart of Missouri United Way awarded their Financial Stability Impact Awards in the amount of $829,596 to several organizations – City of Refuge, Independent Living Center, Job Point, Love, INC, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Rock the Community, and United Community Builders. The money will be distributed over the next three years. Volunteers dedicated an estimated 462 hours to determine how to make equitable community investments that will result in the following outcomes: Gains in skills and/or credentials needed for employment and/or increased wages; gain and sustain employment and/or increase income; increase disposable income by increasing financial literacy and/or reducing costs and/or accessing benefits.
Boone Hospital Center Expands Wound Clinic
An expansion to Boone Hospital Center’s Wound Healing Center adds five new clinic rooms, staff support areas including nursing stations and physician offices, as well as direct access to the hyperbaric chambers. The additions take the clinic from 4,083 square feet to 5,936 square feet. The expansion was prompted by a desire to help more people in the community.
New Real Estate and Lifestyle Planning Guide
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices introduced a new tool to help clients and consumers think more strategically about real estate and their real estate decisions in preparation for lifestyle changes. It’s called the Real Estate and Lifestyle Planning Guide. The guide helps people assess their present and future lifestyles and the considerations for life stages, such as renting vs. buying, considering move-up opportunities, moving with children and pets, downsizing by design, transitioning with multigenerational and special needs family members, and staging/merchandising your home.
NextGen Precision Health Institute Launches
UM System leaders and state and national elected officials broke ground on the NextGen Precision Health Institute, a facility supporting the system-wide precision health initiative. The initiative is expected to accelerate medical breakthroughs for patients in Missouri and beyond, increase collaboration among UM scientists and industry partners, attract research funding, generate jobs, and train a new generation of health care scientists and practitioners who will help Missouri address the health care needs of the future.
Habitat for Humanity Reveals New Home
In late June, employees from Veterans United Home Loans gathered in the front yard of the first of five homes they have committed to build in partnership with Veterans United Foundation and Show Me Central Habitat for Humanity. A monetary donation of $50,000 was made by Veterans United Foundation, which is fully funded by Veterans United Home Loans and its employees. In total, 507 people (Veterans United employees and family members) contributed 2,236 hours of construction on the home.
“Everyone deserves a place that they are able to call home. We are so glad that we were able to assist Patrick, Aline, and their children and welcome them to the community that so many of our employees live in,” says Erik Morse, president of Veterans United Foundation.