(JACKSON PURCHASE AREA, KY) – The United Way of Paducah-McCracken County is now the United Way of Western Kentucky improving conditions in education, income, and health in six additional counties.
United Way CEO Betsy Burkeen announced the new structure and strategy at a leadership donor and community partner event in Paducah. The United Way of Western Kentucky now includes McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, and Marshall Counties in its coverage area. The non-profit brings people, organizations, and resources together to increase capacity for all individuals to learn, earn, and thrive. As a combined regional organization, United Way of Western Kentucky will promote collaboration through coalitions, funding programs, and leveraging its own community impact programs.
While the United Way board of directors has discussed community service expansion before, the
pandemic and the December 2021 tornadoes highlighted poverty, disaster, and other community level events are not bound by county lines. “We are a highly connected regional community,” said Betsy Burkeen, CEO of United Way of Western Kentucky.
“We have people who live in one county but travel to another for school, for work. What happens in one county absolutely can affect the rest. These recent events have shown us all how combining efforts strengthen the region as a whole.”
The United Way of Kentucky also entrusted the United Way of Paducah-McCracken County with
allocating more than $1.1 million dollars of disaster relief donations designated for tornado-affected
Fulton, Graves, Hickman, and Marshall Counties. More funding is anticipated in 2023, as well. This, too, helped the board of directors decide to extend services further into Ballard and Carlisle Counties.
Burkeen adds, “The United Way has always been a game-changer and way maker. We were given an
opportunity to help our friends and neighbors. The board agreed to truly LIVE UNITED, our involvement should be a long-term endeavor and not just a quick financial fix.”
“There are still a lot of details to work out, and our board is committed to working with each individual community to help meet their specific needs,” said Lesley Owen, United Way of Western Kentucky Board President. “We are excited for the opportunity to make an impact across our region and look forward to working with our neighbors in each of these seven counties.”
The United Way staff and board welcome you, your organization, business, or group to join in this
important collaborative work. You can learn more and become involved online at www.unitedwaywky.org or by calling 270.442.1691.