FORT WAYNE, Indiana (WANE) – The Allen County United Way has announced new priorities for the organization, marking a shift in the way it helps the community. A working group noted that the main needs of the community are education, public health and mental health.

After extensive research and community conversations, the task force, made up of 18 field experts from various industries, presented their findings to the United Way Board of Directors. The council then approved the strategic direction on educational opportunities, food security, housing stability and access to mental health.

“Over the past decade, in all networks, Centraide has made the transition to the community impact model,” said Matthew Purkey, President and CEO. “This is our transition. We are the ones who say “what are the community’s priorities?” How can we positively impact the lives of the people of Allen County? This is the new direction of Centraide. We are no longer just a non-profit ATM, but instead we are solving community issues and asking the community to join us in this effort.

The shift in priorities is part of a shift toward a community impact model of how things are done, replacing what the organization calls a “not-for-profit ATM” role.

To view the data that helped the working group prioritize, visit United Way of Allen County website: https://www.unitedwayallencounty.org/community-level-data/