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If alive and now penning his words about today's issues, the author of the oft-quoted book of Ecclesiastes might well add a United Way line to "there being an appointed time for everything and a time for every purpose under the heavens." That line is that "this is the time to live united."

If anything is evident from research - as well as common sense - it's that the most daunting challenges facing individuals, families and society can most effectively and efficiently be addressed by joining community resources and energy. Silo thinking and behavior don't get lasting results. Neither do money, good ideas nor well intentioned people alone. That is the reason that our Lorain County United Way adopted "Live United" as its theme not just for this year, but for the foreseeable future, because it embodies the essentials for achieving lasting changes: giving, volunteering and advocacy.

"Live United" is more than a clever tag line. It is about the power of unity and of what can be accomplished when a community takes charge of issues with shared purpose and commitment. In real terms, Live United for Lorain County is about working to advance the common good by focusing on strengthening families, nurturing children & teens, caring for basic needs and addressing systemic problems and their root causes. We consider these to be the basic building blocks for the quality of life and the common good in Lorain County. Advancing the common good is what United Way has always been about, whether it is by resource development, generating volunteerism or advocating for a better quality of life.

The United Way board, staff and volunteers want the community that we serve, along with the individuals and groups to whom we come for support, to know that Live United is our mission and goal. It is the standard on which we want to be judged as well as the credo around which we seek partnerships, investment and assistance on community endeavors. The importance of those endeavors speaks for itself, as does the degree of collaboration necessary to make an impact:

• Helping people meet basic needs for safety, adequate food, daily subsistence, access to safe shelter, crisis intervention and emergency aid.
• Nurturing children and teens by providing safe and caring environments, positive role models and appropriate educational opportunities.
• Strengthening families by providing interventions as well as the education, stabilization and life skills necessary to healthy, productive and meaningful lives.
• Partnering with high-level stakeholders and non-profit providers; local, state and national government officials; philanthropic leaders; and business leaders, while also engaging in a countywide strategic planning process to both understand and find solutions to challenges related to access and continuity of care for the uninsured.
• Collaborating with non-profit providers, government entities and other funding sources to advocate and seek solutions for the problems of homelessness and medication for the uninsured.
• Participating on the countywide P-16 Council, whose goal is education development, excellence and success for all students from pre-school on.

This same Live United attitude also is driving United Ways' analysis as to where else to direct its resources and expertise. This planning effort has engaged the time and talents of a large group of community volunteers and United Way board members. The group soon will determine "areas of service and collaboration" on which our United Way's energies and resources can make a positive impact. The product will be another example of our Live United brand and have the goal of bettering lives and advancing the common good.

Live United is a constant reminder that when we as individuals think outside ourselves, we have the awesome power to facilitate change. That when we think of others' lives as linked to our own, our compassion grows. That when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our families and communities. We bring hope and opportunity. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.

As printed in The Chronicle-Telegram 9/6/08