Cybersecurity starts with YOU and is everyone’s responsibility. There are currently an estimated 5.2 billion Internet users—over 65% of the world’s population! This number will only grow, making the need to #BeCyberSmart more important than ever.
For more information, visit www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month
Leggett & Platt fosters a culture of giving, encouraging our employees to Do Some Good. Throughout the course of our local, Southwest Missouri campaign, we will shine a spotlight on several of the incredible agencies that United Way serves in our community. Times may be difficult, but we have witnessed communities rising to meet these hard moments. If in a position to give this year, we encourage you to support your local agency, too.
More than 36 million American adults struggle to read, write, do math, and use technology above a third-grade reading level.
For 40 years, the Joplin Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action, also known as Joplin NALA Read, has strengthened the skills of adult learners throughout our community.
Their mission is to provide tuition-free programs to improve the self-sufficiency of families by supporting adult learners to increase their literacy skills. Founded in 1981, NALA offers classes and one-on-one tutoring in literacy-related subjects, including reading, writing, math, computer literacy, and English as a second language (ESL).
“At NALA, we want to close the book on illiteracy,” explains Executive Director Grace Clouse. “In the local communities of southwest Missouri, there are roughly 11,000 adults with low literacy levels. We want to be involved in our communities, providing support, resources, and assistance to help address this generational literacy gap.”
Joplin NALA Read celebrated their 40th anniversary this year. This photo shows a marketing display at the local mall during the 1980s.
NALA works hard to evaluate the needs of each learner to identify their personal literacy goals. Classes are free of charge for adults over the age of 17, and NALA provides computers, textbooks, and curriculum. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve adapted their programming to assist students in a safe, remote way. At the onset of the pandemic, NALA staff spent several months developing virtual programming to be able to offer online learning opportunities.
The cost of student and tutor resources, supplies, and program management is approximately $15 per hour of student instruction. NALA is a United Way partner agency and receives about 22% of its funding from the United Way. The remaining funds come from grants, community organizations and foundations, individual contributions, and an annual fundraiser and literacy awareness event.
“Ultimately, we believe literacy should be within everyone’s reach – empowering adults to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by acquiring the skills they need to succeed,” says Grace. “If we can help adults reach their full potential, their efforts will give them access to a better life and will make a positive impact on our community.”
A clip from The Joplin Globe in honor of Joplin NALA’s 40th anniversary.
If you’d like to learn more about the mission of Joplin NALA Read or you’re interested in volunteering, please visit joplinnala.org or call 417-782-2646.
Leggett & Platt fosters a culture of giving, encouraging our employees to Do Some Good. Throughout the course of our local, Southwest Missouri campaign, we will shine a spotlight on several of the incredible agencies that United Way serves in our community. Times may be difficult, but we have witnessed communities rising to meet these hard moments. If in a position to give this year, we encourage you to support your local agency, too.
Founded in 1978, Lafayette House is a sanctuary for individuals and families who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault or who struggle with substance use disorders.
Through their residential facility in Joplin and outreach office in Neosho, Lafayette House offers a full range of services to support individuals and their families: domestic violence intervention including shelter and support; residential and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders; advocacy, support and counseling for sexual assault; onsite child care; and a variety of support services from counseling and case management to court advocacy and job training.
Last year, Lafayette House was able to serve 1,167 adults and children in our local community. They also provided 10,283 bed nights and 18,545 meals to affected families with nowhere else to turn.
During the pandemic, their computer systems were also upgraded to support videoconferencing, which enables them to provide services virtually. This technology allowed them to serve a greater number of families, particularly those who had found someplace safe to go but could still benefit from counseling services and other resources.
Many of the grants Lafayette House receives are targeted to very specific positions or programs. However, the donations they receive from United Way allow them to diversify their funding and cover crucial operational expenses which might otherwise have gone unfunded.
“The donations we receive from United Way really allow us to keep our shelter running day-to-day,” says Louise Secker, Director of Development. “They also demonstrate the strong local support our organization has – which is important when applying for grants from other sources.”
For more information about the services available at The Lafayette House, visit lafayettehouse.org
Today is World Mental Health Day. Did you know that more than 1 in 10 people live with a mental health condition? And likely fewer than half will seek out help or support. As we observe World Mental Health Day, we want to fight against the stigma often associated with mental health. If you’re struggling, we urge you to speak to your doctor to help you find a healthy treatment plan. You’re not alone.
Some additional ways you can care for your mental health are to talk about your feelings with a trusted individual, stay active, eat well, and do something you’re good at or enjoy.
You can read more about World Mental Health Day and find additional resources here.
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re sharing the stories of several Latinx employees within our U.S. facilities.
“We educate operators to produce quality products that help our customers sleep better. I’m proud of the diverse skill set every individual on our team presents. We all feel a sense of accomplishment when we fix a machine and get it running. Being able to pass my expertise on to both our English and Spanish speaking operators allows me to help them grow their careers, too.”
Gerardo Lopez
EOJT Coordinator / Machine Specialist
Leggett & Platt fosters a culture of giving, encouraging our employees to Do Some Good. Throughout the course of our local, Southwest Missouri campaign, we will shine a spotlight on several of the incredible agencies that United Way serves in our community. Times may be difficult, but we have witnessed communities rising to meet these hard moments. If in a position to give this year, we encourage you to support your local agency, too.
Since 1964, Legal Aid of Western Missouri has provided dignity, self-sufficiency, and justice through quality civil legal aid for those who may have nowhere else to turn.
Many low-income individuals are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can’t afford an attorney. The availability of free civil legal aid can make all the difference to those fighting to stay in their homes, escape domestic violence, secure veterans’ benefits, or address many other legal challenges that go to the heart of their security and well-being.
Contributions to our local United Ways help fund two specific programs at Legal Aid of Western Missouri – Access to Healthcare and Voices in Court.
When members of our community become sick and cannot work, they may be unable to afford the treatment they need to return to good health. If Medicare or Medicaid benefits are unfairly denied or terminated prematurely, those without insurance are left with very few options. The Access to Healthcare program works with these individuals to ensure they receive due process in fighting for the benefits to which they are entitled.
“We get many referrals from partner agencies and local hospitals,” says Pam Roychaudhury, Managing Attorney. “By helping patients qualify for benefits they need to receive medical treatment, we can actually save lives.”
The Voices in Court program supports local victims of domestic violence, with legal representation that is often vital to their safety. A local study found that only 50% of protective order requests are granted if the victim does not have an attorney, while 98% are successful if they have representation.
Victims of abuse are often afraid to leave their abuser because they don’t want to leave their kids in the home with the abuser. The Voices in Court program also helps to protect children in these households through temporary custody orders. In some cases, the child is also a victim. By partnering with other organizations in the community, these families are able to leave an unsafe environment.
“Our clients truly need a voice in court – or someone to represent them,” says Pam. “These cases are often very intimidating and can last for months. It’s important that victims have someone to support them through that difficult process.”
Today is Manufacturing Day in the United States and we celebrate all those who proudly stand behind our goods and services. We are committed to developing quality products and unlocking innovative technologies to grow our economy. Today’s employees will power the next chapter of American production and innovation.
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re sharing the stories of several Latinx employees within our U.S. facilities.
“I’ve worked for L&P for 46 years and it’s the only company I’ve worked for since moving to the U.S. As a forklift driver, it’s my responsibility to ensure that everyone on my team has the materials they need during our shift. They depend on me and this job allows me to support them — as well as my family.”
Juan Garcia
Forklift Driver / Material Handler
