UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF THE COMMUNITY. OUR FOCUS ON ADVANCING THE COMMON GOOD CREATES A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF AREA CHILDREN, YOUTH, AGING ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS, PEOPLE IN CRISIS AND PEOPLE WITH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES BY FOCUSING ON THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GOOD LIFE: EDUCATION - HELPING CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL; INCOME - PROMOTING FINANCIAL STABILITY, INCREASING SELF- SUFFICIENCY AND INDEPENDENCE; AND, HEALTH - IMPROVING PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING, AND PROVIDING EMERGENCY SERVICES. THE UNITED WAY'S AGENDA FOR ADVANCING THE COMMON GOOD INCLUDES: INVESTING IN NONPROFIT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE MOST CRITICAL NEEDS AND DELIVER THE GREATEST IMPACT POSSIBLE; IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY IMPACT INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS NEW AND EMERGING NEEDS; AND, FORMING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABO