Page 11 - Social_Impact_Report

Tours of Duty – Social Impact Report 2017-18

Tours

of Duty
Dana Gloor, Principal

he United Way emerged on those of the United Way of Cen- “The 2-1-1 helpline is a great supporting an organization that
Miles & Stockbridge principal tral Maryland. example of how this works,” Gloor knows exactly what it is doing. It
T Dana Sirkis Gloor’s radar the explains. The helpline, which is leverages existing resources and
same way it does for so many of Since the mid-2000s, the Unit- available 24 hours a day, seven agencies. That wealth of expe-
us: a fundraising push at work. At ed Way of Central Maryland has days a week, provides informa- rience and situational expertise
one of her previous employers, the developed as its core mission a tion and resources on everything matters when people are facing
United Way support permeated the focus on the basic needs of the from shelters and eviction pre- daunting emergency needs.”
culture; as she rose through the most vulnerable members of our vention services to counseling,
ranks there, the expected contri- community. More specifically, the medical care and tax help. “It is a Inspired by what she learned
bution correspondingly rose, too. organization has committed itself very powerful connector on the from taking a closer look at the
to helping families facing poverty one hand, but it also is an impres- United Way of Central Maryland,
“Once the donation level obtain access to housing, employ- sive vehicle for data collection— Gloor became increasingly and
reached a certain point, I thought ment, affordable food and health and that data ultimately serves more directly involved with
it would be prudent to see exact- care, and a quality education. as an engine driving further im- the organization. In 2009, she
ly where my money was going,” provements and efficiencies to was nominated by UWCM and
Gloor recalls. “I started participat- To achieve these lofty goals the grantmaking process and the appointed by the mayor to serve
ing in events and getting to know most effectively and efficiently, services provided.” For instance, on Baltimore City’s Journey Home
the organization, and I fell in love the United Way of Central Mary- user feedback can drive decisions Committee, working with Sister
with it.” Whereas she had admired land employs a three-pronged regarding which organizations Helen Amos to help work on
the United Way somewhat vague- strategy to take on the challenges receive funding. A gap in services solutions to homelessness across
ly and from afar, the commercial the working poor of our area face can be discovered more quickly, Baltimore. In 2010, Gloor joined
litigation lawyer dug deeper into on a daily basis: grantmaking, and the United Way can convene the executive committee of the
the organization, its structure and serving as a pass-through clear- with other agencies to ensure UWCM’s Women United initia-
the returns on its investments. inghouse for third-party nonprof- that the need is filled. Compati- tive, and served as its chair from
She describes her overall experi- its (the traditional United Way ble resources can be bundled or 2014-2015, where she oversaw
ence as both “eye-opening” and model), and, where the organiza- streamlined. “The power of the programming for the dynamic
“mind-blowing.” Gloor embarked tion can bridge gaps or convene United Way is that it is built around affinity group composed of over
on agency tours, and it was these other resources, acting as a direct having its finger on the various 1,400 women. There, she was
in-person trips that threaded the service provider. This hybrid ap- pulses of its communities,” Gloor part of a team that fully furnished
needle between the heartbreaking proach allows the United Way of continues. “That’s one of the most a 13-unit permanent housing
and the heartwarming, touching Central Maryland a certain flexi- critical things I learned as I went property for formerly home-
her deeply. She soon realized her bility when addressing an individ- on these tours: when you’re sup- less women. “These were peo-
philanthropic priorities matched ual’s needs in real time. porting the United Way, you’re ple that had nothing, and I think

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