By Jennifer Piurek
When Jane Michi was growing up in Princeton, Ind., her family gave to United Way of Southwestern Indiana whenever possible.
“I grew up with this idea that everybody gives to United Way and that everybody already understands why United Way is important,” said Michi, faculty relations manager at the Kelley School of Business.
She began a position at the Kelley School in 2006, after working at LIFEDesigns (then named Options for Better Living) that served people with disabilities. Each year, Michi volunteers for the Kelley School’s annual Habitat for Humanity Whirlpool Build on campus, and in the past, she has volunteered at Middle Way House. Now a working mom of two with a husband in school full time, Michi doesn’t find much time to volunteer, but she continues to support area nonprofits through an annual payroll deduction for IU’s Campus United Way Campaign. “When I came here, it felt like, oh, we’re all doing this as a community, like when I was growing up! I’ve made a United Way pledge every year since I came here, with increasing levels of financial involvement.”
Michi’s son is a Cub Scout, a group supported by Monroe County United Way member agency Boy Scouts of America-Hoosier Trails. The Boy Scouts/Hoosier Trails partnership began in 2015 and has led to expanded leadership and service training, STEM learning, and personal growth opportunities. Starting Feb. 1, 2019, Boy Scouts of America will officially begin admitting girls; BSA-Hoosier Trails is already admitting girls from fifth grade through high school.
The list of member agencies also includes Area 10 Agency on Aging, Girls Incorporated of Monroe County, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Stone Belt, and Volunteers in Medicine. Each year, Michi looks over the list of current member agencies, and typically gives to the general fund so her donations can go where they are most needed.
She is continually inspired by members of the IU community who give in ways big and small—from a colleague who stuffs United Way campaign envelopes to campus administrators who make substantial donations of time and money. “IU is so big, and I’m proud that we’re such a major donor in our community,” Michi said. “For me, giving just feels instinctive.”
