United Way IT Solutions Delivery

As I finish my fourth month at UWSEM, I cannot help but reflect on the significance of the work that is done here. Last year at this time, I would consider myself somewhat typical. I contributed money and time to standard causes, yet never looked beyond those contributions, keeping my view of the world neat and tidy. In the last few months, I began to realize that helping those in need is important, but fixing the root cause of the problem is critical to overcoming those needs.

Working on IT Solutions Delivery for community impact, I am lucky to be involved in many initiatives throughout the organization. In some cases, like Operation ABC, it's my goal to look for opportunities where technology can play a role. It's exciting to find areas where technology is the piece of the puzzle that helps complete the solution. Other areas, such as 2-1-1, where technology plays such a huge part, it's finding opportunities to streamline the work we do today, while helping define what technology will bring in the future. With the Early Learning Community initiative I've had the opportunity to work with our collaborative partners, where the excitement and passion to help kids enter school ready to learn is unbelievably contagious. Each day my world continues to expand through the experience and perspectives of those I work with, for whom, this is more than work, it is a passion.

It is exciting to think that as a member of the information systems group we touch each member of UWSEM each day and that touch helps make a difference.

Living Mission

Mobilizing the caring power…
Throughout February, more than 150 volunteer community leaders from across Southeastern Michigan, with varying areas of expertise and diverse backgrounds, are helping United Way to make thoughtful decisions as to where to place resources in the areas of educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs.

What an honor it is to work directly with these individuals and to witness the extent of their knowledge, their command of our complex process and funding criteria and guidelines, passion for our community and commitment to creating positive change.

Improving communities and individual lives…
Did you know that UWSEM serves more than 125 communities within Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and the City of Detroit? Although each area of our region may be unique, most of challenges we face are not.

As the Senior Director of Operations in our Community Investment and Partnerships (CIP) Department, I am fortunate to be part of a team that actively works to engage these local communities. We strive to learn about their unique assets, challenges and opportunities. Then, with the help of local volunteers, we convene stakeholders to build collaboration and to leverage UWSEM assets and resources. All of this with one goal in mind: to make progress on what these communities care about most.

Choose work you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

~ Confucius

Home Work

Coming back home is something I've thought about doing for some time. My name is Rene Antonio Palileo, and I'm the new Director of Capital Campaigns and Special Initiatives for UWSEM. Detroit is my hometown. Has always been something I've been proud of...not just because it was the Motor City, but because it was where I grew up...Southwest side...the place where I saw what I thought the rest of the world was like.

My parents came to the United States from the Philippines back almost 36 years ago....decided to pick Detroit over Chicago, New York or Los Angeles. Back when they were looking at places to live, Detroit was the place to be....I mean look at the other choices they were contemplating on.

When I left for college, I moved over to Grand Rapids, the states second largest city, and ended up living there for almost six years (including school) My parents retired moved to Las Vegas. I was working for the Heart of West Michigan United Way at the time under Mike Brennan and was lucky enough to get offered a job with United Way of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas as the Civic Engagement Manager...my start date was September 15th, 2001.

Exactly...by the time I had moved my belongings down there, the world had changed...not only was my 'home' going to be in the middle of the desert, but America was under attack. I was driving across the country signing my credit card gas receipts, "Rene Palileo, USA" Don't know if that was patriotic or to disarm people...but I did that for close to two months.

Needless to say, I ended up moving to my third United Way in Chicago, working as a Corporate Partnership Associate. In three years, I moved across the country and back...I then was offered a job with a small non-profit called the Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, Kids and Cops as their Director of Development...again, I moved back to Michigan. Grand Rapids---my college 'home.' I made one more move closer to 'home' as I became to Director of Alumni and Parent Relations for Aquinas College, my Alma Mater.

Now, if anyone ever asked me where was my home, I said 'Detroit-the actual city...I just happen to live here in ___' Kind of weird, but it was something I have always said. About a year ago, I started thinking about what my life was going to be like...I just got engaged, had bought a house in Grand Rapids, and it all seemed, alright.

I got a change to catch up with Mike Brennan a little over a year ago, and as we were catching up, he mentioned the work being done here, in Southeast Michigan...hard work...real gritty...but work that's changing things. Made me feel like home was starting to get the attention it needed. And that's when I said, 'I want to come home.'

I know this blog is suppose to be something that we talk about what we are doing, and I thought about listing the job description that goes along with the title...but that's not me. What I do here is work for United Way and I believe in the change we want to provide to Detroit and the surrounding region. I will be helping cultivate this community's resources (time, talent and treasure) to help accomplish our mission. There are so many people that are willing to be on board with United Way and my job is helping to find a way for them to do so.

I drove around my old neighborhood and saw the place I grew up around...I couldn't say the house I lived in, because it was no longer a house...it was a brick structure that had windows broken, doors off hinges, and looked like no living thing could have ever grown there except a fire.

But I know that has to change. And I really believe United Way for Southeastern Michigan is helping to do that...the Agencies that run programs are trying to do that...the people that believe in our mission are trying to do that...the people that can help support us are just waiting to hear our needs.

I really believe our Agenda for Change is going to impact the region...it is not just a title we have for our work. I have faith that what we are doing is going to be as reflective of this community as the hard work that the city and region has flourished on as it's foundation...even our Detroit Pistons recognize that ethic....'Hard work....that's true blue collar'

R.Paul Nelson, president emeritus of Aquinas College said, "Change is inevitable...growth is optional" -- We are working for both. Our Agenda for Change is really an agenda for GROWTH and we are doing a lot of the work that needs to be done.

I moved here in October...I'm getting married in July...I'm on the fifth floor of 1212 Griswold...and I have a lot of 'home' work to do.

Thanks for reading -
Rene