Community Impact
The gift of a lifetime…Jed and Celia Meese created a beautiful life and an amazing legacy. Thanks to their good works, WILL has received a gift that will continue to change the lives of women and girls in our community for years to come.
The Impact of WILL
So far in 2026, WILL has fulfilled 45 requests, making a positive impact on 137 household members – including 78 children! From education and car repairs to so much more, WILL is helping make a meaningful difference for families throughout Jackson County.
Deanna, a wife and mother, found that rising living costs had outpaced her family’s income, making it necessary for her to seek employment. WILL funds allowed for her two daughters in enroll in an all-day summer camp, enabling Deanna to work during the summer and contribute to household expenses, while her daughters engaged in learning opportunities and benefitted from social interactions with their peers.
Christy has actively participated in employment programs, consistently engaging in career development and demonstrating a strong commitment to improving her family’s financial stability. She has utilized every available resource and exceeded all objectives in her career development plan.
With her extensive medical background, she is now regularly interviewing for remote healthcare positions and has received multiple job offers. However, she has been unable to accept these opportunities because her outdated laptop does not meet employer requirements. Funding for a new laptop removed this final barrier and supports her successful employment.
33%
of funds were spent on
Youth Opportunities
16%
of funds were spent on
Financial Mobility
10%
of funds were spent on
Healthy Community
41%
of funds were spent on
Community Resiliency
Our Youth Opportunity goal removes barriers from early childhood to successful adulthood. These can include camps, trainings, GEDs, etc. During 2025, WILL helped women with the fees needed to complete peer support classes and purchase supplies for medical assistant programs.
WILL’s Financial Mobility impact area keeps families moving forward. Funds are aimed at stabilizing families, thereby enabling surplus funds by month-end. In 2025, WILL funds helped women obtain and maintain stable housing.
Our Healthy Community goal maximizes wellness. Investments are geared towards offering resources to promote positive physical, emotional, mental, and oral health.
Our Community Resiliency work focuses on removing barriers for those with low incomes, aging, and people with disabilities to get where they want and need to go. Funds to ensure access to dependable and affordable transportation, and disaster resiliency. In 2025, WILL assisted with car repairs, helping women stay mobile and meet their essential needs.
WILL Luncheon
Annually more than 250 women gather for the WILL luncheon. This is more than just an event; it’s a chance to be inspired, connect with like-minded individuals, and make a lasting impact! Together, attendees rally to raise vital funds, ensuring every woman and girl can achieve their next best level.
Each year we ask WILL Council members to share their favorite motivating books. We then compile these books into a reading list. Access the Book List here – enjoy!
Join us on October 29, 2026, for the 20th Annual WILL Luncheon, featuring Erin Borla as our guest speaker.
Erin Borla (she/her), a lifelong Oregonian raised in Central Oregon, is the granddaughter of Columbia Sportswear’s legendary Gert Boyle. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Borla has focused on supporting rural communities through collaborative, innovative economic and philanthropic strategies. Her work is grounded in deep listening, honest communication, and a commitment to partnership.
Borla holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences from Oregon State University and a master’s in tourism administration from George Washington University. She also earned a certificate in Tribal Relations from Portland State University and was a Fellow with the National Center for Family Philanthropy. Borla hosts the nationally renowned “Funding Rural” podcast exploring how philanthropy can better serve rural communities and inspire long-term change.
Borla currently serves as an advisor to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, a member of the Future Council for the Society of Environmental Journalists, and on the advisory board for Oregon’s Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program. She has also contributed to organizations such as OSU-Cascades, the Oregon 4-H Foundation, and the Central Oregon Regional Solutions Committee. A trustee of the Roundhouse Foundation since 2014, she became its first executive director in 2020.
Outside of work, Borla enjoys road trips with her family, hiking with her dog, knitting, and reading young adult novels.
For more information about the luncheon, including details on how to register, please email Bethany@unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org
Join Us to Build Upon History
WILL, Women Living Leadership, was born at United Way of Jackson County through the vision of a dedicated and passionate volunteer, Debbie Williams. In 2005, as the board president of United Way of Jackson County and a representative of Avista Utilities, Debbie attended the United Way of America’s Community Leaders Conference in Dallas, Texas.
There, she discovered the emerging Women’s Leadership Council initiative, designed to harness the unique strengths of women in philanthropy, advocacy, and volunteerism.
Inspired by this vision, Debbie returned to Jackson County with a clear goal: to establish a Women’s Leadership Council in our community. Her leadership and commitment led to the creation of WILL, a program that empowers women to step forward and make meaningful contributions through their hearts, heads, and hands.
WILL focuses on addressing critical transition points where systems fail and life keeps moving, enabling impactful investments and transformative change in our community.
Our 2026 WILL Luncheon Sponsors
Gift of a Lifetime
Jed & Celia Meese
…
Presenter
…
Investor
Lindsay Berryman
…
Advocate
Donna & Matt Epstein
…
Donor
Lisa Stauffer
Lyn Hennion – In Her Memory
Sue Slack
…
Michele Jones
Big Fan
Susan Sauder
…
Aaron & Heather Hoefling
Cathy Noah
Amy Belkin Coaching & Consulting
…
This is a fantastic opportunity for your business to gain visibility while supporting a meaningful cause. Your involvement will not only help strengthen the WILL program, but it will also connect you with an engaged community of individuals who are committed to making a difference. As a sponsor, your business will play an integral role in empowering these women and fostering positive change.
To become a sponsor, please email Bethany@unitedayofjacksoncounty.org
CREATE
We have the entrepreneurial desire to create something new and concrete that responds to the needs of women and children in transition.
CHANGE
We make a difference and bring about change.
CONNECT
We feel connected with the impact of our giving.
COMMIT
We are committed to giving wit, wisdom and wealth.
COLLABORATE
We inspire organizations to build partnerships and collaborations.
CELEBRATE
We celebrate and recognize each others efforts and successes.
