United Way Seeks Volunteers for Initiatives to End Poverty for Local Families

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Local residents can help end poverty for families in the capital region by volunteering with United Way California Capital Region in its Free Tax Prep and literacy tutoring programs. From teens to seniors, volunteers can receive valuable experience while making an impact on their community.

“Whether they’re more into numbers or letters, math or reading, our volunteers of all ages provide a critical human touch to our programs as they develop relationships and directly empower local families with tools to rise from poverty,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Our literacy volunteers work with children to help them excel in school so they can succeed in college and career. Our Free Tax Prep volunteers work with families to ensure they receive every dollar possible in tax credits so they can increase the amount of money in their bank accounts and support their families and their children’s education.”  

Local residents who are interested in education, child development or literacy and have a couple hours to commit each week can become literacy volunteers, either virtually or in person. These volunteers facilitate tutoring sessions at local elementary schools and implement engaging literacy activities. Volunteers receive hands-on experience as they network and gain skills in tutoring, teaching, mentoring and volunteer management, all while making a meaningful impact on children’s lives. To learn more about becoming a literacy volunteer: https://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/our-work/help-kids-excel/literacy-tutoring/. 

Volunteers looking to dedicate four to eight hours each week and learn valuable tax filing information can sign up to help with United Way’s Free Tax Prep program. Free Tax Prep volunteers directly impact individuals and families as they work to help them file their taxes and apply for the maximum tax credits possible. Commitments span five to six months, with 40 hours of tax training between November-January, and tax season running January-May. To learn more about becoming a Free Tax Prep volunteer: https://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/our-work/invest-in-families/free-tax-preparation/. 

Founded in 1923, United Way California Capital Region has been a transformative force in the Sacramento community for more than a century, serving Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. The local United Way’s Square One approach to ending poverty is grounded in a public health model and uses a threefold strategy to address community needs from birth and beyond: helping kids excel in school, investing in families and strengthening schools. At United Way’s core is the philosophy that families possess the blueprint for their success. United Way supplies books to young children, provides literacy tutoring, addresses housing and food security, leads the region’s largest tax preparation initiative and launched Sacramento’s first guaranteed income program. United Way works across diverse school districts, providing case management for foster youth and leading the Community Schools initiative in West Sacramento. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.YourLocalUnitedWay.org. 

Society for the Blind Announces Blindness Awareness Month in October

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Nonprofit Society for the Blind in Sacramento is encouraging local residents to honor Blindness Awareness Month throughout October by participating in activities and supporting people with vision loss so they can gain the skills they need to stay independent and thrive.  

“Our clients tell us all the time that they thought their life was over when they began losing vision, but they discovered it was the beginning of a new chapter,” said Shari Roeseler, executive director, Society for the Blind. “During Blindness Awareness Month, we want to make sure everyone knows that people can live their best lives with vision loss or blindness when they have the right tools. If you are losing your vision, or you know someone who is, we have a wide array of classes and support that will help you build the skills you need, whether you are a child, working-age adult or senior.”

For nearly 70 years, Society for the Blind has created innovative ways to empower individuals living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential. Based in Sacramento, Society for the Blind has grown from a dedicated group of volunteers to a nationally recognized agency and the only comprehensive rehabilitative teaching center that provides services for a 27-county region of northern California and the state of Nevada. The nonprofit provides low-vision eye care, life and job skills training, mentorship, and access to tools to maintain independence for more than 5,000 youth, working-age adults and seniors experiencing vision loss each year.

In addition to its onsite Low Vision Clinic and assistive technology store, Society for the Blind offers four core classes – orientation and mobility, independent living skills, computers and technology, and braille – to ensure people with vision loss can stay active, employed and living life to the fullest. The nonprofit also provides a program for seniors that includes retreats, support groups and activities such as yoga and cooking classes. For youth, Society for the Blind offers a job readiness program, after-school center and podcast team. The nonprofit also offers support groups for caregivers and parents of children with vision loss, as well as events open to the public.

To learn more or make a donation, visit www.SocietyfortheBlind.org.

Big Day of Giving Event: Write Encouraging Words at Women’s Empowerment

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For Big Day of Giving, local residents are invited to stop by Women’s Empowerment on May 4 from noon-2pm to inscribe notebooks with words of encouragement for local women experiencing homelessness who will join the nonprofit’s employment-readiness and empowerment program this year. The event will take place at 1590 North A Street in Sacramento, and all supplies will be provided, including notebooks that future students will use as they work to rewrite their stories. Attendees will receive a Women’s Empowerment pen and sticker.

Community members also can make a donation to Women’s Empowerment now through Big Day of Giving at Womens-Empowerment.org. Gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by the Poswall Family Foundation and Women’s Empowerment’s board of directors, up to $30,000.

“With homelessness in Sacramento at an all-time high, so many women and children are waiting to turn the page, become the author of their stories and courageously transform their lives,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We hope the community will come together on Big Day of Giving to share empowering words and make a donation that will help close the chapter on family homelessness in Sacramento, one woman, one child, at a time.”

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational cycle of homelessness. Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness and their children. On average, 70% of women in the program find housing for their families despite the ongoing housing crisis. Last year, 121 graduates secured employment or enrolled in paid training or education. Since 2001, 1,808 women have graduated from the program with their 3,897 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

Local Crafters Needed for Holiday Craft Party for Unhoused Women, Children

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A volunteer helps a woman and child make jewelry

Local crafters are needed to lead projects at Women’s Empowerment’s upcoming Holiday Craft Party for unhoused women and children on Dec. 17. Volunteers will create a craft project, provide the supplies, and lead women and children through the project as they create holiday gifts for their loved ones. For each craft project table, supplies are needed for approximately 200 people, and Women’s Empowerment can provide additional volunteers as needed. Volunteers are needed by Dec. 2. For more information or to sign up, visit womens-empowerment.org.

“This is a season when most people get to experience the dignity of giving, but for women and children who are experiencing homelessness, this is often not an option,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “Our craft volunteers give women and children the opportunity to create meaningful gifts for people they love. We are so grateful for our volunteers who come up with such creative ideas for craft projects, from scented sachets and bookmarks to bracelets, dreamcatchers and picture frames.”

As part of the Holiday Craft Party, each woman and child also receives a holiday gift package donated by the community, including gloves, hats, socks, art supplies, water bottles, journals, holiday candy, gift cards and more. The average cost of a gift package is $40, and items are needed by Dec. 12. Gift cards are especially needed, including $20 cards for Target, Walmart or Amazon, and $10-$15 cards for fast food restaurants, Jamba Juice and Starbucks. For the wishlist of items needed or to make a donation, visit womens-empowerment.org.

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational cycle of homelessness. Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness and their children. On average, 70% of women in the program find housing despite the ongoing housing crisis. Last year, 142 job placements were achieved by Women’s Empowerment graduates. Since its founding in 2001, the award-winning organization has graduated 1,781 women and their 3,893 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

United Way Seeks Volunteers for Free Tax Prep Program

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Volunteers are needed to help families across the region file their taxes and apply for tax credits as part of United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program. No experience is needed, as participants receive training to become IRS-certified volunteers. The training includes five full-day sessions and an open-book test at the end of training for certification. Volunteers must be signed up by end of November. Tax preparation certification training begins Nov. 5. For more information or to sign up to volunteer: YourLocalUnitedWayFreeTaxPrep.org.

“Our Free Tax Prep volunteers play a big role in ensuring local families receive help applying for the maximum tax benefits for which they are eligible,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Many families in our region have earned these tax credits, but do not know they are eligible. These are important funds they can use to meet immediate needs and increase their household’s financial stability.”

Each year, United Way and hundreds of volunteers help families and individuals earning less than $66,000 annually file their taxes for free. Last tax season, our Free Tax Prep program helped more than 4,000 families receive more than $9.5 million in tax refunds, including CalEITC.

United Way California Capital Region has been working to fight poverty for nearly 100 years by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities, now serving Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. The local United Way has found one place in each community to reach the most families in need: School is square one for ending family poverty. United Way uses its Square One approach to end poverty for local families by helping children excel in school, investing in families, and strengthening schools with resources to address increased poverty and deep roots of racial inequality. To learn more and make a donation: YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

Volunteers Needed to Help Kids Read with United Way

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Volunteers are needed in person at schools in Woodland and Sacramento, as well as virtually, to help children improve their reading through United Way California Capital Region’s STARS program. No prior tutoring knowledge is needed, as United Way provides training for volunteers, all of whom commit to at least one hour each week split into two 30-minute sessions of small group tutoring for three months. In-person volunteers are especially needed, and teens are welcome to apply. For more information or to sign up to volunteer: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/STARS.

“Our STARS volunteers play such an important role in helping kids get on track with reading, but they also become role models for the kids and help them build confidence,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “We know that if kids aren’t reading at grade level by fourth grade, they will have a much harder time keeping up in all school subjects. We also know that education is a ladder out of poverty. Our STARS volunteers can truly change the course of a child’s life.”

The local United Way has been helping children improve literacy for more than five years, including through its AARP Experience Corps program that paired retirees with children in schools before the pandemic hit. United Way’s STARS uses the BookNook platform to virtually work through literacy curriculum with participants and build their vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills through a variety of games, books and lessons provided in the online portal during the pandemic. The program is now offering in-person opportunities alongside its virtual platform.

United Way California Capital Region has been working to fight poverty for nearly 100 years by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities, now serving Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. The local United Way has found one place in each community to reach the most families in need: School is square one for ending family poverty. United Way uses its Square One approach to end poverty for local families by helping children excel in school, investing in families, and strengthening schools with resources to address increased poverty and deep roots of racial inequality. To learn more and make a donation: YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

United Way Seeks Free Tax Prep Volunteers

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Volunteers are needed to help local families file their taxes and apply for refunds as part of United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program that will open again in early 2022. No experience is required, and training is provided through a combination of self-study and online live sessions to become an IRS-certified volunteer with the program. To learn more: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/freetaxprep-volunteer.  

“After a tumultuous year, it’s more important than ever that local families receive help applying for the maximum tax benefits for which they are eligible,” said Amber Lovett, interim president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Our Free Tax Prep volunteers play a big role in ensuring families have the financial resources for their kids to succeed in school and career.”

Each year, United Way California Capital Region works with hundreds of volunteers to help households earning less than $66,000 annually file their taxes for free. Last tax season, the program helped more than 4,000 families receive $7.5 million in refunds.

“United Way’s Free Tax Prep program helps put tax dollars in people’s pockets,” said Katherine Green, program volunteer. “As a Free Tax Prep program volunteer, I look forward to meeting new people and helping them think beyond daily survival so they can have greater control over their resources and their life. I believe in strengthening vulnerable communities to reduce poverty, and this program opens doors for the community.”

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. With a mission to build stronger, healthier and more compassionate communities, the local United Way starts at square one: helping every family succeed so their community can too. Serving Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, the local United Way is working to meet its 20-year commitment to significantly reduce poverty in the region by building capacity in undervalued communities, creating meaningful partnerships, seeking equity in education and making social justice investments in families. For more information or to make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

Online Reading Volunteers Needed for United Way’s STARS

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Volunteers are needed to help local kids learn to read through United Way California Capital Region’s STARS program that pairs volunteers and students up through sixth grade for online literacy tutoring so they can succeed in school. No prior tutoring knowledge is needed, as United Way provides training for its volunteers, all of whom commit to at least one hour each week split into two 30-minute sessions for three months. Volunteers are especially needed during the hours of 3-5pm. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/STARS.

“We know that if kids aren’t reading at grade level by fourth grade, they will have a hard time keeping up across multiple subjects for years to come,” said Amber Lovett, interim president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Our STARS volunteers make a world of difference in a child’s life by giving just one hour a week. Our tutors not only help them read, they act as positive role models that improve children’s overall confidence in school.”

United Way’s STARS, an acronym for Students and Tutors Achieving Reading Success, has 65 volunteers enrolled to work with nearly 100 students in Robla School District, CHOC housing sites in Yolo County and Woodland Joint Unified School District to provide online tutoring through the platform Book Nook so kids can reach grade level reading. Together, the tutor and student work through the literacy curriculum and build vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills through a variety of games, books and lessons provided in the online portal.

The local United Way has been helping children improve literacy for more than four years, including through its AARP Experience Corps program that paired retirees with children in schools before the pandemic hit.

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. With a mission to build stronger, healthier and more compassionate communities, the local United Way starts at square one: helping every family succeed so their community can too. Serving Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, the local United Way is working to meet its 20-year commitment to significantly reduce poverty in the region by building capacity in undervalued communities, creating meaningful partnerships, seeking equity in education and making social justice investments in families. For more information or to make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

United Way Launches Shine Your Light Holiday Drive

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At the end of a year that has been dark for many communities across the country, United Way California Capital Region is asking residents across the region to join its Shine Your Light holiday campaign, which includes opportunities for community giving and safe volunteering during the holiday season. Visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org/Holiday-Giving.

“This is a year no one will forget – a year filled with deep pain, division and hardship,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Children are being asked to attend school virtually and help younger siblings. Parents have lost jobs that support their family’s needs. Neighbors are struggling to stay afloat while small businesses close around them. During this dark year as we enter the holidays, we are asking residents across the greater Sacramento area to join our Shine Your Light campaign by contributing to our nonprofit partners’ gift drives, volunteering and making financial donations.”

For the Shine Your Light campaign, United Way has gathered the needs of nearly 50 local nonprofits across the region on its website, including which need clothing, blankets, shelf-stable food, hygiene items, winter items, holiday gifts, gift cards and volunteers this holiday season. Shine Your Light participants also can make a financial donation to United Way California Capital Region to help lift up neighbors who are struggling, including children, foster youth, students impacted by COVID-19 and families trying to make ends meet. As part of the campaign, United Way’s Women United action group that supports local foster youth is matching new donations to the group until they reach $35,000, giving donors the opportunity to double their gift.

“In these difficult times, your gift can be a much-needed light in someone’s life during the holidays and in the months to come,” Bray said.

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. Today, the nonprofit is bringing people together across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties for its Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of students in our region who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. United Way believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones and their families receive support and resources. To learn more and make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

United Way Seeks Holiday Gifts for Low-Income Families and Foster Youth

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Volunteers stuff holiday stockings at United Way

This holiday season, Sacramento-area residents can donate and volunteer with United Way California Capital Region to make sure all families in their community have the support they need for kids to have a bright future. The local United Way is seeking gifts for its upcoming holiday markets for families in need, as well as local youth in foster care. Gifts are needed by Dec. 6 and can be purchased through United Way’s Amazon Wish Lists at YourLocalUnitedWay.org/Holiday. 

 “We talk a lot about the holidays being merry and bright, but for too many families in our community, it’s hard to feel merry when your future is uncertain and your kids don’t even have a warm coat to get through the winter,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “All children deserve a bright future, and that’s why our Square One Project works to ensure all kids in our community have the support they need year-round so they can focus on school and succeed in life.”

United Way also is seeking volunteers to help with the holiday markets for families in need where parents can shop the market and select gifts for their children. Volunteers are needed for shifts at the Robla Elementary School holiday market on Dec. 10 from 8 a.m.-noon and 12:30-4:30 p.m., and at St. Luke’s Church in Woodland on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help set up the markets, assist parents with shopping, wrap gifts and close the events. For more information and to sign up, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org/Holiday.

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. Today, the nonprofit is bringing people together across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties for its Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of students in our region who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. United Way believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones and their families receive support and resources. To learn more and make a donation: YourLocalUnitedWay.org.