Client News

United Way Opens Second Round of Guaranteed Income

Posted on by kthebaud

Local residents can apply for a second round of funding through United Way California Capital Region’s Guaranteed Income program, which will provide 80 eligible households with $500 of unconditional guaranteed income each month for one year. Eligible applicants must live in the City of Sacramento and meet household income requirements. The online application will be open until April 14 at 11:59pm. Qualifying households will be selected randomly and confirmed by the end of May. First payments will begin in July. For more information or to apply: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/Guaranteed-Income.

“With rising housing, food, gas and electricity costs, too many residents of our state’s capital are struggling to make ends meet,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Through this second round of funding, United Way’s Guaranteed Income Program will continue to address poverty directly by giving even more community members money to meet basic needs, no strings attached.”

United Way announced the new round of funding at a press conference with Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang, Sacramento City Council Member Lisa Kaplan, and former state senator and United Way board member Dr. Richard Pan. The City of Sacramento allocated $750,000 in American Rescue Plan dollars to expand United Way’s Guaranteed Income program.

United Way’s Guaranteed Income program is the first of its kind in the California Capital Region. United Way launched the program in July 2021 with a portion of the $10 million gift it received from renowned philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in December 2020.

“This program helps alleviate the daily financial stress many local families face,” Early said. “We trust that participants best know how to spend their money to meet their family’s needs. Participants in our first cohort reported that guaranteed income each month helped to decrease income volatility, stay housed, pay for childcare, buy food and increase savings.”

United Way will partner with Sacramento State University to conduct a detailed study of the second round of households, including a comparative analysis. Data will be used to improve and expand the program.

For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has worked to end poverty by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities. Since 1923, the local United Way has raised more than $500 million to fight poverty in the region and help families succeed. The local United Way has found one place in each community to reach the most families in need: School is square one for ending 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. For its 100th anniversary, United Way is working to raise $3 million to help 10,000 kids excel in school by 2025. To make a donation to the 100th anniversary campaign or learn more about United Way: YourLocalUnitedWay.org.  

100+ Women Who Care Yolo County Donates to Make It Happen

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Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $8,962 from 100+ Women Who Care Yolo County of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to furnish homes for local transition age youth in need, mostly foster youth, moving out on their own for the first time in 2023.

“We are grateful to these phenomenal women who have given generously to support transition age youth in our county as they move into their first homes and begin their adult lives, often without many resources,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “The youth we work with are always floored to learn how many people in our community care about their well-being and are rooting for them.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County provides transition age youth (ages 18-24) in Yolo County with the furnishings, household goods and resources needed to move into their first apartments. The group receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new appliances and household items to help youth involved with the Yolo County child welfare, mental health and probation divisions, as well as the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program for students who have experienced foster care. The nonprofit works with clients to complete a wish list of desired household items and then select items at the group’s storage units. Since its founding in 2014, the nonprofit has served more than 190 youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

100+ Women Who Care Yolo County is a giving circle of local women who work together to magnify and focus individual philanthropy by pooling funds with others and making a collective decision. Each member contributes to the pool and members decide on the recipient. For more information, visit 100wwcyolo.org.

Women’s Empowerment to Hold Trivia Night Fundraiser

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To celebrate Women’s History Month, local residents can enjoy multiple rounds of trivia competition, entertainment, food, beverages and inspiring stories at Women’s Empowerment’s Trivia for Transformation fundraiser on March 24. The event will take place 6:00-9:30pm at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Sacramento and will benefit local nonprofit Women’s Empowerment’s employment-readiness and empowerment program for unhoused women and children in Sacramento. Tickets can be purchased individually, in pairs or in teams of six at Womens-Empowerment.org.

v“We are excited to bring the community together for this fun event during Women’s History Month,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “At Trivia for Transformation, we will celebrate the nearly 1,800 women in our community who have overcome the obstacles of homelessness and transformed their lives over the past two decades. They are truly brave women in history here in Sacramento, and we can’t wait to share some of their stories.”

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, 1,791 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.

United Way Announces 100th Anniversary Goal

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As United Way California Capital Region celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the local nonprofit working to end poverty through education has announced a new goal to raise $3 million to help 10,000 kids excel in school by 2025.

“This is such an important year as we celebrate 100 years working together with this community to end poverty for local families,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “We have learned so much over the past 100 years, and now we are ready to enter our next century with a bold new goal. We know education is a proven ladder out of poverty, and we know school is square one for reaching families in need. With kids coming out of Covid even more behind in school, we have doubled down on our commitment to raise the resources necessary for our region’s children to excel in school and thrive as adults.”

Focusing on schools through its Square One approach, United Way California Capital Region offers a wide array of programming and services to ensure children and their families have the resources they need to succeed in school and in adulthood. From a regional reading tutoring program and school-readiness services for incoming kindergarteners to an income program for foster youth, guaranteed income for families, free tax preparation services and more, United Way has created a holistic approach that starts in schools. United Way’s work centers families in their children’s academic achievement by helping children excel in school, investing in families, and strengthening schools with resources to address increased poverty and deep roots of racial inequality.   

“We know a quality education helps children develop social, emotional and cognitive skills that lay the foundation for a more fulfilling and stable life,” Early said. “Research shows that students who are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade falter in later grades and often drop out before earning a high school diploma.”

To make a donation to the 100th anniversary campaign or to learn more about United Way’s programs and services, visit: YourLocalUnitedWay.org. For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has been working to end poverty by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities. Since 1923, the local United Way has raised more than $500 million to fight poverty in the region and help families succeed.

United Way’s milestone year will culminate on April 29 with its 100th Anniversary Gala at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. The fundraiser will honor the local United Way’s past, recognize present impact, and look forward to building a future where everyone in the region has the opportunities and resources to thrive. The event will include silent and live auctions, dinner and a keynote presentation by San Francisco 49er Arik Armstead who also cofounded the Armstead Academic Project that supports students in Sacramento and the Bay Area. For tickets, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

United Way Offers Free Tax Prep Services

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Local residents throughout the Sacramento region are eligible to file their taxes online for free through United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program through April 18. Households that earned up to $66,000 in 2022 can file for free and receive up to $8,000 cash back from state and federal credits, including the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC and CalEITC). United Way’s Free Tax Prep program saves qualifying residents an average of $200 in preparer fees. The program provides free tax help virtually and in person in multiple languages and locations. For more information or to begin filing, visit YourFreeTaxPrep.org or call 2-1-1.

“Most people think they have to pay to file their taxes, but many people across our region qualify to file for free through United Way’s Free Tax Prep program,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Through this program, families in our community get the tax credits they’ve earned and have important funds to use toward immediate needs and longer-term financial stability. Our local United Way has been working to fight poverty for 100 years, and our Free Tax Prep program is an important part of that work.”

Though the tax filing deadline is April 18 for most people, there are some California counties that are eligible for extensions due to hazardous weather in January, including El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. United Way recommends filing as early as possible, no matter the deadline, to receive tax credits sooner. In 2022, more than 5,000 households filed their taxes through United Way’s Free Tax Prep program and collectively received more than $9.5 million in tax credits.

For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has been working to end poverty by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities. Since 1923, the local United Way has raised more than $500 million to fight poverty in the region and help families succeed. 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. For more information or to make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

United Way Receives $2.5M Federal Grant for West Sac Community Schools

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United Way California Capital Region has received a federal five-year grant totaling $2.5 million to plan and implement its community schools project in West Sacramento’s Washington Unified School District. The project was launched in summer 2022 after receiving a $200,000 grant through the California Community Schools Partnership Program. Through the federal Office of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Full-Services Community Schools grant, United Way and Washington Unified School District will create two full-service community schools as neighborhood hubs that provide access to a variety of services that support children, strengthen families and improve community health. 

“We know that schools are square one for ending generational poverty because they are a central hub for reaching families in any given community,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “We are grateful to the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for recognizing the importance of the community schools model and our local United Way’s ability to partner with schools and nonprofits in our region to transform our community and ensure every child has an opportunity to thrive.”

Through case managers and site-level coordinators, the community schools at Riverbank Elementary School and River City High School will provide services that may include access to health care, mentoring, expanded learning programs, adult guidance and other services. Based on feedback from the community, services will be tailored to meet each school’s individual needs, such as a Wellness Center that provides direct support and trauma-informed care to students or hiring a restorative justice and equity coordinator to reduce punitive actions and promote trust, respect and sense of safety between the school, students and families.

The project has a preliminary goal to increase student and family participation in services by at least 20% each year. Other objectives include increasing the number of students who are prepared for kindergarten, student academic achievement, and the extent to which students feel safe, healthy and supported by engaged parents.

United Way has already begun working with the district on the planning process, including establishing a core leadership team, deploying a needs assessment and asset mapping analysis, engaging school representatives, providing students with leadership opportunities, convening agencies to expand school-based service delivery models, and developing a shared vision and implementation plan.

“The growing momentum behind the community schools project is humbling, and Washington Unified is grateful to be a partner in such a transformative opportunity with United Way,” said Dr. Cheryl P. Hildreth, superintendent, Washington Unified School District. “We can all agree that schools have always been the cornerstone of the community, but now, we’re re-envisioning what that looks like by providing greater access and opportunity to resources and relevant educational and life experiences for individual success.”

Washington Unified School District is the premier provider of high-quality education in West Sacramento, serving nearly 7,500 students across seven K-8 schools and three high schools. The district offers cutting-edge opportunities featuring free college savings accounts for kindergarteners, Spanish dual language immersion, visual and performing arts, career technical education, AVID, MESA, before and after school care, and more. For more information: www.wusd.k12.ca.us.

For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has been working to end poverty by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities. Since 1923, the local United Way has raised more than $500 million to fight poverty in the region and help families succeed. The local United Way has found one place in each community to reach the most families in need: School is square one for ending 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. For more information or to make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $25K from Kaiser

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Women’s Empowerment recently received $25,000 in new support from Kaiser Permanente to help Sacramento women experiencing homelessness. Kaiser is supporting Women’s Empowerment’s work to empower unhoused women with economic opportunity so they can keep their families healthy during the pandemic and housing crisis.  

“Funding from community partners does more than just keep our programs going – it tells women experiencing homelessness that they matter and are not alone as they work to overcome obstacles that seem impossibly high right now,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “Kaiser Permanente has been a steadfast supporter of Women’s Empowerment, and we are grateful for their support as we work with a prolonged pandemic and ongoing housing crisis.”

Women’s Empowerment is a Sacramento nonprofit providing an eight-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational cycle of homelessness.

This grant from Kaiser Permanente supports women experiencing homelessness in Sacramento to ensure they have a wide range of tools to secure quality jobs and careers that lead to a livable wage and safe homes for their families. 

“Promoting economic opportunity to help people in our community lead healthier lives is a key part of Kaiser Permanente’s mission,” said Jay Robinson, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento and South Sacramento areas. “Through community partnerships like these we are improving financial security and reducing economic inequities to improve the overall health of our community.”

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 1,790 women and their 3,849 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

Kaiser Permanente’s community involvement uniquely pairs grant funding with 70 years of clinical expertise, medical research and volunteerism to support prevention-focused, evidence-based programs that are expanding access to care and creating healthy environments. Kaiser Permanente’s grants help more people in Sacramento get access to the resources they need to lead a healthy life. For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s work in the community: About Community Health | Kaiser Permanente (https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/community-health/about-community-health).

Holiday Gifts Needed for Women and Children Who Have Experienced Homelessness

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Local residents can bring joy this holiday season to women and children who have experienced homelessness in Sacramento by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s Holiday Gift Drive. The group is seeking 320 unstuffed gift bags and specific fillers for children, teens and women by Dec. 12. For the wishlist of items needed or to make a donation, visit womens-empowerment.org.

Each holiday gift package will include gloves, hats, socks, art supplies, water bottles, journals, holiday candy, gift cards and more. For those who prefer to make a financial donation, the average cost of a gift package is $40, but any amount is helpful. 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.

“The women and children in our program have worked so hard to get to where they are today, and this is a special way for our community to provide joy and encouragement during the holidays and the cold winter months ahead,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.

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.

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.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $35K from Wells Fargo

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Women’s Empowerment has received $35,000 from Wells Fargo to provide workforce development skills, paid job training, job search assistance and housing support for women experiencing homelessness in Sacramento.

“For the past 14 years, Wells Fargo has helped to sustain our organization while also funding our new, innovative programs that meet the current needs of women experiencing homelessness,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “This year is no exception. As we face a prolonged pandemic and ongoing housing crisis, Wells Fargo has once again stepped up as a leader in our work to ensure women and children can overcome the highest obstacles as they work to break the cycle of homelessness.”

Women’s Empowerment is a Sacramento nonprofit providing 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.

“While Wells Fargo invests heavily in sustainable and innovative housing solutions, we understand that housing alone isn’t enough to end homelessness,” said Kären Woodruff, senior vice president of social impact, Wells Fargo. “Women’s Empowerment’s proven track record shows that providing job training and supportive services allows women to take back their life and create a stable future.”

Wells Fargo has been one of Women’s Empowerment’s most consistent funders and has given more than $527,000 to the nonprofit since 2008. 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.