Client News

File Taxes Online for Free with United Way, Earn Up to $8K in Credits

Posted on by kthebaud

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 less than $65,000 in 2021 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). The local United Way’s Free Tax Prep program saves qualifying residents an average of $200 in preparer fees. When needed, the program provides free tax help virtually and in person in multiple languages. Two virtual tax workshops will be held on Feb. 26 and March 12 where certified volunteers will help participants prepare their own returns and answer questions before filing. To learn more about United Way’s Free Tax Prep program or begin filing, visit YourFreeTaxPrep.org.

“Many families in our region have earned these tax credits, but often do not know they are eligible,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “These are important funds that local families can use to meet immediate needs and increase their household’s financial stability. Our Free Tax Prep program is a key piece of United Way’s work to help every family succeed so their community can too. That is square one for ending poverty in our region.”

Households may be eligible for the CalEITC tax credit if the taxpayer is at least 18 years old and the household earned less than $30,000 in 2021. Many CalEITC-eligible households are not legally required to file taxes due to low income, but if they file, they can claim state and federal credits.

Families that received advance payments of the Child Tax Credit must file a tax return and could be eligible for additional Child Tax Credit payments. United Way’s Free Tax Prep program can help non-U.S. residents apply for their ITIN, as ITIN holders are eligible for some tax credits. Experts recommend everyone files early, noting that many people do not realize that unemployment income is taxable. Even if people owe money, it is not due until April 18 no matter how early they file.

In 2021, more than 4,000 households across the Sacramento region filed their taxes through United Way’s Free Tax Prep program, claiming a total of more than $7.5 million in credits and saving a total of $885,000 in tax preparation fees.

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 helping kids excel in school, investing in families, creating meaningful partnerships and organizing to lift impacted families. For more information or to make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

Sac Life Center to Give Free Diapers on Valentine’s Day

Posted on by kthebaud

Local moms of babies and toddlers can drive through the Sacramento Life Center parking lot at 2316 Bell Executive Lane in Arden for the Valentine’s Day Diaper Giveaway on Feb. 14 from 10am-1pm. While supplies last, each mom will receive a pack of size 1 or size 2 diapers, a package of wipes and a handmade knitted blanket. For more information, visit SacLife.org.

“Every mom knows that diapers and wipes are worth their weight in gold, so we thought this would be a tangible way to spread some love to local moms this Valentine’s Day,” said Marie Leatherby, executive director, Sacramento Life Center. “No strings attached, just come on by and pick up some diapers, wipes, a beautiful handmade baby blanket and a thank you for being a hardworking mom.”

The Sacramento Life Center’s mission is to offer compassion, support, resources and free medical care to women and couples facing an unplanned or unsupported pregnancy. The Sacramento Life Center’s licensed Sac Valley Pregnancy Clinic includes a primary clinic and mobile clinic that provide all services for free, including pregnancy tests, STD tests, ultrasounds, patient advocacy for men and women, education and resource referrals. In 2018, the Sacramento Life Center achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, which ensures the group has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of high-quality health care. The nonprofit also offers a 24-hour hotline and program for women who have experienced pregnancy loss. For more information about the Sacramento Life Center’s Sac Valley Pregnancy Clinic, visit SVPClinic.com. For more information about the Sacramento Life Center or to make a donation, visit SacLife.org.

Save Mart Doubles Donation to Make It Happen for Yolo County

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Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $5,000 from the Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation to fully furnish homes for local transition age youth in need, mostly foster youth, moving out on their own for the first time in 2022. The gift is double the amount the nonprofit received last year.

“We are honored that Save Mart sees such value in Yolo County’s transition age youth that they chose to double their donation to us this year,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “Save Mart has become a steadfast partner in our work to ensure local transition age youth have what they need to create their homes and be successful first-time renters.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County works with clients to complete a wish list of desired household items and then select items at the group’s storage units. Thanks to donated furniture from the community, it costs an average of $650 to fully provide for one home, including furnishings and appliances for a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, as well as cleaning supplies.

Make It Happen for Yolo County is a volunteer-run nonprofit providing transition age youth (ages 18-24), predominantly foster youth, 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. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has served 160 Yolo County transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation supports community, arts, recreation, education and sports. The foundation was created by Save Mart Supermarkets and operates with a separate board of directors maintaining a separate focus on supporting the company’s principle of giving back to the communities it serves. For more information: www.savemart.com/save-mart-companies-cares-foundation.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $25K from Save Mart

Posted on by kthebaud

Women’s Empowerment recently received a $25,000 grant from Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation to support the nonprofit’s programs that educate and empower women experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence necessary to secure a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children. The foundation has supported Women’s Empowerment since 2010.

“Steadfast funding is the only way we are able to continue empowering women to rise from homelessness so they can support themselves and their children, especially during a pandemic and housing crisis,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “The Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is one of our most loyal funders, and we are grateful that each year they recognize the important work we do and deem it worthy of funding.”

The grant from The Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation will support Women’s Empowerment’s work to help women experiencing homelessness find and maintain housing and jobs, including providing them with job-readiness classes, one-on-one support with a staff social worker and employment specialist, support groups, legal services, financial literacy, childcare and child developmental assessments, health services and referrals to providers, transportation assistance, paid job training and more.

“When women have control over their income and livelihood, the effect on their families and communities is truly transformational,” said Nicole Pesco, board member, The Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation. “The Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S Foundation is proud to help provide women with meaningful participation at all levels of economic decision making and a quality standard of living for themselves and their families.”

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment provides a nine-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so all women and their children can break the 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. Eighty-two percent of the graduates secure a job or enroll in school. Despite the housing crisis, 75 percent regain a safe home for themselves and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,734 women and their 3,859 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.

The Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation supports community, arts, recreation, education and sports. The foundation was created by Save Mart Supermarkets and operates with a separate board of directors maintaining a separate focus on supporting the company’s principle of giving back to the communities it serves. For more information: TheSaveMartCompanies.com/Cares.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $25K from Bank of America

Posted on by kthebaud

Women’s Empowerment recently received a $25,000 grant from Bank of America to support the nonprofit’s work to educate and empower women experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence necessary to secure a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children.

“Bank of America has been a longtime funder of ours, and we are grateful that they continue to recognize the importance of economic mobility for women experiencing homelessness here in Sacramento,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.

The grant from Bank of America will support Women’s Empowerment’s programs, beginning with its nine-week program that targets the barriers women face while experiencing homelessness. Each woman receives free transportation assistance and onsite childcare. She works with a social worker, housing specialist and employment specialist while attending classes on job-readiness, empowerment and more taught by skilled community volunteers. She receives health services onsite and referrals to providers. She can join support groups and receive legal help. Each woman who graduates from the program can enroll in graduate services, which include paid job training, certifications, counseling, professional clothing and job retention services.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment provides a full nine-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so all women and their children can break the 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. Eighty-two percent of the graduates secure a job or enroll in school. Despite the housing crisis, 75 percent regain a safe home for themselves and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,719 women and their 3,842 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.

Baby Supplies Needed at Sac Life Center

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Local residents can help low-income new moms in Sacramento this holiday season through the Sacramento Life Center’s annual Baskets4Babies drive running through Dec. 31. The drive stocks the Sacramento Life Center’s baby needs center so the nonprofit can provide a basket of needed items to every patient who gives birth in 2022. Donations can be made in any increment, but $50 guarantees a new mother has everything she needs to bring her baby home from the hospital, including diapers, clothing, bottles, formula, homemade blankets, bibs, bathing supplies and more. A pledge of $50 per month guarantees a mother can return each month to the baby needs center for additional necessities until her child is 2 years old. Donations can be made online at www.saclife.org.

“It’s been an exhausting year for everyone, but especially for pregnant women and new moms in need,” said Marie Leatherby, executive director, Sacramento Life Center. “Having supportive people surrounding them makes all the difference. Our baby baskets give pregnant mothers practical and necessary items and show them they have a community of support.”

The Sacramento Life Center’s mission is to offer compassion, support, resources and free medical care to women and couples facing an unplanned or unsupported pregnancy. The Sacramento Life Center’s licensed Sac Valley Pregnancy Clinic includes a primary clinic and mobile clinic that provide all services for free, including pregnancy tests, STD tests, ultrasounds, patient advocacy for men and women, education and resource referrals. In 2018, the Sacramento Life Center achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, which ensures the group has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of high-quality health care. The nonprofit also offers a 24-hour hotline and program for women who have experienced pregnancy loss. For more information about the Sacramento Life Center’s Sac Valley Pregnancy Clinic, visit www.svpclinic.com. For more information about the Sacramento Life Center or to make a donation, visit www.saclife.org.

United Way Launches “United We Shine” Holiday Campaign

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This holiday season, the local United Way is shining a light on its nonprofit partners working to end poverty in the Capital Region. Each day for 12 days starting Nov. 29, United Way’s United We Shine campaign will feature a different nonprofit partner that is working to build equity and end poverty in the region, including a specific need each is facing and how local residents can help. To participate, follow United Way California Capital Region on social media. For more: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/post/United-We-Shine.

“We are proud of the work we do at United Way to bring nonprofits together to work toward equitable systems and reduce poverty so all families in our region can thrive,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “After another difficult year, we can come together this holiday season to generously support the important work being done in our community. Over these 12 days, I hope everyone will join us in supporting as many of our local nonprofits as possible.”

Featured nonprofits include Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, St. Vincent de Paul Sacramento Diocesan Council, Urban Strategies Inc., Computers 4 Kids, Yolo County Children’s Alliance, Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency, Bless Child Community Association, YMCA, Sacramento County Gifts from the Heart, New Morning Youth and Family Services, and Empower Yolo. On Nov. 30, Giving Tuesday, United Way will share more about the work it is doing and how local residents can get involved.

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 helping kids excel in school, investing in families, creating meaningful partnerships and organizing to lift impacted families. For more information or to make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

Holiday Gifts and Craft Supplies Needed at Women’s Empowerment

Posted on by kthebaud

Local residents can bring joy to formerly homeless women and children in Sacramento this holiday season by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s Holiday Gifts and Crafts Drive. The group is seeking 300 unstuffed gift bags and specific fillers for children, teens and women. Gifts for teens and women are especially needed. Women’s Empowerment also needs craft supplies to provide a Craft Party in a Box for each family since the group cannot hold its annual craft party for women and children to make holiday gifts for their loved ones. For a list of gift and craft needs, visit Womens-Empowerment.org. Items are needed by Dec. 6.

“The holidays are often difficult for our graduates as they work hard to put food on the table, much less afford gifts,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “The last couple of years have been exceptionally grueling for them. We are grateful to the community for not only providing gifts and craft items to make presents, but also sharing the joy that comes with this gift-giving season.”

Thanks to donations, Women’s Empowerment will include a warm hat, gloves, socks and other items in each gift bag for the women and children. For those interested in making a financial donation toward a gift bag, the average cost is $40, but any amount helps. Women’s Empowerment especially needs extra $20 gift cards to Target, Walmart and similar stores to include in each gift bag.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment provides a nine-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so all women and their children can break the 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. Eighty-two percent of the graduates secure a job or enroll in school. In the midst of the housing crisis, 75 percent regain a safe home for themselves and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,719 women and their 3,842 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $20K From Arata Brothers Trust

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Women’s Empowerment recently received a $20,000 grant from Arata Brothers Trust to educate and empower women experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence necessary to secure a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children during the pandemic and housing crisis.

“Our partnership with Arata Brothers Trust over the last several years has helped hundreds of women and children break the cycle of homelessness amidst wildly changing circumstances here in Sacramento,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We are grateful for the steadfast funding we receive from Arata Brothers Trust as we face another tumultuous year ahead.”

The grant from Arata Brothers Trust will help Women’s Empowerment offer its nine-week program that targets the barriers women face while experiencing homelessness, as well as paid job training for women who have graduated from the program. Women’s Empowerment’s paid job training programs include its Get A Job Kit training program for graduates hardest to hire, as well as its paid training in property management, a career that usually includes housing on the managed property. Women’s Empowerment also offers paid training to become a security guard or bank teller, as well as training in green energy.

“For the trustees of the Arata Brothers Trust, 2020 and 2021 revealed the most nimble and effective nonprofits in the Sacramento region,” said Matson Sewell, co-trustee, Arata Brothers Trust. “Women’s Empowerment led the way in this landscape, continuing to deliver highly impactful programs to such an under-resourced population, adapting to public health requirements for both mothers and children, and moving forward despite the new challenges. These challenges are not behind us yet, and Women’s Empowerment has earned the support of anyone looking to make a huge difference in the lives of homeless women and children.”

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment provides a full nine-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so all women and their children can break the 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. Eighty-two percent of graduates secure a job or enroll in school. Despite the housing crisis, 75 percent regain a safe home for themselves and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,719 women and their 3,842 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.

The mission of Arata Brothers Trust is to enhance the quality of life in the Sacramento area by supporting systemic change through innovative and effective educational programs. For more information, visit ArataBrothersTrust.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.