Make It Happen Receives $9.5K from Union Pacific

Posted on by kthebaud

The Union Pacific Railroad Community Ties Giving Program has granted $9,500 to local nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County to provide underserved youth in Yolo County who are transitioning into independent living with furniture, household goods and resources to furnish their first apartment or home.

“Union Pacific has become one of our most steadfast donors, and we are grateful to them for recognizing the important issue of furniture poverty for our community’s most resilient youth,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “As the number of youth we serve continues to rise, this grant from Union Pacific will help us fill that gap so all of our clients can experience a fully furnished apartment while working toward their academic and career goals.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County serves local transition age youth ages 18-24, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness. The nonprofit 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 and other local nonprofits. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit www.MIHYolo.org.

“Local grants have the power to create meaningful change within the communities our tracks touch,” said Beth Whited, president, Union Pacific and Union Pacific Foundation. “We are proud to partner with nonprofit organizations who are making an impact on the future – creating safer places for children and families; bringing economic prosperity to communities; building vibrant, inclusive areas for people to thrive; and instilling sustainable practices.”

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has been committed to Building America – serving as an economic engine and improving the standard of life for millions across the country. Building upon this heritage, the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program’s mission is to build safe, prosperous, vibrant and inclusive communities by investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs in the cities and towns in which Union Pacific operates and its employees live and work. For more information: www.up.com/communityties. 

Women’s Empowerment Receives $15K from Union Pacific

Posted on by kthebaud

Women’s Empowerment has received a grant of $15,000 from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program to help women experiencing homelessness in Sacramento find jobs and safe homes during the housing crisis.  

“We are proud to once again partner with Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program to ensure unhoused women can find and retain employment so they can afford a safe home for themselves and their children,” 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. In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by graduates, and 189 women either secured or maintained housing. Since 2001, 1,870 women have graduated from the program with their 4,002 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

“Union Pacific proudly supports organizations that improve the quality of life where our employees live and work,” said Liisa Stark, vice president of public affairs, Union Pacific. “Investing in high-quality, nonprofit programs puts our communities in a position for future growth and prosperity.” 

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has been committed to Building America – serving as an economic engine and improving the standard of life for millions across the country. Building upon this heritage, the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program’s mission is to build safe, prosperous, vibrant and inclusive communities by investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs in the cities and towns in which Union Pacific operates and its employees live and work. For more information: www.up.com/aboutup/community/foundation/index.htm.