United Way Recognizes AmeriCorps VISTA Members During National AmeriCorps Week

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From leading the business arm of a local nonprofit to serving summer meals to kids, 40 AmeriCorps VISTA members will dedicate a year or a summer to serving the Sacramento region as part of the AmeriCorps VISTA program led locally by United Way California Capital Region. United Way is celebrating these 40 individuals this week as part of National AmeriCorps Week, running March 4-11.

“These young people dedicate a summer or a year of their lives to bringing change to local communities across the nation,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Many are assigned to projects far from where they grew up. They gain valuable experience through their service to communities in need. Here in Sacramento, many nonprofit organizations rely on these dedicated individuals.”

The AmeriCorps VISTA program in the Sacramento region, as well as the service of this region’s members, is valued at $419,000. Members are serving locally at Communities and Health Professionals Together/UC Davis Pediatrics, Health Education Council, Lutheran Social Services, Opening Doors, PRO Youth and Families, Sacramento Loaves and Fishes, Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, Sacramento Self Help Housing, United Way California Capital Region, Wellspring Women’s Center, WIND Youth Services, Women’s Empowerment and Woodland United Way.

“With this program rumored to be on the Trump administration’s chopping block, it’s more important than ever to make sure people know how incredibly valuable AmeriCorps VISTA members are to our community and the work of nonprofits in our region. Their service is vital to our community’s health,” Bray said.

VISTA was founded in 1965 as a national service program to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs under the umbrella of the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps VISTA taps the skills, talents and passion of more than 8,000 Americans annually to support community efforts to overcome poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development and otherwise assist low-income communities. For more information: www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista.

United Way California Capital Region is leading the AmeriCorps VISTA program in the Sacramento region as part of its efforts to increase capacity at local nonprofits and schools for its Square One Project, United Way’s 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of local students 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 for success in college or career. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

 

Volunteer for United Way’s Week of Caring Oct. 3-8

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More than 1,500 local residents are needed to spend a day caring for the community Oct. 3-8 by signing up for one of dozens of volunteer projects happening at nonprofits, schools and community parks across the region during United Way’s Week of Caring. The week, sponsored by Nationwide, will begin with a kickoff breakfast and rally at the new Golden 1 Center Plaza on Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. To sign up for Week of Caring: www.yourlocalunitedway.org/weekofcaring.

“We’ve held Day of Caring for the last three years and it’s been so successful at bringing the community together that we decided to make this year’s event an entire Week of Caring,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “We’re offering 40 volunteer projects across five counties that week so everyone can spend one day caring for their community.”

Project sponsors include California North Chapter Community Associations Institute, Honey Agency, SAFE Credit Union, Safelite Auto Glass, Social Interest Solutions, TaxAudit.com and Zurich. The Sacramento Kings are sponsoring the kickoff rally, and SMUD is a booth sponsor.

Last year, 954 volunteers – including 116 companies and groups – came out on United Way’s Day of Caring in September and completed projects with 40 local nonprofits in one day. They volunteered 4,305 hours collectively, valued at $95,312.

Week of Caring is part of United Way’s Square One Project, which recognizes the importance of volunteers in making sure nonprofits and schools are equipped to provide a full support system for kids. The Square One Project is a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of local students who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. Through nine decades of work and research across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties, the local United Way now believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones for success in college and beyond. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

Volunteers Age 50+ Needed to Read to Kids Through United Way

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Local residents ages 50 and up are needed by September to help kids read, as part of United Way California Capital Region’s partnership with AARP Foundation’s Experience Corps. Volunteers will be placed in Sacramento-area schools and will partner with small groups of students in kindergarten through third grade to help them improve their reading. For more information, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org/experiencecorps to sign up for an upcoming information session.

“We know that improving children’s early literacy has a direct impact on their success in higher education, and we know that higher education is the equalizer that breaks the cycle of poverty,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “As adults, we can give back by helping many more children grow up prepared for success.”

The program will take place in Center Joint Unified, Elk Grove Unified, Robla and Washington Unified school districts. Volunteers will spend two to three hours a day in the classroom two days a week helping students read at grade level and beyond, and providing consistent support to the same teacher and students over the course of the school year. Volunteers receive 25 hours of training in literacy and classroom management.

United Way California Capital Region is leading the program in the Sacramento region through a four-year grant from AARP Foundation, a grantee of the Social Innovation Fund (SIF). In August 2015, AARP Foundation received $3 million from SIF, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service programs. The SIF fosters public and private collaborations to evaluate and grow innovative community-based solutions that work. In just five years, the SIF and its private-sector partners have invested more than $876 million in compelling community solutions. As a result of $295 million in federal grants and more than $581 million in non-federal match commitments, the SIF has made grants to 39 institutions and 353 nonprofits working in 40 states and the District of Columbia. This subgrant award is the result of an open competition held by AARP Foundation to identify and select promising organizations in high need communities to implement and rigorously evaluate the Experience Corps model.

The local program is part of United Way California Capital Region’s Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of local students who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. Through nine decades of work and research across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties, the local United Way now believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones for success in college. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

United Way Helps Sacramento Claim $5 Million This Tax Season

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VITA volunteer helps a local resident file her taxes through United Way-led programs

Nearly 5,000 households in the Sacramento area took advantage of United Way-led free tax programs this year, resulting in more than $5 million in money claimed and saved through the Earned Income Tax Credit, other credits and refunds, and lack of tax preparation fees. The in-person Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, led by United Way California Capital Region in this area, helped 3,710 local households. The first 150 who placed part or all of their refund in their own savings accounts earned a $10 gift card sponsored by SAFE Credit Union. United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.com helped 983 users file taxes with an average refund of $1,433.

“One of the first steps to becoming financially stable is avoiding spending unnecessary money and taking advantage of benefits available,” said Stephanie Bray, United Way California Capital Region president and CEO. “These tax programs gave people the chance to avoid tax prep fees and apply for credits. This community did a fantastic job of coming together to ensure as much money stayed in our region as possible.”

Local households that earned $54,000 or less in 2015 were eligible to receive free tax help in person through the the local VITA coalition led by United Way. IRS-certified volunteers provided free basic tax return preparation with electronic filing. Volunteers informed taxpayers about special tax credits for which they might qualify, such as the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA is a national IRS program and offers free help to people who make a limited income and need help preparing their tax returns.

The 150 filers who qualified for the SAFE gift card promotion collectively saved $186,307 – an average of $1,242 per saver – from their refunds in their own savings accounts or by purchasing savings bonds through VITA.

Local households that made $62,000 or less in 2015 qualified to file their state and federal taxes online for free at MyFreeTaxes.com, thanks to a a national partnership between United Way, Goodwill Industries and the National Disability Institute. The website guided users through federal and state filing using software powered by H&R Block.

Both the in-person and online filing opportunities were designed to help households receive the maximum Earned Income Tax Credits of $6,000, available federally and through the state. This is the first year that California offered a state Earned Income Tax Credit to benefit California’s working families, increase use of the federal credit and increase availability of free tax preparation services.

United Way California Capital Region is leading the local efforts for VITA and MyFreeTaxes.com as part of its work to ensure more households in the capital region are financially healthy. Partners include California State Board of Equalization, City of Sacramento, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, County of Placer Health and Human Services, Folsom Cordova Community Partnership, Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, SEIU Local 1000, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Grant Union High School, Hiram Johnson High School and the State of California Franchise Tax Board. Sponsors include Citi Community Development, First Northern Bank, Internal Revenue Service, SAFE Credit Union, SMUD, United Way California Capital Region and Wells Fargo.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together to meet pressing needs in the Sacramento region and has changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

United Way Receives AARP Grant to Help Kids Read

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AARP Experience Corps volunteer helps kids learn to read

AARP Foundation, a grantee of the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), has awarded a generous four-year grant to United Way California Capital Region to help grow Experience Corps, the evidence based AARP Foundation literacy program that improves the reading skills of children, enriches the lives of volunteer tutors, and strengthens schools in local communities.

Almost 70 percent of students in the U.S.—about 6.6 million children—are unable to read proficiently by fourth grade. AARP Foundation Experience Corps matches volunteers age 50 and up with students in kindergarten through third grade to help them improve their reading skills. The program offers both 1:1 and small group tutoring assistance.

United Way California Capital Region will work closely with AARP Foundation and an independent evaluator to investigate the expansion of small group tutoring and small group plus classroom-wide assistance models to accelerate literacy achievement.

“We know that improving children’s early literacy has a direct impact on their success in higher education, and we know that higher education is the equalizer that breaks the cycle of poverty,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “This subgrant will allow us to build on the success of Experience Corps’ intergenerational model and help many more children grow up prepared for success.”

This subgrant award is the result of an open competition held by AARP Foundation to identify and select promising organizations in high need communities to implement and rigorously evaluate the Experience Corps model.

“Experience Corps’ proven track record of matching older adults as 1:1 volunteer reading tutors with children in grades K-3 is not only working but the results are most impressive. The Social Innovation Fund is eager to provide funding to this cutting-edge intergenerational model that is potentially increasing the number of children being served and expanding this volunteer delivery system to include smaller reading groups. We are looking forward to building a dynamic program with AARP Foundation that supports these efforts while creating new opportunities for people 50+ to be engaged in their communities,”  said Damian Thorman, director of the Social Innovation Fund.

The Social Innovation Fund requires that each federal dollar granted be matched dollar for dollar by intermediary grantees and again by the organizations they select to receive grants. Other subgrantees include Aspiranet in San Francisco, The Children’s Initiative in San Diego, Generation Inc. in Boston, Read to Succeed Buffalo, Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center and United Way Central Georgia.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together to meet pressing needs in the Sacramento region and has changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

 

United Way Unveils Hydration Stations at Sacramento Schools

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Students at Taylor Street Elementary School in Sacramento celebrate their new water bottles and installation of a hydration station

United Way’s Young Leaders Society raised $25,000 to fund the purchase and recent installation of five hydration stations at all five schools in Robla School District in Sacramento. The stations, which provide drinking water and encourage kids to choose water over sugary drinks, were unveiled at each school on Feb. 5. United Way’s Young Leaders Society members descended upon the schools to pass out United Way reusable water bottles to all 2,500 students in the district. In preparation for the unveiling, students received in-classroom education on the health benefits of drinking water instead of sugary drinks through a partnership with the Health Education Council.

“Our kids are fascinated by technology, so we know these hydration stations will be a far bigger draw for the kids than traditional drinking fountains,” said Ruben Reyes, superintendent, Robla School District. “And because the kids are excited about the hydration stations and have been receiving important education about the dangers of sugary drinks, we know we will see more kids drinking water and making healthy choices.”

The stainless steel hydration stations are mounted on walls and include a cooler and bottle filling station in an ADA-compliant design. Each station holds up to 3,000 gallons of filtered water, and an LED light shows students when their bottle is full. United Way’s Young Leaders Society plans to install five more stations this summer.

“The hydration stations play an important part in educating children to make healthier choices every day,” said Lindsey Smith, chair, United Way’s Young Leaders Society. “Being able to be a part of this initiative from start to finish and to see how excited the students are about the Rethink your Drink program has been extremely gratifying. The fact that we are able to make a difference in these students’ lives and create a partnership with the Robla School District helps us realize the potential of our future Young Leaders Society projects.”

United Way’s Young Leaders Society unites young professionals to make a collective impact on health and education for kids through volunteer work and financial support. For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together to meet pressing needs in the Sacramento region and has changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

United Way Honors Seven Local Donors and Volunteers

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United Way honors local donors

Seven of United Way California Capital Region’s donors and volunteers recently were honored by the local nonprofit for their commitment to making a collective impact on the Sacramento region’s education, health and financial stability. Honorees included Richard Bojé and Stirling Price of Carmichael, Ruth Miller of Woodland, Lorrie Wilson of Granite Bay, Lindsey Smith of Sacramento and Pam Stewart of Natomas. The company Nationwide, based in the Arden area, was United Way’s seventh honoree.

At the recognition event in December, United Way California Capital Region President and CEO Stephanie Bray told the honorees, “Your hard work, dedication and dollars have changed thousands of lives. Because of you, more children at risk of falling behind are learning to read at grade level. Because of you, more children have access to meals through our Healthy Meals program, which removes the barrier of hunger for those children. And, because of you, foster youth and families are connected with education and coaching to achieve their financial and life goals and dreams.”

Bojé and Price were the first recipients of the Bojé & Price Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, which will be presented annually to a volunteer who exemplifies the work of United Way as an individual volunteer and champion for volunteerism in the community. Price first became involved with United Way in 1958. In 1985, he became treasurer, and has served on the finance and administration committee and the Capital Region Foundation. He also is a dedicated volunteer with several other local nonprofits. Bojé also began his relationship with United Way in 1958 and has served as campaign chair, board chair, and on the executive committee. He currently sits on the finance and administration committee and on the Capital Region Foundation Board, among other local nonprofits.

Miller and Wilson were named Women in Philanthropy Members of the Year for their work leading United Way’s Women in Philanthropy group, which helps local foster youth prepare for adulthood, and increasing the capacity of the group.

Smith was named Young Leaders Society Member of the Year for her work with United Way’s Young Leaders Society to improve the education and health of children in the Sacramento area and grow the presence of the group. She chairs the Young Leaders Society Leadership Council, which is overseeing installation of hydration stations at schools in the Robla School District so more children will have access to drinking water.

Stewart received the annual Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award for her longtime service, generosity and passion for the community. As past board chair for United Way and leader of the campaign cabinet, she led United Way to one of the most successful campaigns in the nonprofit’s history.

Nationwide received United Way’s annual Cornerstone Award for achieving outstanding results in the company’s United Way campaign and making volunteerism and community engagement part of its company culture. Eighty-four percent of Nationwide employees participated in last year’s United Way campaign, raising more than $247,000. The company has sponsored United Way’s last three Day of Caring events, lending 125 volunteers to the event each year.

“Think about the power we have to change generations and break the cycle of poverty that too many families in our region face,” Bray said. “By bringing together companies, schools, government and individuals across the region we know that we can bring about that change. We can and will go even bigger to reach thousands more children and families.”

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together to meet pressing needs in the Sacramento region and has changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

United Way to lead local AmeriCorps VISTA program

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The local AmeriCorps VISTA program is now under the umbrella of United Way California Capital Region’s services that are helping local nonprofits build capacity. Seventeen AmeriCorps VISTA members will spread out among Sacramento-area nonprofits, providing services worth more than $381,000 for the community. The program was formerly managed by Community Link.

“VISTA members are some of the most generous people in the nation, and we are honored that 17 will be joining us in Sacramento,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “They will be important boots on the ground as we work to build the nonprofit community’s capacity to make a collective impact on the capital region’s education, financial stability and health.”

VISTA members will be placed at Communities and Health Professionals Together/UCD Pediatrics, Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, United Way California Capital Region, Wellspring Women’s Center, WIND Youth Services, Women’s Empowerment and Woodland United Way. For more information about the local AmeriCorps VISTA program: www.yourlocalunitedway.org/americorps-vista-program.

VISTA was founded in 1965 as a national service program to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs under the umbrella of the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps VISTA taps the skills, talents and passion of more than 8,000 Americans annually to support community efforts to overcome poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members are passionate and committed to their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development and otherwise assist low-income communities. For more information: www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together to meet pressing needs in the Sacramento region and has changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

Free Tax Help Available for Sacramento Families

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Local households that earned $54,000 or less in 2015 can receive free tax help in person through the Sacramento Coalition for Working Families, the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance effort led by United Way. The program will kick off with a Super Saturday event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Jan. 30 at Grant Union High School, where IRS-certified volunteers will provide free basic tax return preparation with electronic filing. Volunteers will inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify, such as the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. For more information, a list of other Super Saturday events and weekday tax help sites in Sacramento County, visit yourlocalunitedway.org/VITA, or call (916) 498-1000 or 2-1-1.

VITA is a national IRS program and offers free help to people who make a limited income and need help preparing their tax returns.

Local households that made $62,000 or less in 2015 can qualify to file their state and federal taxes online for free at MyFreeTaxes.com, thanks to a a national partnership between United Way, Goodwill Industries and the National Disability Institute. MyFreeTaxes.com helps people save an average of $200 in tax preparer fees. The website guides users through federal and state filing using software powered by H&R Block. Users need a valid email address and income forms. The eight-year-old program is available in all 50 states.

“We want to make sure as many households as possible in the Sacramento area are financially stable, and that starts with not spending unnecessary money on tax preparation and making sure they receive the maximum refund to which they are entitled,” said Stephanie Bray, United Way California Capital Region president and CEO.

Both the in-person and online filing opportunities are designed to help households receive the maximum Earned Income Tax Credits of $6,000, now available federally and through the state. This is the first year that California is offering a state Earned Income Tax Credit to benefit California’s working families, increase use of the federal credit and increase availability of free tax preparation services.

United Way California Capital Region is leading the Sacramento Coalition for Working Families as part of its work to ensure more households in the capital region are financially stable and self-sufficient. Partners include California State Board of Equalization, City of Sacramento, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, Folsom Cordova Community Partnership, Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, SEIU Local 1000, SAFE Credit Union, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Grant Union High School, Hiram Johnson High School and the State of California Franchise Tax Board. Sponsors include Citi Community Development, First Northern Bank, Internal Revenue Service, SMUD, United Way California Capital Region and Wells Fargo.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together to meet pressing needs in the Sacramento region and has changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

Holiday volunteer opportunities abound on United Way website

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Volunteers stuff holiday stockings at United Way

Looking for holiday donation and volunteer opportunities? Visit United Way California Capital Region’s online Volunteer Center at www.yourlocalunitedway.org to find more than a dozen needs in one place. Holiday volunteers and donors are encouraged to post photos of their work on social media using #happy2help.

“We are grateful to all of the community members who make a collective impact on our community’s most urgent needs during the holiday season,” said Stephanie McLemore Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Our Volunteer Center is an easy way to find opportunities all in one place and easily narrow them down to what is most convenient and affordable.”

Anyone can sign up to volunteer or donate, and most nonprofits across the region are eligible to add their volunteer opportunities, and can do so through the website. For questions, contact volunteer@uwccr.org.

United Way launched its online Volunteer Center in 2014 to provide an organized, community-wide portal that connects the Sacramento region’s volunteer and donor base with United Way’s 160 local nonprofit partners and other local organizations. The center is designed to connect individual donors and volunteers, as well as corporate or group volunteers, with opportunities of all sizes and commitments throughout the year. Community members can log onto the website and create a profile that lists their interests, become fans of participating nonprofits, join volunteer groups, donate unused materials and household items to nonprofits in need, learn about upcoming special events and fundraisers, and advocate for causes. The center was partly launched in response to United Way’s 450 corporate partners looking for a coordinated way to engage employees in corporate social responsibility through volunteer work, donation opportunities and events.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought people together as first responders on needs in the Sacramento region and changed the lives of hundreds of children, families and adults. Now United Way is mobilizing nonprofits, companies, schools, government and individuals across the region, state and country to make a collective impact in the areas of education, financial stability and health in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.