United Way Kicks Off Free Summer Meals for Kids

Dozens of North Sacramento residents attended a free community celebration at Robertson Community Center on June 11 to kick off United Way’s free summer meals program for kids. The event, which was cohosted by Mutual Assistance Network, included family games and activities. Davis Joint Unified School District Nutrition Services provided barbecue to celebrate its partnership with United Way to provide free meals each weekday at various community sites so kids have enough to eat during the summer months when they are out of school. Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services distributed free produce at the event.

To find a list of sites where summer meals will be served, text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 or call 2-1-1.

“One in five kids in our region doesn’t get enough to eat,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “That’s why United Way started our Healthy Meals program so kids could have healthy, delicious meals during the school year with all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. But four out of five kids who participate in our Healthy Meals program miss out during the summer – that’s more than 74,000 kids. So thanks to a grant from Sierra Health Foundation, we’re working with community partners to make sure healthy eating doesn’t stop when school is out.”

Meals are made with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients that are nutrient dense, low-sodium, have minimal preservatives and no high fructose corn syrup. The focus on local produce helps expose kids to a variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Along with expanding to serve summer meals, United Way and its partners will be providing summer literacy activities at the meal sites to ensure kids do not experience what Bray refers to as “summer slide.”

“Kids who don’t read during the summer can go back to school in the fall up to three grade levels behind where they were when they left for summer break,” Bray said. “So we’re working with our summer meals sites to also provide educational activities while kids are already there for food.”

United Way believes education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and a healthy body is key to learning. Bray says kids in the capital region who graduate from college are 62 percent less likely to live in poverty than those who drop out of high school. So United Way is working with partners to increase the number of students who graduate from high school prepared for success in higher education. Bray says summer meals and learning opportunities are key.

“With bellies full of healthy food, and brains full of fun learning activities, kids will return to school in the fall ready to keep learning,” Bray said.

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 in Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. Now the nonprofit is focusing on ending poverty through education by helping kids meet important educational milestones from kindergarten to career.  To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

24 Local Nonprofits and Schools Honored by Intel Folsom

Intel honors United Way at its Intel Involved Celebration

Bringing together hundreds of employees with dozens of local nonprofits and schools where they have volunteered, Intel held its annual celebration of its Intel Involved Matching Grant Program on Monday. Five hundred fifty Intel employees gathered with 24 local nonprofits and schools to celebrate the program that combines financial and volunteer support. When employees volunteer with schools and nonprofits, their volunteer hours are matched with dollars from Intel.

“One of Intel’s objectives is to be an asset to our site communities,” according to Intel Director of Regional Public Affairs, Jonathan Williams. “Nothing exemplifies that more than the thousands of Intel volunteers who support schools and nonprofits across the Folsom-Sacramento area. I am so proud of our volunteers for both the amazing work they do and longstanding relationships they have developed with education and community leaders across this region.”

The event included check presentations to local nonprofits and school districts, prizes and a tour of Intel’s Innovation Center and lab facilities. In 2014, more than 3,000 Intel Folsom employees participated in the Intel Involved program – more than half of the employee population. They donated more than 240,000 volunteer hours to local nonprofits and schools that resulted in matching grants totaling nearly $2 million, including $216,755 to Folsom Cordova Unified School District and $193,570 to San Juan Unified School District.

“There’s a reason Intel is the top member of United Way’s Million Dollar Giving Club,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Their generosity in the community is unparalleled, and it’s great for employee morale and business that Intel gives to organizations that its employees care deeply about. This is a model program for giving, and we are grateful to be a recipient.”

The Intel Involved Matching Grant Program aims to recognize and motivate Intel employees, globally, to engage in outreach and volunteerism to make communities a better place to live, work and play. Its objective is to support employees giving their time and talent to qualified nonprofits, non-governmental organizations and schools. After a minimum of 20 hours has been accrued by Intel employees volunteering at a school or qualified nonprofit, a donation match grant of $10 per hour volunteered is triggered from the Intel Foundation with a maximum of $15,000 per school and $10,000 per nonprofit each year.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought together nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers, community leaders and more to meet the community’s greatest needs, give immediate aid and find lasting solutions for future generations. United Way mobilizes members of the community to be first responders in repairing the education level, financial stability and health of everyone in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties through donation and volunteer opportunities. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

United Way Women Collect Towels, Toiletries, Luggage for Foster Youth

United Way's Women in Philanthropy collects towels for Sacramento foster youth

United Way’s Women in Philanthropy collected 253 towel sets, 48 pieces of luggage and hundreds of toiletries last week for Sacramento County foster youth preparing to emancipate from the system and live on their own for the first time.

“I’ll never forget hearing an emancipated foster youth talk about drying herself off with her clothes because she didn’t have a towel,” said Lorrie Wilson, co-chair of United Way’s Women in Philanthropy. “And many foster youth leave their foster homes carrying their clothes in a garbage bag instead of a suitcase.”

The drive supported Sacramento County’s Foster Youth Emancipation Basket program, which receives the towels and toiletries. Luggage is given to foster youth in United Way’s financial stability initiative that is working to ensure more households in the region, including foster youth living on their own, are financially literate and able to save for the future. Through the initiative, foster youth take financial literacy courses and can earn funds toward matched savings accounts.

“These towels, luggage and toiletries are a concrete way that we can address these kids’ immediate needs, but it’s critical that we also prepare them for the future,” said Ruth Miller, co-chair, United Way’s Women in Philanthropy. “United Way and its partners are making a collective impact on these kids’ lives by helping them save money, learn how to use their resources wisely and make decisions that will set them on track for the rest of their lives.”

United Way’s Women in Philanthropy brings local women together to help local foster youth across Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. A dynamic group of businesswomen, homemakers and community leaders, Women in Philanthropy members are first responders in repairing the financial stability of local foster youth by raising funds for United Way to provide financial literacy courses and matched savings accounts designed specifically for foster youth. Members also hold drives and provide trainings. Women in Philanthropy is part of United Way’s team of nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers and community leaders working to meet the community’s greatest needs, give immediate aid and find lasting solutions for future generations in the areas of education, financial stability and health. To become a member, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org/wip.

 

 

 

 

United Way Unveils Public Mural During Week of Thanks

United Way presents Intel Cornerstone Award in front of new mural

As United Way California Capital Region dedicated last week to thanking its volunteers, donors and partners, the nonprofit also unveiled a new public mural called “United Passion” that it commissioned from local artist BAMR. California Society of Health-System Pharmacists donated the space at 13th and H streets in Sacramento.

“The mural symbolizes the body and passion of United Way,” BAMR said. “The arm is powerful, nimble and diverse, representing United Way’s unique position in the Sacramento region. The hand represents the combined caring devotion from United Way’s donors, volunteers and community partners. The heart, representing our united passion, is intended to look as though it were made of water to signify renewal, transformation and life.”

The mural was unveiled as United Way gave out its most prestigious award, the Intel Cornerstone Award, to Enterprise Rent-A-Car for its dedication to the nonprofit community and United Way for more than 18 years.

“Since becoming a United Way partner, Enterprise Rent-A-Car employees in the Sacramento region have donated more than $2.9 million,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Even more spectacular: Enterprise Rent-A-Car has matched those donations with an additional $930,000 in corporate support. Their volunteer support and dedication to our Toilet Paper Drive have earned them top rankings and the well-deserved honor of this prestigious award.”

The Intel Cornerstone Award is given each year to a United Way corporate partner that not only has achieved top results in its United Way campaign, but also has prioritized volunteering and donating as part of the corporate culture. The award was originally presented to Intel for its unprecedented record of community giving and volunteerism, and Intel now presents the award each year to a United Way corporate partner deemed to deserve honor during United Way’s Week of Thanks.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought together nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers, community leaders and more to meet the community’s greatest needs, give immediate aid and find lasting solutions for future generations. United Way mobilizes members of the community to be first responders in repairing the education level, financial stability and health of everyone in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties through donation and volunteer opportunities. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

 

Young professionals build Habitat for Humanity housing

United Way Habitat Build

Twenty-five young professionals from United Way’s Young Leaders Society and Habitat Young Professionals joined together on March 21 to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s largest project to date on Indian Lane in Sacramento. The project will include 14 LEED-certified affordable single-family homes. Thank you to Univision19 for coming out to cover this event!

United Way’s Young Leaders Society is a diverse group of young professionals ages 21-40 that is focused on philanthropy and service in the greater Sacramento region. Members are committed to investing in health and education opportunities for students by volunteering their time, mobilizing social networks and raising money for a specific community impact project. For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought together nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers, community leaders and more to meet the community’s greatest needs, give immediate aid and find lasting solutions for future generations. United Way mobilizes members of the community to be first responders in repairing the education level, financial stability and health of everyone in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties through donation and volunteer opportunities. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

Habitat Young Professionals is made up of socially conscious professionals ages 21-40 who raise money, volunteer and create awareness for the work of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. The group offers a combination of social and professional networking events, community outreach and volunteer activities that support the building of Habitat homes for qualified, hardworking low-income families in the Sacramento area. For more information, visit www.habitatgreatersac.org.

United Way Helps You Keep Your Tax Refund

My Free Taxes logoMyFreeTaxes.com is helping you save money this tax season, thanks to a national partnership between United Way, Goodwill Industries and National Disability Institute. The program is being spearheaded locally by United Way California Capital Region and aims to provide qualified residents with free, easy tax help they can trust so they can maximize their refund and receive credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit.

MyFreeTaxes.com helps people save an average of $200 in tax preparer fees by filing for free. The website guides users through federal and state filing using software powered by H&R Block. Users qualify if their household income was $60,000 or less in 2014, and will need a valid email address and income forms.

“We want our neighbors to keep more money in their pockets and make our community stronger by taking advantage of tax credits,” said Stephanie McLemore Bray, United Way California Capital Region president and CEO. “This website is an easy and effective way to file your taxes and save your money for what matters most to you.”

MyFreeTaxes.com was founded seven years ago and is now available in all 50 states. The website is sponsored by Walmart.

United Way California Capital Region is promoting the program locally as part of its financial stability initiative that is working to ensure more households in our region are financially stable and self-sufficient – including foster youth. United Way’s $en$e-Ability project is helping low-moderate income households and foster youth improve financial literacy, manage finances and increase savings. Eighty-eight percent of adults in the project are demonstrating better financial skills and have savings accounts, and 90 percent of foster youth are earning credits toward matched savings accounts. United Way also is leading the local Assets & Opportunity Network as part of the financial stability initiative, mobilizing a group of nonprofits, companies and volunteers to look at financial stability data in our community and increase the number of people thriving.

For more than 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought together nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers, community leaders and more to meet the community’s greatest needs, give immediate aid and find lasting solutions for future generations. United Way mobilizes members of the community to be first responders in repairing the education level, financial stability and health of everyone in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties through donation and volunteer opportunities. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.