May 2008 eNewsletter

Sarah Phillips, a 4^th year Microbiology student at Cal Poly, spent her spring break in Southwest Louisiana as part of United Way of America's Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. During the three one-week trips, over 500 students helped rebuild communities near Detroit and the Gulf Coast.

Sarah volunteered in Lake Charles, Louisiana, an area in the gulf coast situated between Houston and New Orleans. Over 100 people from across the country, spanning as far as Maine and Alaska, were participants in that week of service. Teams of 7-8 piled into vans and went to different locations around the city. Sarah's team went to Moss Bluff and began work at the home of a mentally disturbed man who had a hoarding problem. In his backyard, they found 12 refrigerators and 15 microwaves. After that, they joined another group who was cleaning the house and yard of an 80 year old woman who lived alone. Ironically, the woman's name was Audrey, which is also the name of a hurricane in the 1950's, and she had a daughter named Katrina, which is the name of the 2005 hurricane that devastated New Orleans.

Sarah is originally from Sonoma County, and also volunteers with the public health department. Click here for more information on United Way ASB.

When looking for an employer, young people are increasingly taking a company's corporate social responsibility practices into consideration.  Among Gen Y, making a difference in the workplace and the world is an increasingly high priority. Studies show that 77 percent of students plan to focus on securing jobs that are socially responsible throughout their career. Young people participating in United Way programs like Alternative Spring Break sponsored by Deloitte and FedEx, recognize the commitment these companies have to the community. "Prior to the ASB program, I did not realize the extent to which Deloitte and FedEx partnered with communities and nonprofits," remarked one ASB participant. "I now better recognize that there are simple ways to get involved and make a difference in the community through my employer." Read more about Gen Y's perspective on corporate social responsibility and volunteerism.

The group was addressed by Assemblywoman Karen Bass, Speaker Elect representing Los Angeles' 47^th Assembly District and by Secretary Karen Baker, Secretary of Service and Volunteerism.  Speaker-Elect Bass made national history as the first African American woman to serve as California's 67^th speaker in this powerful state legislative role and underscored the unprecedented nature of California's present budget crisis, while Secretary Baker, Governor Schwarzenegger's first time appointee to his newly created cabinet position, emphasized the need to cultivate and manage volunteerism innovatively in their remarks to the group.

The rest of the day was spent meeting with various Members of the Legislature, including Senator Abel Maldonado and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee's offices. Members were encouraged to maintain current annual reporting requirements so children do not lose their health coverage due to unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape, as well as to stop premium increases to help working families, in tough economic times, to be able to afford to pay premiums and co-pays for their children's health coverage.

Members were also reminded about the need to achieve statewide 2-1-1 coverage, the nationwide telephone number that connects people with local community services. Covering 84% of California's population, 19 counties, including San Luis Obispo, are now fully operational.  2-1-1 now serves 225 million Americans in all or part of 45 states, serving over 75 percent of the U.S. population.

"It was an energetic day of advocacy," said Rick London. "I was delighted to learn how many of our state legislatures were supportive and informed about the Children's Health Initiative and surprised at how many became enlightened to the benefits of 2-1-1 by our visit. I especially enjoyed getting to meet Secretary Karen Baker." 

On February 26, Governor Schwarzenegger took first-in-the nation action to encourage volunteerism in California and to improve coordination of volunteer efforts between the state's departments and agencies. The Governor signed an executive order to establish the new position of Secretary of Service and Volunteering. It will raise the profile of service in California to a national level, improve coordination of vital volunteer activities statewide and support local service efforts and encourage more Californians to become involved with service and volunteerism."I'm a big believer in uniting people to create change and achieve a positive legacy in their own lives, in their communities, in their state and beyond and it is through the act of service that this goal can be attained. Today as we elevate service, we elevate our fellow Californians to be 38 million strong," said California's First Lady, Maria Shriver.

California's volunteers have a positive multi-billion dollar impact on the state's economy every year. In 2006, volunteers contributed approximately 858 million hours of service to the California economy, a value of more than $17.4 billion. A one percent increase in the number of Californians who volunteer would equal approximately 365,000 new volunteers contributing 48 million hours, which is equal to nearly $1 billion in service to the state.