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United Way of San Luis Obispo County Live United - United Way
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September 2008 eNewsletter





Newsletter Highlights
Included in this eNewsletter, you will find information about the Community Collaboration Grant, Collaboration Summit, Youth Board, CSECC, Make a Difference DayFree Prescription Drug Discount Cards and the Nonprofit Wish List.




CommunityCollaborationGrant1$75,000 Community Collaboration Grant Awarded 
To create lasting and impactful change in the community, United Way of SLO County has embarked on a journey to work with local partners to address the root causes of our county's most challenging issues.  This process began to gain momentum in November 2007, when we received 24 Letters of Interest from a variety of nonprofit agency collaboratives.  When these were reviewed by a committee of community volunteers, it became evident that one way to have the greatest effect in the future is by impacting youth now.  Helping children and youth achieve their potential will help our community remain a safe, healthy and supportive place to live.
 
With this in mind, in June United Way accepted proposals for seven programs that serve youth in some way.  After a second round of reviews, we are excited to announce the recipient of the Community Collaboration Grant as the San Luis Obispo County Child Abuse Prevention Council.  The grant will be used to expand the Beginnings collaborative, which is dedicated to ensuring that every child is born free of the effects of alcohol, tobacco and drug exposure.  Though prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth defects, developmental disorders and mental retardation in children, in 2004 35% of local women screened for alcohol and/or tobacco use during their early pregnancy (before they knew they were pregnant) tested positive for alcohol use.*  We are looking forward to working with the Child Abuse Prevention Council to address these issues in greater detail and keeping the community informed of the progress that is made.
 
*Data compiled by Beginnings of San Luis Obispo County, using the 4P's Plus� screening tool.




CollaborationSummitRegister Now for the Collaboration Summit!
Registration information is now online for the Collaboration Summit, a community-wide conversation focused on the impending state and county government budget cuts.  The Summit will be held on Friday, September 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in SLO.  Speakers will include Jean Ross, Executive Director of the California Budget Project; County Supervisors Jim Patterson and Katcho Achadjian; David Edge, Chief Administrative Officer for San Luis Obispo County; and Jean DeCosta, Dean of Students at California Polytechnic State University.  Visit www.collaborationslo.org for additional details and registration information.




YouthBoardNew Service Opportunity for High School Students
Youth BoardUnited Way announces a new program for high school students interested in learning about nonprofit organizations. Students involved in the United Way Youth Board have the opportunity to make an impact on our community, build leadership and teamwork skills, care for SLO youth, and participate in community service. Each month, students from across the county meet to learn about the community and award grants to local organizations. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2008-2009 board. For more information, visit our website, email Rachel Cementina or call 541-1234.




CSECCReaching for the Stars... Continuing the Legacy
cseccThe 2008-09 California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC) began on September 1 and will continue through October 31. Last year local state employees were able to increase their giving power by $20,000! They pledged almost $188,000 to over 300 nonprofits of their choice. Two kickoff events for state employees were recently held, and both were very successful. Our sincere thanks go out to Peggy Phaklides of Atascadero State Hospital and Lori Marinello of Cal Trans, who were able to provide locations and refreshments for all the state agency "key campaigners" in attendance, and to Michael Thomas of the Governor's Leadership Team for coming to SLO for the kickoffs.
 
Last year's finest in the CSECC included Cal Poly employees who pledged over $50,000, the largest overall amount for SLO County. The largest number of "leadership level" donors (over $500 annually) was also Cal Poly with 19 individuals, followed by Atascadero State Hospital with 7 and Cal Trans with 3. The largest payroll deduction was by a Cal Fire employee who pledged over $2,000. Agencies that increased their overall pledges were CDCR-Regional Accounting, California Highway Patrol, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Military Department including Camp SLO, Camp Roberts and the Grizzly Academy, the Department of Rehabilitation, Cal Trans and the Water Resources Board.
 
The CSECC is the only statutorily authorized workplace campaign for employees of the State of California and was established in 1957 to provide a single, convenient charitable fundraising drive in the State community. United Way serves our local state employees by facilitating the CSECC in our county. There are almost 9,000 state employees here, and over 20 state agencies. Featured in the above photo is Ty Murray, Lilith Chenaux, Sgt. Chuck Jordan, and Michel Duenas. More information on the CSECC can be found at www.csecc.org or by contacting Lilith Chenaux.




MADDMake a Difference Day
Volunteers paint a gazebo at Judson Terrace Retirement CommunityMake a Difference Day is a national day of service where people spend an afternoon doing volunteer work. Community members, students and groups are invited to join United Way and The Community CENTER at Cal Poly in volunteering on Saturday, October 25th. Visit VolunteerSLO for more information, to host a project or sign up to volunteer.




FamilyWizePrescription Drug Discount Cards Still Available
familywizeUnited Way is partnering with FamilyWize to distribute prescription drug discount cards for the uninsured which could save you 35% on medicine. Most pharmacies on the Central Coast have agreed to provide lower pricing to everyone that brings in a FamilyWize prescription drug discount card. 
 
This card is accepted at most pharmacies nationwide, covers all prescription drugs, everyone with no health insurance or prescription coverage, and all medicine not covered by insurance, MediCal, Medicare or other benefit plans. All cards are bilingual, and there are no age, income or residency restrictions, so anyone can use it. There is no registration requirement or enrollment fee, and United Way receives no payment for distributing cards to the community. For more information or to receive a card, contact Rachel Cementina.




WishListNonprofit Wish List
You can help a SLO County nonprofit agency by taking a moment to read through a "wish list" of items and volunteers needed, as well as employment opportunities. If you can help by donating an item or by volunteering, or want more information about a job posting, please contact the agency directly using the information provided in each listing. Click here to view the wish list.





Contact Us

United Way of SLO County
P.O. Box 14309
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Office (805) 541-1234
Fax (805) 543-5317

Quick Links

Swim, Bike, and Run with United Way!
On October 4th, our very own United Way Staff will take on Scott Tinley's Adventures Corporate Challenge.  Join us out at Lake Lopez as we cheer on our team in the On-Road Sprint Triathlon Relay. Campaign Coordinator Lilith Chenaux will be swimming .25 miles in the lake, Community Impact Coordinator Kara Edwall will be biking 12 miles through the rolling hills, and COO Charlene Rosales will be running three miles through Lopez Lake Park. Check out TriCalifornia.com to view the event schedule, course maps, or sign up to challenge our team!
Scott Tinley's
RunAcrossAmericaRun Across America
Ultra-athlete Charlie Engle's run across America to advocate for youth fitness in partnership with United Way will begin in San Francisco on Saturday, September 13, and end in New York City on Monday, October 27. To cross the country in 45 days he'll have to average 70 miles a day. Check out Charlie's mission, "Running America," and the route at the Running America page on LIVE UNITED.org.
 
During the run, a film crew will be following Charlie and capturing his interactions with people who live united by fighting childhood obesity and promoting youth fitness. Charlie is hoping that by the time he reaches his goal, at least 15,000 people will have run with him along the route. We're hoping that many of those runners will be United Way donors, advocates and volunteers - living united on the road.

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