| Newsletter Highlights |
| Discover ways to make a difference even on the tightest budget, mark your calendar for the inaugural Flavor of SLO event, and learn about one of the many ways Community Impact Fund donations are changing lives in our community. |
 Make a Difference...Without Giving a Cent |
Charity is often mistakenly associated with giving monetary donations. However, while charitable nonprofits throughout SLO County value financial support, there are a number of ways you can help that won't cost a penny. Join us in making an impact in the lives of those in need: Live United!
Look for opportunities within your field of work to reach out to those in need, following the example of FedEx who offered free resume printing for job seekers across the nation on March 10. Involve your business, church, club, or circle of friends in a food or clothing drive, or host a group yard sale and donate the proceeds to charity. Volunteer! To find out how to get involved during National Volunteer Week (April 19 - 25) and throughout the year, go to volunteerslo.org. Express your passion for your favorite charity/volunteer activity through a YouTube video or Facebook page. You'll be surprised how many will be influenced to join your cause!
Use food wisely at parties, then donate leftover food to a homeless shelter or a family you know is in need.
Navigate the web using a charity-oriented search engine. With each search you'll earn money for a worthy cause.
Instill a desire to help in your children by creating a family charity project. Set a goal for the whole family to pitch in at least once a month.
Teach a skill-set to someone less fortunate than yourself: If you're computer savvy, teach an elderly neighbor the basics or train volunteers for a nonprofit. If you sew, share your talent with a single mother.
Encourage those in need; show them how to volunteer and get involved. By helping them discover their talents and abilities, you will remind them that they are a valuable part of the community and they too can make a difference.
Donate food, clothes, unused toiletries, and even your old car to a local charity. Even a little bit makes a big difference! |
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Children's Day a Success! |
 Thank you to everyone who stopped by the United Way booth and Born Learning Trail on Saturday, April 11 at Children's Day in the Plaza! We had plenty of educational materials for parents, including grocery store tip pads, play books and coloring pages for kids, as well as some snacks donated by New Frontiers. With good attendance and lots of great performances, it was another successful event! If you didn't have a chance to say hello, look for us next at the Birth and Baby Fair on Saturday May 9, also in Mission Plaza. |
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Save the Date! |
Join us for the first ever "Flavor of SLO" event on Sunday, May 31 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. for a beautiful day in Mitchell Park with great food, live music and fun events for people of all ages. Sample some of the most flavorful food and beverages in the county at an unbeatable price - only $15-28/ticket! A Family package is also available for $65. All proceeds of this event will be donated to Alpha Pregnancy Counseling & Support and the United Way of SLO County. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.flavorofslo.com. |
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Sitting Down with the Senator
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 Recently, several United Way partners had the opportunity to sit down with Senator Abel Maldonado to share their concerns about the state budget crisis and the financial problems facing our local families. Stories were shared with the Senator about the impact on San Luis Obispo children and families when deep budget cuts are made to programs already struggling with low reimbursement rates.
The Senator talked about the difficult choices that faced state legislators this year in balancing the California budget. He also discussed the pressure he faced in choosing to vote for passage of the budget, rather than see California continue to suffer from legislative inaction. His hope is that people throughout his district recognize that by voting "yes," California was able to re-start paying for infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, water ways), 2008 tax rebates could begin to be mailed out and payments for safety net services could be released. He believes Californians needed the budget to be signed.
Senator Maldonado continues to play a pivotal role in the political landscape of Sacramento. The United Way and other stakeholders were honored that he and his staff took time to hear our concerns. We look forward to working together towards finding alternative funding mechanisms that keep San Luis Obispo County's families safe and secure, while California's economic picture brightens. |
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Who's Next? |
This month our Resource Development team is diligently working with businesses countywide to launch new Workplace Giving Campaigns. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce , Susan Polk Insurance and Wal-Mart have recently renewed their generous campaign commitment, with MINDBODY www.mindbodyonline.com adding their support through the commencement of a new Workplace Giving Campaign.
Workplace managers view the Campaigns as a comprehensive way to provide a low-cost benefit that raises employee morale, while providing a unique opportunity to learn about local volunteer needs that can be serve as team-building activities. Employees feel grateful to make a collective and positive impact on the critical needs of the communities they live in, and enjoy learning about the variety of services available for them and their families through United Way-supported programs.
The United Way staff is currently working diligently alongside business owners to identify ways to promote their company's generosity. If you know of a business that would like to learn more about a Workplace Giving Campaign please call Tara at 541-1234 ext. 15. Together, UNITED, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. |
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  Letter Carriers' Food Drive
- Tuesday, May 9 - |
| In its 17th year, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive to "Stamp Out Hunger" is the largest annual one-day food drive in the nation, collecting 73.1 million pounds of food last year alone. However, as successful as this food drive has been in the past, NALC President William H. Young emphasizes that, with millions of families struggling to make ends meet, it must be even better this year! "More than ever food banks, pantries and shelters need our help. As families count on them for support, they're counting on us and we must not back off on our commitment."
To help, simply place non-perishable food in your mailbox on May 9th. Your letter carrier will collect the donations that day and deliver them to the Post Office, at which time the Food Bank Coalition will take charge of distributing the donations to local agencies. Atascadero and Morro Bay Post Office locations are the only exceptions, with food at those offices being picked up directly by Atascadero Loaves and Fishes in Atascadero and the Salvation Army respectively.
Please support local struggling families; join us in making this the biggest food drive San Luis Obispo County has ever seen! |
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Monthly Phone Thank |
 United Way has been dialing for donors - just to say "thank you". For the past few months our volunteers from the Board of Directors and the Resource Development Committee have been calling on past and current supporters to extend our appreciation. While some folks cautiously listened and awaited the dreaded "ask", it never came. We just wanted them to know how thankful we are for their generosity which enables United Way to continue its work in our local communities. So if you hear us on the line, make our day and allow our volunteers to just say, "thanks".
Pictured Above: Char Storlie of The Mortgage House, Chair of United Way's Resource Development Committee. |
The Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention Center: Restoring Lives One Day at A Time |
Recently, Jill Doyle, a therapist employed through a United Way Community Impact Fund grant, received a letter from a former client, "Tammy". In it she explained that when she thinks about Jill and her therapy at the SARP Center, she is reminded that her therapist continues to be the safest person she knows. She tapped into this remembrance of safety, resourcefully wrote of her accomplishments, and regretfully told of resurfacing emotional pain resulting from her former childhood sexual abuse.
Tammy reported that she has fulfilled the goals that were before her when she concluded therapy. She completed her education and is employed in her dream job where she earns a fine salary. She enjoys her place of employment and the people in her life, and now lives in a safe environment. She has even experienced happiness.
However, Tammy also wrote that she has learned that even though the sexual abuse stopped for her when she left for school, the abuse continued within her family system. Learning of the sexual abuse of her younger siblings shocked her with overwhelming emotions. How could this happen twice in her family? Although she had found her strength through therapy and moved forward in her life, she is now painfully aware of the insidious nature of the sexual abuse that she experienced within her family.
Unfortunately, Tammy's situation is all too common. According to national statistics, one in three women and one in 11 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. This means that in San Luis Obispo County, upwards of 42,000 women and 11,000 men will be victims of this crime. But during these painful, tragic times, the SARP Center is there, providing crisis intervention services, clinical counseling, prevention education and self defense classes to survivors, their significant others and the community.
With the help of funding from the United Way, together a young teen, a young therapist and the SARP Center accomplished and brought safety and healing to Tammy. But the challenge remains for this former client, her former therapist, and the SARP Center---to continue their work toward the ending of sexual abuse and the transformation of survivors still suffering the effects of sexual abuse.
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Annual Recognition Event - Thursday, June 11th |
  Mark your calendar for United Way's Annual Recognition Event as we celebrate community successes and honor our dedicated volunteers and loyal supporters. This year's event will be held at the beautiful Dallidet Adobe & Gardens in downtown San Luis Obispo from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We hope to see you there. |
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Come To The Table |
 Organized by Creative Mediation, "Come To The Table" is a 12-month long public awareness campaign designed to help families, co-workers, neighbors and organizations find a better way to resolve conflict and work through difficult situations. To learn more about this campaign or any of the free events offered during its inaugural week (May 11th - 15th), please view the "Come To The Table" website or our Opportunity Exchange. |
| Opportunity Exchange |
You can help a SLO County nonprofit agency by taking a moment to read through the list of items needed, volunteer and employment opportunities, upcoming events, items available, and advocacy opportunities. If you can help by donating an item or by volunteering, or if you want more information about a job posting, please contact the agency directly using the information provided in each listing. Click here to view the Opportunity Exchange. | |
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United Way of SLO County
P.O. Box 14309
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Office (805) 541-1234
Fax (805) 543-5317
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was established to honor the dedicated individuals who donate their time and efforts to their community wherever a need exists. See the many unique ways National Volunteer Week will be celebrated this year:
●Several significant recognition events will be held celebrating leaders in the field of service, including a reception on Capitol Hill honoring Senators Kennedy and Hatch for their efforts behind the Serve America Act and also an induction ceremony for the Extra Mile.
●Volunteer Fairs will be held, many of which are sponsored by corporations geared towards increasing volunteerism among their workforce.
●Twelve-year old Bilaal Rajan will kick off his shoes and go barefoot the entire week in order to gain a better understanding of the struggles faced by poor children in underdeveloped countries where many cannot afford shoes. The Barefoot Initiative is expected to be one of the largest celebrations of volunteerism in North America, and is even gaining momentum with people in countries as far away as Australia, Afghanistan, England, Switzerland, Thailand, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania.
Volunteers: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Contribution |
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Check out the Youth Board, Emerging Leaders Circle, and other United Way programs on Facebook! |
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