| Newsletter Highlights |
| Calling all groups! Get together and participate in Make A Difference Day or collaborate at the Collaboration Forum. Got high school students? Apply for a grant for youth or get involved with Junior Achievement. |
 Make A Difference Day 2009
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| Workplaces, families, individuals, and groups are invited to join with over 300 community members to lend a hand to local nonprofit agencies as part of Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 24. The breakfast kickoff begins at 9 a.m. at Cal Poly, and participants volunteer around SLO County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking on campus is free, and participants are provided with a free continental breakfast and lunch. Last year over 25 Make a Difference Day projects were scheduled with organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy, SLO County Historical Society, the Alzheimers Association, and the SLO Little Theatre, pictured above. Visit www.VolunteerSLO.org to learn more. |
| Meet Karen Baker, CA Secretary of Service and Volunteering
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Don't miss a special reception with Karen Baker, California State Secretary of Service and Volunteering, on Friday, October 23, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Adult School in SLO! In the first position of its kind in the country, Ms. Baker serves as the leader of CaliforniaVolunteers, the state office charged with managing programs and initiatives to increase the number and impact of Californians involved with service and volunteering. The reception, addressing the importance of volunteers to nonprofits and their ability to work together, will close the 2009 Nonprofit Collaboration Forum. Register by October 19 to attend the reception-including appetizers and opportunities for networking-for just $10! Visit the Nonprofit Support Center to register, or CollaborationSLO for more information.
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Grants Available for Youth Projects
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 The United Way Youth Board has three $1,000 grants available to local youth. Individuals and groups are encouraged to apply for funding for programs and projects that have a positive impact on youth (up to age 19), and incorporate some developmental principles, such as the 40 Developmental Assets. Strong applications will be creative and realistic, and primarily benefit the community, not just the project planners. Student submitted applications must have an adult advisor and a sponsoring organization to act as a fiscal agent. Applications are due January 8, 2010. Materials available at www.unitedwayslo.org. |
| Bringing Financial Literacy to Students
By Stephen Pocoroba, United Way Volunteer |
United Way and Junior Achievement have taken a huge step this year by joining forces for a Financial Literacy program directed at high school seniors. Junior Achievement provides the curriculum and the United Way provides the implementation - the perfect partnership. United Way recognizes that partnerships are becoming invaluable to maintaining the nonprofit impact in the community and the shoe fit perfectly for the organizations. In the past few weeks the program has entered four economics classes at San Luis Obispo High School in a grueling five-session crash course to instilling financial awareness. In the upcoming year these students will make one of the most important decisions in their lives: what next? Options such as four year universities, junior colleges, and full-time jobs will throw these young men and women into unfamiliar situations where financial aid checks, family support, and job income will have to be budgeted for the month, quarter, or semester. The program forces high school students to ponder the important financial decisions that are closer than they seem such as insurance, credit, investments, identity theft, and budgeting. The program is making very good progress, and we plan to expand the program's audience next year. I am proud to be part of this exceptional group of unpaid volunteers trying to make a difference for the new generation.
Special thanks to Mr. Michael Lee of San Luis Obispo High School who recognizes the importance of financial literacy and has allowed us to bring the program into his classroom. |
Giving Back to Those That Give
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| On October 14, proprietors Kevin and Kathi Main hosted a reception for local nonprofit leaders at Kevin Main Jewelry in downtown San Luis Obispo. They provided a very warm "thank you for doing what you do" by treating their guests to refreshments and appetizers from Novo, all in the comfort of their beautiful store filled with sparkling jewels. Co-hosted by United Way, the gathering was a relaxing time to be able to get away from the usual things that bring these individuals together - meetings, emails, solving issues, looking for donors and advocating for clients - even if just for a couple of hours. Thank you to Kevin and Kathi Main and their entire team for their thoughtfulness in recognizing local nonprofit professionals.
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Costco Partners with United Way |
This year Costco is celebrating the 26th anniversary of its partnership with United Way. As part of their mission, Costco continues to give back and support the communities where they do business. So, during Costco's annual employee workplace campaign, Costco members can donate directly to United Way of SLO County's Community Impact Fund directly from the Costco website.United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life - a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. The campaign runs from now until October 31st. Donate at https://volunteer.united-e-way.org/costco/donate/ |
State Campaign in Full Swing
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 The 2009-2010 California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC) began on September 1 and will continue through October 31. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the campaign. United Way of San Luis Obispo County has once again been selected by the state to oversee the CSECC in SLO County. This year, the CSECC goal is to make sure that every state employee is at least asked to give what they can to charities that need our help now more than ever. United Way thanks all state employees for their support of this year's campaign. |
Your Workplace Can Make an Impact
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Workplace Campaign contributions that go to our Community Impact Fund are carefully and responsibly invested in programs that make the greatest impact on the most critical needs in our local communities.
Employee payroll donations multiply the effect of one individual and help United Way to help others. Just think what one person's donation, multiplied by hundreds or thousands more can do for the people in our county! Each year, more than 300 local companies both large and small sponsor ongoing employee giving programs and contribute corporate gifts to the United Way of SLO County Community Impact Fund.
Workplace Campaigns are easy, convenient, and improve the quality of life here on the Central Coast. Contact us today for information about starting or growing a Workplace Campaign by calling (805) 541-1234. We can tailor the campaign to fit the needs of your particular organization and employees. Remember, what's raised in SLO County stays in SLO County! |
Central Coast Volunteer Corps
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 Central Coast Volunteer Corps (CCVC) is launching its recruitment for 2010! CCVC members serve at local nonprofit agencies and receive a monthly living allowance. Members gain marketable skills and receive specialized trainings and professional development opportunities.
Potential placement sites include: Senior Nutrition Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Nonprofit Support Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Transitions- Mental Health Association, Independent Living Program, and the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention (SARP) Center.
For more information, contact Jesse Torrey, Program Coordinator, Central Coast Volunteer Corps at (805) 756-5338 or jtorrey@calpoly.edu. |
| Opportunity Exchange |
Looking for volunteer events or jobs in the nonprofit profession? The holidays are coming up and local nonprofit organizations need your help.
Take a moment to read through the list of items needed, volunteer and employment opportunities, upcoming events, items available, and advocacy opportunities. If you would like more information, please contact the agency directly using the information provided in each listing. Click here to view the most recent 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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Make Your Loss Someone Else's Gain |
Are you ready to feel great in your jeans? Take the Special K challenge to drop a jean size in 2 weeks, and to celebrate your success, send 5 Special K Tokens from specially marked packages and Kelloggs will donate $10 to United Way.
Kellogg Company has partnered with United Way to strengthen communities for more than 80 years. Look on specially marked packages for more information.
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Check out the Youth Board, and other United Way programs on Facebook! |
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