United Way of San Luis Obispo County
Live United - United Way
January 2011 - Youth Board at Share A Tree
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January 2011 eNewsletter

Share A Tree

Share a Tree was a success once again! Thank you to our generous volunteers and donors:

Pictured above: Nicole Kingsley, Sara Hall, Emily Krauss, Gyalin Byars, Karaline Bridgeford, JohnAugust Bridgeford, Emma Phillips, Elizabeth Trujillo (Youth Board Members) and Harmony Salgado, Charter Communications.


Nonviolent Communication Workshops

United Way is now offering both introductory and intermediate courses in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to support peaceful classrooms and communities. NVC is a concrete set of language and communication skills that transcend age boundaries and circumstances. These 6 week class series are both designed for pre K-9 school teachers and parents. Participants are trained to help youth to:

  • Honestly express what they are feeling and needing in any situation
  • Recognize empathetic connection with what another is feeling and needing
  • Make clear, doable, present moment requests of what they would like
  • Effectively move a conversation step-by-step toward a win-win situation
  • Open a difficult conversation without implying blame
  • Express regret without beating themselves up in the process
  • Learn to hear what other students are really trying to say
  • Hear the needs behind challenging messages/behaviors, i.e. bullying

Fee is $150, and introductory classes include the book. Scholarships are available, and class size is limited. Learn more at unitedwayslo.org/NVC or by calling (805) 541-1234.


Live United in 2011
Candy Markwith

Candy Markwith

President, UWSLOC Board of Directors

This past year United Way of SLO County has been focused on a goal-driven, results-oriented agenda that worked to advance the common good by creating opportunities for everyone to have a better quality of life.  By bringing people together, united through a purpose of helping others, we have the ability to create long lasting changes.  And unite we must in 2011!  For thousands of SLO County residents, the basic ingredients for success are increasingly beyond reach.  That is why we offer and support programs that focus on education, income and health - the building blocks for a good life.  The United Way movement was started in 1887, during dire times in local communities.  It started from a simple notion, that we are better together - and the idea still rings true today.  That is why I invite you this new year to do what you can - whether it's volunteering, giving financial contributions or offering a smile to someone else, reaching out does make us feel better. It also makes us better people, and a better community.
 

Speaking of volunteering, I am pleased to announce that we have also added three new members to our Board:  Patrick Holcomb (Bank of America), Hans Poschman (Senator Sam Blakeslee's Office) and Patrick Weller (Pacific West Energy Solutions).  These gentlemen join in serving with the members of our executive committee:  Carl Dudley (Mission Community Bank), Frank Fertschneider (Director Emeritus), Joy Harkins (Cal Poly State University), Monica Irons (City of San Luis Obispo), Wade O'Hagan (SJL Broadcast Management Corporation), Char Storlie (The Mortgage House) and our other directors:  Carla Berkefeld (Glenn, Burdette, Phillips & Bryson), Penny Borenstein (County of San Luis Obispo), Barbara Heki (AT&T), John Lindsey (PG&E), Lance Parker (Securities America) and Tom Sullivan (Director Emeritus).  I would like to publicly thank these fine individuals for their service to our community and for guiding the United Way organization.  We look forward to serving you, our supporters, and those in need during the coming year.  If you would like to help us, please contact United Way.

Jeans Day for United Way

Jeans Day at First BankFirst Bank of San Luis Obispo raised $278 during a month long "Jeans Day" fundraiser to support United Way's Community Impact Fund. During the month of November, United Way set up a display in the downtown SLO and Marigold Center branches.  First Bank employees, and their customers, were invited to donate to United Way.  Any employee making a contribution was allowed to wear blue jeans to work every Friday throughout the month.  Several more dollars were raised in December through their sale of candy grams.  The money raised will be used to fund local programs that meet needs in education, income and health.
 

First Bank employees have also participated in special events this past year such as KidSpree and Stuff the Bus.  Special thanks to Marian Anderson, Vice President and Relationship Manager, for helping to facilitate the fundraiser (pictured above with Resource Development Coordinator Horace Morana).

Workplace Giving - The Simplest Way To Give Back!

The United Way workplace campaign has been called one of the greatest social inventions in American history. Working together with employers and employees United Way of San Luis Obispo County invites you to start a Workplace Giving Program. Read more about it online.
 

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Children reading books from Imagination LibraryJanuary is the last month to make a donation to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library downtown at Kevin Main Jewelry, however, year round you can give the gift of reading to a child online at www.unitedwayslo.org.


Kevin and Kathi Main challenged the community to meet and exceed their $1,000 donation and so far, almost $2,000 additional dollars have been raised. Join us in our efforts and sponsor a child today! Kevin Main Jewelry is located at 720 Higuera Street, and can be reached at (805) 547-0662.
 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The SLO County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Coalition is seeking volunteers to provide supervised basic federal/state income tax return preparation utilizing Tax Wise software for families and individuals earning less than $40,000 per year. Volunteers will learn the basics of tax preparation and assist low income families and individuals with their taxes as part of the free income tax assistance program. Contact Rachel Cementina for more information. 
 

Coats for Christmas Day

Coats for Christmas

The Jewish Community and several other local partners raised funds to provide 200 warm, heavy duty coats for the homeless population as part of their Coats for Christmas Day program.  Coats were distributed at their annual holiday dinner for the homeless on December 25, 2010. Thank you to everyone that made a donation!
 

Opportunity Exchange

Take a moment to read through the monthly Opportunity Exchange, a 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.

Contact Us

 

United Way of SLO County

P.O. Box 14309

San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Office (805) 541-1234

Fax (805) 543-5317

info@ unitedwayslo.org

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