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50/50 Grant Helps Families Pay Heat Bills 
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Due to high unemployment rates and increased needs with heating bills, many hard working St. Joseph County families are in need of more help during the winter months. A grant from an anonymous benefactor is helping United Way meet local family's heating needs. This matching grant has aided families in paying their heat bills during the winter heat moratorium from November through March in 2008 and 2009, and will again in 2010 - 2011. Local agencies identify families who need this assistance each month to pay their heating bill.
To qualify for the program, clients register with the Community Access Network (CAN), agree to meet monthly with a case coordinator to work toward a goal of their determination and attend one or more sessions with a budget coach. The grant will match the first $50 paid each month by the client for up to five months of the moratorium, thus the name "50/50."
In the first year, over 100 households participated in the program with amazing results. Bills were paid on time each month, homes were heated, clients were not disconnected in March, and many families improved their budgeting skills and stayed with the CAN program working on their long-term goals. Local agencies value the program because it allows clients to set and achieve goals for their families. Clients value the program because they feel empowered to achieve success. Last season, we served almost 200 families with even greater results. This kind of program for local families and the organizations who serve them offers tools and pathways to long-term solutions! For more information about this program, call 2-1-1.
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New United Way Leadership Blog
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Today, as we celebrate National Boss's Day, we would like to show our appreciation for our company sponsors, donors, and employee campaign managers. As a thank you for their support, we are launching a new "Leadership Blog" on our website. Each month, articles from Through Eagles Eyes, written by Diane Winn and Tom Searcy, will be posted on the Leadership Blog. These inspirational articles will discuss today's management and leadership hot topics. United Way would like to support those that support us as they manage and lead their teams. Happy Boss's Day! http://www.uwsjc.org/resources/leadership-blog.htmlDiane Winn and Thomas Searcy co-founded Through Eagles Eyes, Inc. in 2006. Through Eagles Eyes delivers dynamic interactive presentations, workshops and one-on-one coaching which accelerate the process toward reaching clients' essential goals. Its team of professionals impart principles and skills which lead to excellence in the workplace, enhanced results and solid leadership. Individual clients develop balance, joy and confidence in their lives. Through Eagles Eyes provides everything except clients' unwavering commitment to their success.
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2010 Campaign Update
The 2010 annual campaign had a strong start, compared to the past two years. This year, we had 30 Pacesetter companies, many of which are showing increases in participation rates and/or total donations/pledges. A select group of businesses take on the challenge to "jump start" the annual campaign by becoming a Pacesetter. The success and excitement generated by our Pacesetter companies help to inspire other organizations to follow their lead when running their own campaigns.
In addition, many of our largest leadership donors have also indicated that their gifts will either remain stable or be increased from last year. By mid-October, we expect to have final results from the campaign. We are most fortunate to have received a matching grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways for a maximum of $370,000. This grant is available to leverage new and increased donations from 2009 through December 2011. However, we hope that it is possible for us to access the entire grant dollars during this campaign year. Provisions of the match will make it possible for us to strengthen our focus on the priority areas of Education, Income, and Health.
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Some things are very important & some are not.
We are given life to find out the difference.
- Anna F. Trevison
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PASS IT ON!
Forward this eNewsletter
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You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. If you know someone who would be interested in what's going on with United Way of St. Joseph County, please pass it on!
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Did you know?
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Q: Is my contribution tax deductible?
A: Yes, your gift is tax deductible if you itemize your deduction.
Want to know more?
Ask a question and you will be answered by a UW staff member. Your question may be featured in next month's newsletter!
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Dialing 2-1-1 enables you to find human, health, and social services in our community quickly and efficiently. 2-1-1 currently lists 609 agencies in the St. Joseph County database that represent 1,878 programs available in our community.
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UW National News
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A special message during
the football season:
For more than 30 years, United Way and the National Football League (NFL) and its teams have been working together to help strengthen America's communities, and we could sure use your help. Whether it's coaching a youth football team, spending time with seniors or serving hot meals at a soup kitchen, we can all get in the game and make a difference in our own way. It starts with one person-- you--deciding to do something to make the community a better place. Remember, community isn't a spectator sport.
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Money Smart Week
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 October 16-23 is Money Smart Week, a program of the Federal Reserve that promotes financial literacy and wellness. United Way is proud to be coordinating two free seminars: "Retirement Confusion? Get the Answers!" on 10/20 and "ABC's of Credit, Credit Card Laws, Credit Fraud and Credit Repair" on 10/23. Check out www.uwsjc.org/news-and-events/in-the-news/159-money-smart-week to find out more information about the events and how to preregister.
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Pacesetter Update
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Metzger Mancini & Lackner, a new member of our campaign family, just last year, increased by 67%. Thank you, Joe Mancini!
Nyloncraft raised their giving 21%. They increased in every area, corporate gifts, employee gifts, payroll and employee participation! That's an amazing increase! MaryClare Osborn is their very strong ECM. Thank you, Mary Clare!
After a myriad of special events, including a band performance by Autumn Leeds & the Yellow River Band, Press Ganey realized an 11% increase. Thank you, Maria Mason and team!
Also, we'd like to give a special acknowledgement to our partner agencies who have given this campaign an extra special boost:
El Campito - 40% over last year. Thank you, Susan Enamorado and staff!
La Casa de Amistad - 100% participation, once again, and a 28% increase over last year. Thank you, Rebecca Ruvalcaba and staff!
RiverBend Cancer Services - 62% over last year. Thank you, Kate Voelker and staff!
United Health Services - 2% over last year. Thank you, Mary Heck and staff!
YWCA of St. Joseph County - 29% over last year. Thank you, Linda Baechle and staff!
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Why I LIVE UNITED - Greg Downes
| The following is an explanation of why Greg Downes, 2010 United Way Campaign Co-Chair, LIVES UNITED.
 "I was fortunate enough to be raised by two loving parents who taught me to Work Hard, Play Hard and try to Make a Difference in everything I did. I can hear my mother saying, ' Greg, if you're not going to do your best, why do it at all ?' My teachers said the same thing, and by the time I was 30 or so, it finally sunk in.
United Way has always meant to me that if we can get lots and lots of people to contribute a little money and volunteer a little time, it can all add up to make a huge impact on the lives of those who are less fortunate than we are and actually inspire hope at the same time.
If we can improve EDUCATION by helping kids prepare for school, stay in school and graduate, we can LIVE UNITED.
If we can increase INCOME by helping people get and maintain good jobs and become financially independent, we can LIVE UNITED.
If we can improve HEALTH by teaching people to make good decisions and stay active, we can LIVE UNITED.
INSPIRE HOPE
MAKE AN IMPACT
LIVE UNITED"
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Our Great Agency Partners - YMCA
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YMCA Urban Youth Services, a program funded by United Way, started the 2010-2011 school year with exciting new programs and activities, all focused on helping our community prepare high school graduates who will be productive young citizens for our community. Intermediate Life Skills Coaching continues at all of the SBCSC Intermediate Schools and Xavier School of Excellence, while Male and Female Achievers continues to help high school students succeed at the four local high schools. Additionally, for the first time, YMCA Urban Youth Services is providing afterschool programming at all five of the South Bend Community School Corporation High Schools; included in the programming, parents and students are offered an educational series monthly at the Michiana Family YMCA.
"Life Skills University"
At YMCA Urban Youth Services, the focus is creating a well rounded life-long learning experience for not just youth members, but the families of participants as well. Experience and research has indicated that often guardians inadvertently undermine the positive progress young people work so hard to achieve. At times, our youth's guardians are uncomfortable, or even threatened by the social and character development they see in their children - not because they see it as unhealthy or unwanted but because they feel left behind. Therefore, the YMCA has developed a curriculum to coach kids and their parents in parallel so that they grow together, leading to an environment of support and hope, and not of fear and envy. This program is being offered monthly at the Michiana Family YMCA on Northside Boulevard.
Some of the parental activities include:- Financial Peace University- Budget and money planning.
- Apprentice Academy Workshop- Young parents receive free introduction to trade school training and credit towards fees.
- Health and Fitness Training- Parents are taught how to respond and participate as a family on a journey of healthy living.
- Core Values Training and Coaching- Active sessions on core values and continued support from coaches as long as their kids maintain good standing.
- Academic Contract Participation- Parents sign a contract to support kids' efforts and are rewarded with an invitation to recognition (achievers) luncheon.
- Fun Workshops- For parents wanting to learn a variety of things from making a great chicken dinner to building a bookshelf. Professionals conduct workshops in these areas.
Anyone interested in learning more about the programming at YMCA Urban Youth Services should contact Milt Lee, Executive Director, at mlee@sbcsc.k12.in.us or 283-7607.
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Hope Ministries' Adopt a Family
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Every year, dozens of individuals, families, businesses and churches help to provide Christmas gifts for the 100+ residents of Hope Ministries. In late October, each man, woman and child at Hope Ministries writes a personalized "Christmas wish list" of items totaling no more than $75.00 a person. These lists can range from very practical household items to very fun, wishful items! From late October until December 17, these "wish lists" will be matched up with generous donors in the community who commit to providing gifts for Hope residents. For many residents at Hope Ministries, the Christmas season can be a reminder of their painful family relationships and life circumstances. These gifts help to assure Hope residents that they are loved and valued and that there is hope. 
There are currently 18 families, 16 single women and 35 single men, at Hope Ministries who will be in need of Christmas gifts. If you would like to "adopt" a man, woman, child or family from Hope Ministries and receive their Christmas wish list(s), please contact Sarah Greenawalt at (574) 235-4150, ext. 231 or sgreenawalt@hopesb.org. The unwrapped gifts can be delivered to Hope Ministries' Family Life Center (432 S. Lafayette Blvd. in South Bend).
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Host an Employee Campaign
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United Way encourages local businesses to help with mobilizing the caring power of our community. Each year, several local companies give to United Way through workplace campaigns. Find out more about how you can host an employee campaign.
Here's another great testimonial from one of our 2009 Employee Campaign Managers:
"I have been volunteering as a campaign coordinator since 1997, 12 years, in various counties at various employers. I ask others for their financial gifts because I know that now, more than ever, every dollar counts. I give of my time because I have seen difficulty before and have used the agencies of the United Way. I understand that what I have is a gift, or good circumstances, or just good luck, and I want to share that positive spirit with others so that they know that temporary circumstances do not have to become permanent stumbling blocks for their success."
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Become a VITA Volunteer
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It's not too late to become a trained IRS-certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparer! 
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is the IRS-certified program that prepares and e-files tax returns FREE OF CHARGE for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
Become an IRS-Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparer and learn how to help your friends and neighbors take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly. No previous training is required.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities:
- Greeters at tax preparation sites
- Screeners to determine eligibility
Free training has already begun.
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