eNews from Inland Empire United Way

	Inland Empire United Way E-NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY

	January 2010
	January 2010

Greetings!

Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support of Inland Empire United Way!

This eNewsletter will keep you up-to-date on our initiatives and programs and inform you of upcoming events.

For more news, announcements, and event information, please visit our website at www.ieuw.org.

Financial Stability Initiative

VITA/EITC Program

Once again the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will commence in February.

The VITA Program offers free tax help to those with low- to moderate-income who are unable to prepare their own tax returns.

Cal Poly Pomona and California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) accounting students will provide FREE income tax preparation services. Assistance is also available for those who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Education Credits, Dependent Care Credit, and/or Child Tax Credit. Additionally, most sites also offer free electronic filing so taxpayers can receive refunds sooner.

For more information and to find a VITA site location near you, please link to our website, link to sbvita.org, or contact Allan Collins, Director, Financial Stability and Volunteer Initiatives, at (909) 980-2857 ext. 243.

Community Voice Mail (CVM)
Inland Empire Community Voice Mail is a program that offers a FREE service that many Americans take for granted... voicemail.

CVM empowers people in crisis and transition by distributing FREE, 24-hour voice mail access directly linking people to jobs, housing, and stability.

Inland Empire Community Voice Mail (CVM) would like to welcome its newest partner:

Social Security Administration - Ontario Office

For more information, please contact Allan Collins, Director, Financial Stability and Volunteer Initiatives/CVM Manager, at (909) 980-2857 ext 243.

Link to learn more about our Financial Stability Initiative.

Education & Health Initiative

Kids Craft Day

Thanks to IEUW School Tools' affiliation with the Kids In Need Foundation, the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) hosted Kids Craft Day in Fontana on January 21.

The event was held at the Boys & Girls Club of Fontana and included free, fun crafts for 200 kids. All products were donated by generous CHA members.

Terri O, a home arts expert, TV host, and celebrity crafter, was on hand to emcee the event. Volunteers from the Target Distribution Center in Fontana and CHA member reps assisted the children with their craft projects.

In addition, CHA Winter Trade Show vendors donated 25 pallets of amazing product - including paint, scrapbooking supplies, yarn and magnets - to our School Tools program. These supplies will be distributed to students in local schools to help encourage creativity and learning.

THANK YOU to our partners at the Kids In Need Foundation and the Craft & Hobby Association for your continued support. With your help, more kids will have the supplies they need to learn and succeed in school.

Link to Kids In Need Foundation

Link to Craft & Hobby Association

Thank You to Our KidSmart Supporters!

Link to view all our current supporters.

Link to learn more about our Education & Health Initiative.

Volunteer Initiative

Thank You AmeriCorps NCCC Green 1 Unit!

Americorps NCCC team Green 1 Unit from Sacramento, California were stationed at the YMCA of Pomona Valley for the past two months helping the YMCA run its after-school program.

HandsOn Inland Empire was fortunate to have a team of Americorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) members dedicate two whole days to cleaning and inventorying HandsOn Inland Empire's warehouse. The Americorps NCCC Green 1 Unit, stationed at the YMCA of Pomona Valley, has devoted their time off from running the YMCA's after-school program to helping other non-profits, such as HandsOn Inland Empire. The work they accomplished at HandsOn Inland Empire has made it easier for its staff and Project Leaders to gather the supplies necessary to successfully run its volunteer projects.

Project Spotlight

Puppy Love (Cuddly Kittens)

Puppy Love made its debut in 2007 and since its inception on the HandsOn Inland Empire calendar it has proved to be one of our most popular volunteer projects, filling up each month. Unfortunately, in the later part of 2008 it was cancelled, but the demand for the project was so high that we managed to get the project up and running again at the Yucaipa Valley Animal Placement Society (Y.A.P.S).

Volunteers come in each month to the animal shelter to socialize dogs, cats, puppies and kittens by walking, playing and showering them with affection and attention. Volunteers have the opportunity to also help around the shelter by filling water bowls, cleaning cat furniture, and lending a much needed hand.

Volunteers who have had the opportunity to join this project have left wonderful feedback about their experiences. "I really enjoyed volunteering at Y.A.P.S. yesterday morning. I loved knowing that I was both helping out people with their organization and playing with needy animals. I am thinking of signing up to volunteer at this organization on a regular basis and getting m family involved."

Puppy Love is a great opportunity to help animals who really need the support. Interested in this opportunity? Sign up now!

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

Since the start of the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion, HandsOn Inland Empire has received an overwhelming response. Due to the popularity of the promotion, HandsOn Inland Empire's projects have filled up even faster than usual. We appreciate your patience as we try to meet the demand and expand the number of volunteer opportunities available.

In order to qualify for free admission to a Disney Park through "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion, volunteers must:

Visit www.disneyparks.com/celebrate. Volunteers will not be eligible for a free ticket if they do not go through Disney Park's website. All of HandsOn Inland Empire's managed projects will be eligible volunteer opportunities.
Enter the zip code and search for a qualifying volunteer opportunity. Opportunities will either be listed as:

Expressed opportunity (volunteers express interest and non-profit agency will return their email) OR
Date and time specific opportunity (it will list how many volunteers are still needed for a particular date and time).

Complete the registration process. Disney will send you an email with the details of your volunteer opportunity and any other actions that may be required in order to complete the registration process (for express interest opportunities only).

For more information visit the FAQ or contact Denise School at (909) 980-2857 ext. 223.

Season of Service