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CREDITS + JOB SKILLS = MORE CASH
Helping San Diegans stay on track financially
| Thousands of local families and individuals gained $8.2 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) this past year, $900,000 more than the prior tax year. United Way has been a co-leader for several years along with the IRS and the County in the EITC coalition as part of our aim to help struggling San Diegans maximize their financial resources.
THRIVE San Diego - a partnership between United Way, the County, San Diego State University, CSU San Marcos, and Southwestern College to sign more people up for benefits - also screened 1,752 tax clients, determining that 1,099 (25%) were eligible for CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps).
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In addition to EITC credits and benefits, discount cards distributed throughout the county are helping to reduce expenses for those without prescription drug coverage. The cards are distributed through FamilyWize and saved San Diegans $294,000 in out-of-pocket expenses from June 2010 to June 2011. United Way's Angela Titus and Shaina Gross hold a check symbolizing the amount saved by local residents.
Increasing the job skills of San Diegans is a recent focus of our work to empower residents to earn and keep enough money. Through the San Diego Futures Foundation, United Way is funding 200 hours of IT training, internship and certification to improve the earning potential of 40 unemployed or under-employed individuals. Job skills are also being provided as part of our Bright Futures initiative and through a Medical Assistants program in which we fund the cost of transportation, child care, textbooks and other critical elements that enable participants to enroll.
Learn more about about Income-related work here
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| "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
Anne Frank
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TAKE THE VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE!
Hall of Famer Bill Walton Jumps In |
On June 21, United Way's Day of Action, we launched a three-year volunteer challenge to mobilize 10,000 San Diegans as readers, tutors and mentors to support local children. NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton was the first to accept the challenge by reading to a group of 2nd and 3rd graders at the Monarch School. See video of the event.
Monarch School CEO Ronne Froman and Principal Joel Garcia hosted the group of United Way volunteers who also conducted career coaching sessions with teens. UC San Diego, the first organization to take the pledge, will be encouraging staff, faculty and students to sign up as part of the Chancellor's Volunteer 50 community service initiative. Find out more or take the pledge here
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PROJECT 25 SAVES MONEY & LIVES
Bank of America Helps Bring them Home
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Recently, United Way received a $100,000 corporate contribution from Bank of America for our Home Again Frequent User Initiative, known as Project 25. The three-year project is an unprecedented alliance between United Way, the city, the county, the San Diego Housing Commission and St. Vincent de Paul to identify and move the most vulnerable, costly homeless individuals off the streets, saving lives and taxpayer dollars.
The company's investment will be used to increase the number of people helped by the program. "Bank of America's generosity and commitment to our community has been invaluable to our efforts to end chronic homelessness," said United Way's Brian Maienschein, Commissioner of the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Pictured above is Bank of America's Judy Forrester, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Corporate Affairs, who presented a check to United Way President & CEO, Doug Sawyer at a recent board meeting.
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Please remember United Way in your will or estate plans, and let us know when you do. Thank you for your support.
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Stay Connected and
Get Live United Gear
| OPT IN for the chance to win a limited edition black LIVE UNITED T-shirt when you text the word JOIN to UNITED (864833). By joining our mobile list, you receive updates on events, volunteer opportunities and special announcements.
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LIVE UNITED SPOTLIGHT
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BIG ART FOR
BIG HEARTS: Polinsky Kids Inspire Bridgepoint Employees
Bridgepoint Education employees recently toured the Polinsky Children's Center and were so inspired by the experience that they decided to get hands-on in giving back. The group showed their Live United spirit by creating an oversized piece of art, The 8 x 4 foot collage displays inspirational imagery with messages of love, hope, and resilience, designed to inspire all who step into the
Polinsky Center.
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LABOR OF LOVE
Once again the Department of Labor Participation has provided an important service to our community. As logistics coordinator for the annual National Association of Letter Carriers' Food Drive, the department organized the 17 agencies, two food banks, four trucking companies and 650 volunteers who participated. These efforts contributed to assisting more than 1,000 San Diegans, totaling over $167,000 in food, electric and rental assistance.
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EVENTS CALENDAR
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Susan Taylor
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LIVE UNITED COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Find out how you can help kids succeed
Mark your calendars for our kickoff to the campaign season! Hear from youth working to make their dreams a reality and find out how you can support them through United Way.
We will also be presenting the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award as well as the Naish Award for United Way Volunteer of the Year.
Tuesday, September 20
5:30-7:00 p.m.
NTC Promenade, Corky McMillin Companies Event Center
2875 Dewey Road
San Diego, CA 92106
Hosted by Susan Taylor, NBC San Diego News Anchor
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BE AN ADVOCATE
Forward this eNewsletter!
| You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this eNewsletter to seven people.
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