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IT'S ALL ABOUT INCOME
Investing resources is paying off
| Since 2004, United Way has worked closely with local volunteer experts to identify where our donors' contributions can best impact San Diegans' economic circumstances for the long-term. A competitive funding process determines which local partners can implement the most effective approach and report real results. An investment of $3.4 million has gone to support financial stability programs, serving more than 150,000 San Diegans.
Our goal? To correct and prevent financial instability among youth, low-income adults and struggling families -- those who are working hard but falling short. Since beginning our efforts, our partners have increased the financial knowledge of tens of thousands of San Diegans and, more importantly, changed their behavior when it comes to money.
Here's how we're doing it:
- Increasing knowledge in core areas such as budgeting, credit, debt and taxes. Since we began, nearly 5000 adults have benefitted.
- Breaking the cycle by teaching the next generation the same skills. To date, 36,381 youth are now trained in finance basics.
- Provide job skills training to improve youth and adults' ability to earn a good income. Read about our Bright Futures Initiative.
- Increased awareness of and access to Income supports such as CalFresh, CalWorks, MediCal and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Since 2004, 108,979 tax returns were filed.
Read more >>
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UWSD AWARDED EITC GRANTS
Federal, Walmart, and Bank of America grants to UWSD outreach to those with disabilities |
UWSD received its first-ever grant from the federal government to make benefits screening and free tax prep services more accessible to San Diegans with disabilities. A grant of $12,500 will help pay for a program where a tax preparer will visit people with disabilities who can't travel to one of the local VITA (Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance) sites.
Walmart, a long-time EITC supporter, increased its grant to UWSD to $35,000 to support our free tax prep and benefits screening services around the county. Bank of America, also a strong supporter, increased its grant to UWSD to $15,000. Since becoming a leader in the EITC coalition, United Way has helped bring back more than $30 million in EITC dollars to our local economy.
"Many individuals in the disability community are working but are unaware of the potential tax credits they could be receiving," said Senior Community Impact Manager Shaina Gross. "We are partnering with staff at non-profits so that they are educated, and can then educate their clients."
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WE'RE LISTENING, SAN DIEGO!
Money Talk: A critical conversation
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For the past 18 months, our Community Impact and Resource Development teams have been holding "community conversations" with hundreds of people across the county on the topics of Education and Income. We have been listening to parents, youth, business leaders and experts share their aspirations and opinions and what's required to take action.
Financial stability has been uppermost in the minds of San Diegans for much of the past three years. We wanted to know people's vision for the future and how they thought we could get there. So far we've heard that... - Many San Diegans don't use available resources.
- Training and education impacts employment.
- Local job prospects must improve.
In the coming months you'll hear more from your neighbors about San Diego's issues on income. |
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| "I have so many friends who don't know
how to balance their checkbook;
they just look at the balance on their deposit slip. "
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IMPROVING SKILLS IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR
United Way joins forces with San Diego LISC
| Based on feedback from our grantees on staff training needs, United Way joined with San Diego Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to fund job development training for non-profit professionals. Manpower Staffing provided the eight-week training, which will increase this competency within our sector. Agency staff will be better prepared to help clients secure jobs at the end of job skills courses.
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ACCESS TO ASSETS
Disability population gets service they need
| United Way and the National Disability Initiative co-sponsored a free half-day workshop on benefits screening for people with disabilities. Individuals representing over 20 different agencies participated, learning how to help increase awareness and access for disabled clients.
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UPS LAUNCHES EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERISM INITIATIVE
2,000 area UPSers accept the education volunteer challenge |
Recently, UPS kicked off a challenge to mobilize 2,000 of its employees and their families as volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. After the celebration at the San Marcos facility, many UPS employees-including those from the Kearny Mesa and Chula Vista locations-volunteered at elementary schools by sprucing up play areas and reading to students.
"UPS and United Way share a common purpose to build stronger communities," said George Willis, President, UPS South California District. "We keep thinking of how many children in our community can be affected by UPSers!"
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TELL US YOUR STORY...
| Have you taken our Education volunteer challenge? Have you had an amazing experience witnessing the impact you've made on a young person? Email Aimee Zeitz to share your story and help motivate others! You could be featured in future news stories or on our website. THANK YOU for supporting San Diego youth.
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SMALL BITES
| Solar Turbines Employees
Break the Bank
At a campaign event this fall, Solar employees 'broke the bank' by depleting their on-site ATM during their annual auction to benefit United Way. Special gift baskets were so popular, the cash machine at their Kearny Mesa location ran out of cash. Proceeds from the event totaled $23,030.
San Diegans are Taking the Volunteer Challenge
We're nearing 1,700 volunteers who have signed up as readers, tutors or mentors since our volunteer challenge launched in June. We continue to add community partners who need your support. In other news, our online matching is now live! Register and match instantly or just browse volunteer options. Feel like browsing now? Click here.
Hometown HuddleSan Diego Chargers share insights and fitness tips with City Heights youth. Middle school and high school students from four local schools rub elbows and share fist bumps with NFL athletes. See photos...
Way to go!
Recently, the San Diego United Way campaign for Eli Lilly was recognized by Indianapolis HQ as the most improved in the country. How did they do it? They made their campaign about commitment to the San Diego community, encouraging community volunteers to get engaged. In turn, they were inspired to give back and their campaign went up 13%!
Want to start your own workplace campaign? Read more>>
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LIVE UNITED SPOTLIGHT
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Income Vision Council
 | Kristy Gregg
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Chaired by Kristy Gregg of US Bank, the volunteers on our Income Vision Council have provided valuable guidance and perspective as we have developed strategies to improve the financial stability of San Diegans. Since 2006 they have helped to set goals, develop measures of success and evaluate the results of our investment. Whether in the board room, or out at a community based organization, their passion for improving lives in the community is inspiring.
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EVENTS CALENDAR
 | EITC tax prep training
Want to help out?
8th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium
January 6-7, 2012
Register here
Point-in-Time Homeless Count
January 27-February1
Click here to learn more
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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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