The focus for Montgomery County United Way Hispanic Outreach program has been the Deerwood Familia Project.  Maria Jordan, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, along with H.O.P.E. committee members have completed months of preparation and residential interviews to identify assets of this rural and  somewhat isolated neighborhood of 350 homes near Conroe.

Montgomery County United Way, along with the CISD Newcomers Center have worked with other non - profits in our community for years to assist Deerwood families to connect to available resources.  But It is through an Assets Based Community program that the Deerwood neighborhood can now develop their own long range plan of how to utilize available resources, including their own assets to improve the lives of their neighbors and families. Resource providers will be connected to the project by contracting a year of service to the community.

The Deerwood Familia Project will be addressing the following:

Safety and Security

Development of Community Property

Adult Education

Youth Leadership.

Thanks to for selecting the Deerwood community as their DISTRICT WIDE COMMUNITY PROJECT.  Volunteers from eight area Home Depot stores will be working alongside many teen and adult residents of Deerwood to beautify the community center property.

Donor Dollars - Breaking the Cycle

Demetria Swearingen has moved forward from a past filled with abuse, drug and alcohol usage and homelessness. With the help of a Montgomery County United Way funded program through Montgomery County Youth Services, Demetria broke the destructive cycle of her life.

Now as a mother of two children, including a fourteen year old daughter, she "has used her experience to be a good mom".  She says she is "vigilant in keeping her kids away from the lifestyle she led." 

According to Laurie Oliver, MCYS Shelter Director, Montgomery County United Way's funding of Fairway and Bridgeway homes "helps us fill the gaps and provides crucial resources needed for us to be there for these kids as they deal with crisis situations, struggle to find positive role models, and realize that they can move out of poverty and be "someone".

Look for stories like these about how your donor dollars are invested in programs that improve the lives of Montgomery County citizens.  www.hcnonline.com or printed each week in The Conroe Courier.

Three young mothers are continuing their education after high school and because of Montgomery County United Way's Women's Leadership Council, these women will have comfort knowing their children's daycare is being paid for by the "Helping You Help Them" scholarship program. Over $20,000 in daycare scholarships has been awarded.

Pictured (l to r):  Lynda Sasser, CISD Board of Trustees and WLC member, Lynda Matthews, CISD Professional Parent Education Program Specialist, Mayna Torres (mother of scholarship winner Analyssa), Analyssa Garcia with son Mark Allen Hugge, scholarship winner, Mitzy Barrera, scholarship winner, Julie Martineau, MCUW President and Peg Welbes, WLC Executive Committee member.  Not pictured:  scholarship winner Sarah Large who was also an award winner from WLC's 1st year scholarships. 

For more information regarding Women's Leadership Council, contact Rachel Harris at 936-760-4179, ext. 267 or email rachel@mcuw.org

Youth Yellow Pages

Looking for Advertisers

Montgomery County United Way, is once again, publishing its youth resource guide, Youth Yellow Pages.  The main difference this year, is an electronic format available on www.mcuw.org and on area school websites so youth in need of information can look up the answers with ease.

Printed versions will also be made available through area school counselor's offices and will be distributed to counselors, principals and teachers.

Eighth and Tenth graders  in all Montgomery County schools will receive pocket size cards to remind them of where to look for the resource.  Advertisers will get either a 1/2 or full page size ad (costing $500 or $1000) on both printed and online versions plus have their logo on the pocket size cards.

If you would like to advertise, please contact MCUW's Director of Initiatives Rachel Harris at 936-760-4179, ext. 267.

CB&I has donated $337,913 to Montgomery County United Way through a combination of employee pledges, corporate contribution and $65,000 in special events like a chili cook off.  Pictured above is (l to r):  Phillip Asherman, CB&I President, Cesar Canals of CB&I and Dale Gray, MCUW Director of Fund Development at this year's Pacesetter Kick off breakfast sponsored by CB&I.

Thanks also to the remainder of the 2010 Pacesetter companies who have completed their annual campaigns:

Memorial Hermann Hosptial - 73,982

Wiesner Auto - $11,873

Chevron Phillips - $236,183

The Woodlands Development Company (included the Woodlands Resort & Conference Center and the Clubs at Carlton Woods) - $60,596

Winstead - $5,000

Americas Styrenics - $40,413

Montgomery County Hospital District - $8,392

South County The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce - $4,000

and Montgomery County United Way - $16,005

A Big Thanks to our 2010 Pace Setter Chili Cook Off Sponsors

And to our 2010 Kick Off Sponsors

Advocate.

Call To Advococy

Save the Date! 

November 10, 2010

12:30 p.m.

Conroe Recreation Center

1203 Callahan Ave, Conroe

Montgomery County United Way's Success By 6 and Women's Leadership Council is hosting a "Lunch and Learn" program featuring United Way of Texas's Senior V.P. Jason Sabo.

Find out your role in Advocating for early childhood education in Texas.

R.S.V.P. by emailing rachel@mcuw.org or calling Rachel Harris, MCUW Director of Initatives at 936-760-4179,ext. 267.

Volunteer.

ExxonMobil Has Taken Volunteering to a Whole New Level 

With over 220 volunteers, ExxonMobil has completed numerous projects for a variety of local non-profit agencies through Montgomery County United Way's Days of Caring program.

Days of Caring connects volunteers, individuals or groups with the elderly, disabled, or low income citizens in need in Montgomery County.  MCUW's funded partners are also recipients.

To register for Days of Caring, visit www.mcuw.org, click on Days of Caring or Volunteer.

Call Jennifer Adams-Burkett at 281-292-4155, ext. 267.