United Way of Mifflin-Juniata e-newsletter

	United Way of Mifflin-Juniata
	GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER.	ENEWS FROM THE UNITED WAY OF MIFFLIN-JUNIATA

	Thursday, January 22, 2009
	Thursday, January 22, 2009

Greetings!

Your youngest child needs quality care while you're at work. Your best friend's spouse has become increasingly abusive, and you just can't ignore it any longer. You just redecorated your living room and you'd like to donate your old set to someone who could benefit from its use. Who can help connect you to the resources you need to address all those issues? The United Way of Mifflin-Juniata. The United Way of Mifflin-Juniata provides support in the community through 22 different programs and 4 initiatives and serves thousands of people that are our neighbors and friends.

But sluggish fund raising is putting United Way and our partner agencies in jeopardy.

This year's goal is $596,000 and right now the organization is showing a shortfall of $150,000. "We make an impact by helping one person at a time, we will raise the money needed - one dollar at time," said Marie Mulvihill, Executive Director.

The reality is many people who have lost their jobs are coming to United Way and our partner agencies in record numbers for assistance. These are new people, not chronic users of the system. Government funding has been cut and agencies have been warned to brace for more cuts. Contributions to United Way are unique in that the non-profit community can make a difference that cannot be filled by the private or government sector.

"I think one of the strengths and motivating factors to give to United Way is it really benefits all members of the community if we have a strong human service network. Any individual might not think they need any of the services that the programs we support provide. You never know when, God forbid, your house burns down and you'll need the help of the Red Cross," said Mulvihill.

"We understand better than anyone that times are tough...but tough times never last - what matters is how we react to those times," said Mulvihill. "We are asking people in the community to make a contribution or an additional contribution to help us meet the extraordinary needs we are facing." Donations will be accepted for the 2009 campaign until March.

Donations can be made to the United Way of Mifflin-Juniata, 13 East Third Street, Lewistown, PA, 17044. Phone: (717) 248-9636 or online at www.mjunitedway.org



Looking for more information? Check out our newly updated website! www.mjunitedway.org

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The United Way of Mifflin-Juniata has partnered with the Penn State Cooperative Extension Branches of Mifflin and Juniata counties to bring VITA sites to the area. VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - sites complete tax returns for free for low-income families. Trained volunteers help people find the tax credits that will help the most, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and The Credit for Child and Dependant Care Expenses. For example, with the EITC, a single mom earning less than $38,646, with at least 2 children, can receive up to $4,824. And if she has never claimed the EITC before, she is eligible to claim the past 3 years, as well - that is a total of $19,296 in the first year!

Starting in February, VITA will be available in Lewistown and Mifflintown, during the day and evenings, both weekdays and weekends. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from this free service, call the United Way office to set up your free appointment: 248-9636

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a remarkable man who dedicated his life to his dream - a dream where our nation stood on equality, justice, and freedom. Dr. King was a strong supporter of civic duty and community service, believing that each and every individual person has the ability to make this a better country, a better world. In 1994, Congress designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as the only federal holiday observed as a national Day of Service. With President Obama's Call to Service, 2009 is expected to have the biggest turn out rate of volunteers to date.

To honor his dream and celebrate his life, the United Way sponsored a reading day with several local child care centers. Organized by the United Way's AmeriCorps VISTA, Holly McCready, Key Club volunteers from Indian Valley High School and East Juniata High School visited the Panda Preschool in Burnham, St. John's Christian Day Care in Belleville, Children of the Ark in Lewistown, and Rainbow Connection in Thomspontown. Tammy and Bryn Ferguson, mother and daughter from Lewistown, volunteered to help by visiting Lewistown Elementary. The volunteers read the book Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier, which talks about Dr. King's life and vision, suitable for the preschool age. After the story, the children enjoyed a coloring session with a picture of Dr. King. The books were given to the child care centers as a gift from the United Way.

Thanks to Tammy and Bryn, and all of the Key Club volunteers: Jill Shawver, Tyler Hess, Beverly Thomas, Brandi Harmon, Alyssa Brennan, Anthony Simonetti, Cassie Sheaffer, Sam Dressler, and Harley Straub for helping us make this a successful Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

What's happening at Success By 6?

It is time to get ready for Kindergarten Registration and for families to begin the process of transitioning their child from preschool to kindergarten. At Success By 6 (SB6), we provide the following resources to help families with the transition process:

Yellow Folders: These folders are for families who have children entering kindergarten this fall (Sept. 09). The folders contain information and resources to support them through the kindergarten registration process. There are sample Emergency Contact forms, a list of needed forms and a book to be shared with the child. The folders can be picked up at your child's preschool or day care and at your local library.

"Getting Acquainted" Station at Kindergarten registration is done in collaboration with other community agencies. We provide families with transition information, school readiness activities and take their picture for the school while they are registering for kindergarten.

New to SB6 is our Infant/Toddler Group. We are convening the agencies and programs that serve families with Infant and Toddler children in Mifflin and Juniata County. The purpose of the group is to network, discuss professional development opportunities and address gaps and challenges for this age group.

For more information about Success By 6, contact Cristy Yoders at 436-0212 or cyoders@mjunitedway.org.