 |
|
|
Columbus School student thank you card
Corporate Partners Support
Sandy Survivors
Among the significant supporters of United Way's efforts to address Sandy survivor needs are the following:
IBM provided desk tops and laptops to enable case workers to help survivors with financial assistance above and beyond what FEMA could provide. In addition, the equipment enabled the United Way to establish free tax preparation sites in Woodbridge and Sayreville. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will be provided to lower and middle income survivors and others free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers.
E.I. DuPont in Parlin, NJ jumped to the aid of Sandy survivors by conducting food and clothing drives as well as pledging $50,000 for long-term recovery in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex Counties.
Johnson & Johnson also pledged $50,000 for support in Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex and Hudson Counties. Both these grants will be allocated to these counties for long-term recovery.
Employees at Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc in Piscataway were motivated to provide urgently needed items to families who had losses because of Sandy. Food, clothes and personal care items were provided for delivery to effected communities including students in Carteret.
Employees at Ernst & Young in Iselin provided clothes and school supplies as well as some personal hygiene items for students at the Columbus School in Carteret.
Colgate Palmolive delivered over 40 cases of personal care products that was delivered to the Sayreville disaster relief center.
Employees and customers at Sherwin Williams Paint stores donated food, toys and clothes to benefit Sandy victims.
Thanks go to all these and the many others who took the time and trouble to help people they don't know in our community.
|
|
|
|
United Way Offers Free
Tax Preparation Assistance
United Way of Central Jersey is making free tax preparation assistance available starting February 1, 2013.
"This service is aimed at low and moderate income tax payers," said Gloria Aftanski, President of United Way of Central Jersey. "Last year, over $300,000 was returned to residents of the community in the form of tax credits and refunds."
The IRS has selected United Way to direct a coalition of community partners in order to increase the reach of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program.
See eligibility, income limits and credit amounts for Earned Income Tax Credit below.
Number of Married Single
Children Income Limit Income Limit Credit
3 or more $50,270 $45,060 $5,891
2 $47,162 $41,952 $5,236
1 $42,130 $36,920 $3,169
None $19,190 $13,980 $475
Source: IRS.gov |
Taxpayers can call now to make an appointment for help at the following 11 locations. Employers should call to arrange assistance onsite. Call Patricia Desiderio 732 247-3727 |
|
 Robert Cavella works at United Way and serves as Donations Manager for the Hurricane Sandy Long-term Recovery Group
Hurricane Sandy Update
UWCJ is working to coordinate efforts in order to increase efficiency, effectiveness and reduce risk of duplication. Based on experience with other disasters around the country, United Way has demonstrated its ability to leverage long-standing relationships with corporate, government and non-profit partners to achieve greater benefits.
Long-term Recovery Efforts will include case management that helps survivors access resources and help service providers maintain a database to cross-check recipient needs and benefits.
Recently, two families from Sayreville who had progressed through FEMA registration and case management were recipients of donated items from the state's warehouse in Robbinsville. Access to items is only through a rigorous intake process that is designed to verify needs. Family A (names withheld to respect privacy) was a married couple with an infant who had lost everything. They received tools to help rebuild as well as baby clothes and other items. Family B also accessed donated tools and painting materials to help remediate flood damage.
"One of the most challenging aspects, at least for me, is the coordination and movement of resources to those impacted by Sandy, e.g., tools to rebuild, cleaning supplies and even water," said Robert Cavella who is Donation Manager for the relief effort. Mr. Cavella is interning at the United Way and is finishing an MSW in the administrative track at Rutgers. "If you can help, please contact www.NDMN.Us/NJ."
The long-term needs resulting from Sandy will include food, housing, health and legal aid among other issues. United Way of Central Jersey is accountable for all funds disbursed from the United Way Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund designated for Hurricane Sandy Relief and will not deduct any administration fees.
|
 |  | |  | |
Community Conversations Report
UWCJ continues to engage diverse populations in "Community Conversations" to hear their views regarding community needs and the role of education to meet those needs. At recent meetings with Central Jersey residents, we heard the following:
Overall, how do you think things are going when it comes to education in your community?
People don't think education is good enough because everyone is using Kumon, etc. to give their kids an edge.
There are too many high school dropouts and too many parents who are not engaged with their child's education.
Class size is too big. Some students are frustrated because they are far beyond the curriculum.
Parent-Teacher conferences are hard to attend if you are a single parent because of work schedules. Jobs, time and money stand in the way of attending Parent-Teacher conferences.
Some kids receive a large amount of assistance with their schooling, activities, etc. and others in the middle are falling through the cracks of the system.
Schools that offer summer learning, after school programs, mentorship programs, parent engagement programs - when they use the resources of the entire community to create a rich learning environment - then the whole community benefits.
More Community Conversation Results in our next newsletter. |  | |  |
|
| |
 Thanks to the employees at UPS-SCS in Carteret, children in families receiving State aid received holiday gifts.
2012 GIFTS OF THE SEASON
Year round, United Way of Central Jersey assists families in need residing in Central Jersey. The Gifts of the Season Program is designed to provide food, clothing, toys and gifts to families for the end-of-year holidays. United Way invited Central Jersey residents to join area businesses and Middlesex County Labor Unions to help families in need.
Partner non-profit agencies throughout the community provided information about specific families who were receiving services and were in need of additional assistance. All families must have been current participants of state welfare programs to qualify. They received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) but also needed help with basic necessities in order to preserve their independence and stability.
Each family member was asked to complete a wish list with no gift costing in excess of $35. Donors were provided with the list only as a suggestion.
Outstanding results were achieved for the 2012 holiday season. 247 families received help, including over 750 children and over 1,000 individuals in total.
United Way of Central Jersey gratefully acknowledges the participation of companies in Central Jersey who supported the effort. The employees of these companies are due special thanks for their generosity and willingness to help those in the community whom they may not know but who are less fortunate.
Companies Participating
Banana Republic
Bristol Myers Squibb
CDM Smith, Inc.
CEVA Logistics
Dr. Pepper
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc.
E.I. DuPont
ecVision, Inc.
Essential Power
Federal Business Centers
Frenchtoast.com
Gannett Fleming
IBM
Johnson & Johnson
New Millennium Bank
Nissan North America
P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
Paychex
Revlon
RightAnswers, Inc.
Silverline
UPS-SCS
Target
The Gap
Zebra Pen
Thanks, also to the following organizations for their help in providing a more cheerful holiday for the families identified as needing assistance in Central Jersey.
Organizations Participating
MOMS Club of Piscataway/South Plainfield
Sheet Metal Workers, Local No. 27
Women's Initiative of Federal Business Centers
The following joined the effort, and, because they did, additional families were able to receive Gifts of the Season. Thank you!
Individuals Participating
Aquino Family
Sharon Liberta
Pennella Family
Ianniello Family
William Mohr
Monika Patel
Watson Family
Zyla Family
The following non-profit community partners identified gift recipients and helped to distribute the gifts to each family. Without their help, none of this could have been possible. Thank you.
Agencies Participating
Acelero
Anshe Emeth
Blood of Jesus Christ Church
Catholic Charities
Coordinated Family Care
Deliverance Prayer Revival Church
Elijah's Promise
Family of Christ Church
Family Support Organization
Grandparents Coalition
Healthy Families
Home Based Visitors
Kiddie Keep Well Camp
Lord Stirling School
New Brunswick Middle School
Nurse Family Partnership
Nurturing Tree
Parent Child Home Program
Perth Amboy Housing Authority
PRAB
Roosevelt School
Tiny Tots Spot
Women Aware
|
|
|
Volunteers in Action
Over 1,000 hours in 2012
Volunteers working with UWCJ accounted for over 1,000 hours of community service in 2012. Activities included reading to children, socialization with NJ Veterans, food preparation at the soup kitchen, and assistance with children having developmental disabilities.
United Way celebrates volunteers who support their community each year at the annual Hometown Heroes celebration. In 2012, United Way recognized thirty Heroes who make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Discussions are still underway regarding the 2013 Hometown Heroes event. If you are interested in joining the planning committee, please contact Sabrina Norrie: snorrie@uwcj.org for more information. Nomination forms for 2013 will soon be made available. | |
|
Building Relationships to Better Serve Immigrants | |
 | |
PCHP Expands With AmeriCorps Home Visitors
UWCJ's Parent Child Home Program can add up to twenty more children now that three more home visitors have joined.
This early childhood literacy program is designed to enhance brain development through interactive reading and play.
Specially trained Home Visitors model behavior for parents in low-income, at-risk households, and provide selected books and toys that act as stimuli for verbal interaction.
The AmeriCorps Home Visitors, besides benefiting the community, receive training and experience in social services and early childhood education. There is a small monthly stipend, and each AmeriCorps member qualifies for an education award upon completion of their service.
The United Way of Central Jersey received an operating support grant from AmeriCorps NJ, a division of the Department of State.
If you would like to support this early childhood literacy effort, please contact Gloria Aftanski at gaftanski@uwcj.org. | |
60 Apply For Citizenship
With the help of UWCJ, the Eagleton Institute of Politics held a "Citizenship Workshop" as part of the Eagleton Program on Immigration and Democracy.
The project was created to bring citizenship application assistance to New Jersey's 400,000+ Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs).
Free individual consultations with experienced immigration attorneys, language-appropriate application assistance, photos, document certification and much more were available.
Volunteers are needed to help applicants at the next Citizenship Rutgers event on March 10 at the Rutgers Student Center 126 College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Please contact Jag Vasudev at 732 247-3727 or jvasudev@uwcj.org. | |
Community Investment Information Sessions
UWCJ offered three continuing education programs for Community Investment volunteers:
In December, volunteers were offered an introduction to the assistance available from the Middlesex County Board of Social Services presented by Susan Murray, Deputy Director. In addition, Laura Marx, Executive Director, NJ211, presented a review of call volume and requests for assistance within Middlesex County and Franklin Township.
The January session concerned child care options with an introduction to Middlesex County's Unified Child Care Resource and Referral Process presented by Mary Jane DiPaolo, Director. Romaine Williams, Catholic Charities, Quality Initiative Program presented "Accreditation Options for Center Based Child Care."
Almost half of the non-profit child care centers in Middlesex County are accredited either by the NAEYC or an alternative such as NAC. Many non-profit centers are housed in older buildings (such as churches) that do not meet NAEYC standards but can still deliver quality instruction. Barriers to accreditation also include the cost, especially in terms of time, required to complete applications.
UWCJ continues to fund efforts to increase the number of accredited child care providers. The intent is for children's care to be delivered by trained staff with appropriate equipment in a happy environment characterized by positive interaction.
Another Community Investment Information Session is planned for February concerning Homeless Issues. Eileen O'Donnell, Executive Director, Coming Home of Middlesex County will discuss Middlesex County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness
and Middlesex County Homeless Hotline Services.
For more information, please contact Gloria Aftanski, President, Gaftanski@uwcj.org | |
UWCJ is 2012's Largest Donor to MCFOODS
United Way donated the highest amount to the County Food Bank in 2012. Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services received the equivalent of 253 bins or 12,650 pounds of food and product donations from UWCJ. Hess Corporation was second with 12,000 pounds followed by RAH with 8,000 pounds.
UWCJ gathers food donations from partners such as UPS-SCS, Keefe Supply, Fedex Smartpost, ec Vision and Paychex as well as numerous individual contributors. Gloria Aftanski, President, said, "One good reason to give to MCFOODS is that all of the non-profit food pantries can withdraw from the county food bank. That helps to ensure the broadest possible distribution of food to where it's needed."
| |
|
|
|
