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Volunteer Income Tax
Preparers Find Over
$1.3 Million
UWCJ worked with the IRS, area non-profits, corporations and residents to generate over $1,300,000 in tax refunds and credits for low-income tax payers. UWCJ staff and volunteers filed over 1,500 tax returns. This is money that went straight back into the Central Jersey community.
Here is one tax payer's story, "I have been unemployed for over a year, now, and I have taken care of my daughter who lives with me. I didn't have any tax withheld from my unemployment check because it's barely enough to get by. So, when I found out I owed income tax, I thought I had reached the end of the road. I thought my daughter would have to drop out and work full-time, not just part-time like she does already. But those folks at the United Way worked on my tax return. I can't thank them enough." |
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The James Monroe School in Edison Needs Our Help.
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Please call Pat Desiderio at United Way of Central Jersey, 732 247-3727, to donate School Supplies to be used by the students and teachers from James Monroe School.
United Way will designate all cash donations made for James Monroe to a school supplies fund to be used to restore continuing operations while at Middlesex County College.
Send your check made out to United Way of Central Jersey and indicate James Monroe on the check. Make sure to include your contact information, so we can thank you.
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Non-Profits Apply for UWCJ Funding
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Teams of volunteers reviewed submissions for program support during the first quarter. They met program representatives and heard presentations detailing the populations served and the outcomes achieved during the last year.
United Way's process for allocating investments includes ratings for such factors as the measurement approach, staff credentials, funding sources, cost of service and documentation of identified needs
Investments will be made in evidence-based programs with measurable outcomes that fall into one of the following three issue areas: Children Ready to Succeed, Youth on Track and Families Living Well.
"This year, I was able to observe the level of volunteer commitment from the view points of a committee member, committee leader, and Vice Chair of the Community Needs Committee. I could not be more impressed with the display of dedication from both volunteers and the agency representatives. It gives me such pride to be affiliated with UWCJ knowing that through our volunteers and agency applicants we are making measureable differences in the lives of families in this community. The passion really comes across." Natalia Armstrong - Volunteer
If you would like to get involved in the investment allocation process, please contact Gloria Aftanski at 732 247-3727.
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The new crawl space.
A Sandy Survivor's Story
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The surge was about five feet high three blocks from the Raritan River.
The water came up through the floor ruining the carpeting and soaking the walls and kitchen cabinets. The furnace and hot water heater had to go, and the water ruined the floor. None of the doors would close.
But this is a story about recovery.
"It makes you stronger. Nothing bothers me." So said the Sandy Survivor sitting in her immaculate home one sunny, cold day 18 months after the Hurricane changed her life.
"I knew I had to dry things out but the smell was strong before you even stepped into the house. It was toxic. The air and water smelled of kerosene. It was uninhabitable."
How would you feel?
The first three days were spent coping with damp mattresses with a generator providing power for the fans. All the walls and insulation had to be removed and new electrics installed, so contractors could get to work.
"I went to every meeting and even attended recovery groups to exchange information. I refused to give up."
They power washed the sub floor and put in a vapor barrier with the new slab. Contractors replaced the insulation and the tiling, and new cabinets hang in the kitchen.
"With every day, the burden becomes lighter."
One contractor said there was oil in the sub-flooring, and they wanted it removed and to remove the siding. It was a good thing that a damage assessor from the Middlesex County Long Term Recovery Group intervened to stop that project. It was unnecessary and would have cost plenty.
Advice from a Survivor: "It's OK to feel bad for a while but, you know, there are wonderful people to help you out. Pick up that phone and make the call. Go to the meeting. If you don't know the answer, then ask the question." Sounds like good advice whatever the situation. But we're hoping there won't be another one like Sandy.
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UWCJ Clients Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday!
Families participating in the Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) joined at the New Brunswick Library to celebrate the author's birthday by making Cat-in-the-Hat crafts and reading stories. "Our goal," said Sara Spatz Director of the Program, "was to help our clients build up libraries in their homes and to promote a culture of reading." AmeriCorps Members collected 333 donated books, and each child was able to take 10-15 books home.
PCHP Home Visitors work with parents by modeling behavior that helps to prepare their children for school. The strategies are designed to engage children in learning behavior. Research demonstrates that PCHP participants graduate at a 20% higher rate than a matched cell. For information, please contact Gloria Aftanski, President, 732 247-3727.
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 Volunteers Comment
on Citizenship Workshop
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"I could not help but feel gratified as I sat across from eager families from various parts of the globe - all with their own stories and shared enthusiasm about becoming U.S. citizens. It was satisfying to assist them and take part in this ultimate portion of their journey. As I looked around the room, it was heartening to see the community come together to collaborate on such an important cause. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can do for you." - Michael Younker
"I had a great time helping fill out the citizenship forms and met the nicest people. Please let me know should you need assistance with a similar event in the future or a healthcare related event. I may even be able to enlist some of my nursing students to volunteer at a healthcare related event so long as it's not too far from Monmouth County. Again, a pleasure. Hope to hear from you soon." Regards, Anonymous
These volunteers participated in a citizenship workshop, part of United Way's Immigration Initiative, that offered assistance to prepare citizenship applications. Over 75 applicants attended and 53 completed their applications.
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September 11th Survivors and
First Responders
With the September 11th Museum opening in May, UWCJ will be participating in an effort to identify unmet needs among First Responders and those who suffered loss resulting from the tragedy. There will be an orientation as well as transportation to the museum to facilitate what is likely for many to be a difficult experience. Those with mental health concerns or financial needs will have access to counseling services.
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| Somerset Patriots Tickets | |
Thanks to a generous donation from the Bridgewater based Somerset Patriots baseball organization, the United Way of Central Jersey has distributed over 5,200 free tickets to area non-profit organizations to enable their clientele to attend games throughout the season. For many individuals this represents the first time they will have had an opportunity to attend a professional baseball game.
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| New Board Members | | United Way of Central Jersey is pleased to announce that Giselle Mudge and Thomas McDonough have joined the Board of Trustees.
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