Family Volunteer Day: Making a Child's Happiness Last His Whole Life

We're getting ready for our Family Volunteer Day this Saturday, November 21. We'll be helping the St. John's Neighborhood and J.J. Pickle Elementary with some beautification projects, entertain the kiddos with Mr. Steve's Silly Sing-a-long Extravaganza, kids arts and crafts and learn how the St. John's community is creating change. It's not too late to volunteer, you can still bring your kids and join us!

Family Volunteer Day
Saturday, November 21
9:00am - 1:00pm
St. John's Neighborhood Center
7500 Blessing Avenue
Austin, TX 78752

To inspire you, we had one of our Hispanic Engagement Advisory Board members & GivingCity editor, Monica Williams write up a short piece on her experience with family volunteering. Read it here or you can also read it en Español on Ahora Si!


Making a Child's Happiness Last His Whole Life
Monica Maldonado Williams
Editor, GivingCity Austin

My five-year-old son, Samuel, loves to run. He's been challenging me to races since he was able to walk, and some of his first words were "hurry" and "turbo."

So when he heard about Marathon Kids two years ago, the annual health and fitness program for school-aged children in Austin, he asked me to sign him up immediately. But Sam wasn't in Kindergarten yet. He would have to wait until next year to participate.

We were not deterred. I found out that the "final mile" event would be held at Burger Stadium near our house. So I asked Sam if he wanted to be a volunteer with me.

"Does that mean I get to run?"

"No, Sam. It means we help the other kids have fun. But we'll probably have fun, too, and that way we can check it out before you run it next year."

"Okay, Mommy. Let's do it!"

And we did have fun, handing out medals and high-fives to the other kids. I could tell Sam soaked up all their energy, and we both felt great on the way home. The thing is I don't think Sam realized he was volunteering at all. I think he just felt … happy.

We try to make helping others a part of our daily activities. I teach Sunday school at our church, and Sam helps me set up the tables and materials. He also gathers some of his toys and clothes to give away to Goodwill about every other month. We've "adopted" a girl named Elina in Malawi; Sam picked her because she was his same age. And we often buy extra tacos or hamburgers to hand out to a homeless person at a stoplight. This Fall, we’re looking forward to helping out at United Way’s Family Volunteer Day on November 21st.

I'm not saying Sam's not spoiled. He throws a fit in Walgreen's when he doesn't get a toy just like every other kid - it's a child's natural instinct to want more. But slowly, and through everyday acts of kindness, I hope he also develops a giving instinct, one that helps him appreciate more of what he has, and ultimately, helps make him happy his whole life.

To volunteer as a family for United Way’s Family Volunteer Day on November 21st, go to www.handsoncentraltexas.org or call 2-1-1.

1 Hour for Kids Video!

We are very excited to premiere an new short video about 1 Hour for Kids with you:




Please pass this along to friends and family that you believe might be interested in mentoring or tutoring a middle school student here in Central Texas. Thank you for being an advocate for youth!

United Way's 1 Hour for Kids & State Campaign on Giving City Magazine

Do you know about GivingCity Magazine: Austin's only volunteerism & philanthropy magazine? The magazine was started by Monica Williams and Torquil Dewar from October Custom Publishing. In their words, "GivingCity Austin offers content you won’t find anywhere else, in a modern format that’s easy to use. Inside you’ll find information that will help you ...

Find your cause
Step up your community service
Become a community leader
Collaborate effort
Maximize impact"

And they do an amazing job! In this quarter's issue, they cover over 20 nonprofits, causes and people including our 1 Hour For Kids initiative which helps connect more mentors and tutors to kids that need them and our work with the State Campaign.

The magazine is free and download-able on their website. So if you want to learn more about doing good and the nonprofit sector, go download it now!

Adelante,
Mando

Presidential Forum on Service: Service is integral to achieving our national priorities

Last week I attended the Presidential Forum on Service in College Station, TX. I was very excited to attend this event because not only was our President, Barack Obama was scheduled to speak but Service was the main theme of the event. It brought together both sides of the isle to celebrate former President George H.W. Bush and the 20 year anniversary of the thousand Points of Light initiative. Our national partner, Points of Light Institute and Hands On Network hosted the event that included people working in the service field, nonprofits, businesses and regular people who volunteer. Both Presidents discussed the value of service & volunteerism at the national level to the local level. President Obama emphasized how real change can happen by citizens doing their part in their communities and that government can not do it alone. I believe that to be true; change happens at the local level with people, in neighborhoods, connecting and making change happen. As the director of Community Engagement at United Way Capital Area and Hands On Central Texas I see first hand – people are changing communities, they are volunteering, giving back, taking on leadership roles and making sure their communities are connected. Taking this conversation to the national level is a great step for communities because “service and volunteering is not just a nice thing to do, but a necessity to achieving our national priorities” and tacking our communities most pressing issues.

While I was there I was able to take some video with my handy dandy pocket cam. Check out these short videos from President Obama’s speech. I hope my trembling hands don’t make you dizzy! ;)

Presidential Forum on Service: President Obama honors former President George H.W. Bush

Presidential Forum on Service - Obama - Service is integral to achieving our national priorities

I leave you with these questions: Will you be the change? How will you make change happen?

Want to get started? Let Hands On and United Way Capital Area help you. Go to www.handsoncentraltexas.org to volunteer, take Volunteer Project Leader course and get involved!

Adelante,

Mando

*Photo Credit: Points of Light Institute

From Birth, Engage Your Child With Talk

A recent article in the NY Times reinforces much of the educational information provided by United Way's Success By 6 and Born Learning initiatives. Lowe's recently sponsored and installed the first Born Learning Trail in Central Texas--and there will be many more to come!

Not only does the trail beautify Bartholomew Park, it offers parents many opportunities to engage their young children in communication to help them develop properly.

From the NY Times article:

Communication begins as soon as a baby is born. The way you touch, hold, look at and talk to babies help them learn your language, and the different ways babies cry help you learn their language — “I’m wet,” “I’m hungry,” “I’m tired,” “I hurt,” “I’m overwhelmed” and so forth.

“Talk to your baby whenever you have the chance,” the American Medical Association advises parents. “Even though he doesn’t understand what you’re saying, your calm, reassuring voice is what he needs to feel safe. Always respond to your newborn’s cries — he cannot be spoiled with too much attention.”

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association urges parents to reinforce communication efforts by looking at the baby and imitating vocalizations, laughter and facial expressions.

Stay tuned for more information about Born Learning activities and trails that will be appearing in Central Texas!

It all goes back to middle school

Today's Statesman editorial says it all: "If you want to fix high school, start with middle school."

Middle school, says University of Texas researcher Ed Fuller, is the gatekeeper for student success in high school and college. Students who do poorly in middle school — particularly on the eighth-grade math portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills — are the ones most likely to fail ninth grade and eventually drop out. And low performers who do graduate from high school are less likely to be prepared for college work. So it all goes back to middle school. The Legislature and school superintendents should pay attention to this.

Fortunately for Central Texas, 1 Hour For Kids and its partners are paying attention to this!

Day of Caring -- Pictures and Thank You!

On Friday, September 11, 2009 United Way’s Day of Caring was truly one of the most memorable United Way Days of Caring ever in the history of Central Texas.


We kicked-off not only United Way’s Day of Caring event, but also the 2009 community-wide giving campaign.


We started the day with a volunteer breakfast, followed by a tribute to those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001; turning remembrance of a day of tragedy into a day of hope and caring.


The presentation of colors by the Civil Air Patrol Pegasus Squadron Elite Color Guard and the National Anthem sung by Tanya Winch, a local artist who brought tears to the eyes of many of the volunteers.

Guest speakers spoke about the importance of volunteering in Central Texas and rallied hundreds of volunteers who gathered at the kick-off breakfast event.

Will Matthews, representing the Athletes for Hope Organization, shared his passion for philanthropy and talked about the importance of improving lives and strengthening communities through volunteer service.

Throughout the day more than 1,000 volunteers worked at over 50- project sites throughout Central Texas, helping local nonprofits. Volunteers upgraded childcare facilities, trained for disaster response, beautified community gardens, improved parks and much more.



The estimated dollar value of the volunteer time on this single day was $111,172!


See more pictures from the event here:


Share your United Way Day of Caring volunteer experience by posting your pictures and comments!

Thank you,

Diana A. Santos
Corporate and Volunteer Relations Director

Update! Professional athletes to speak at our Day of Caring!

Athletes for Hope are participating in our Day of Caring, as part of President Obama's 9/11 Day of Service. Professional athletes Will Matthews and Ahmad Brooks will be our “Special Guest Speakers” at United Way’s Kick-off Event, and they will volunteer along with seven other professional athletes at Kealing Middle School.

There are projects still available! Click here to sign up.

Lowe’s sponsors the first Born Learning Trail in Central Texas!

Thank you Lowe’s for sponsoring and installing the first Born Learning Trail in Central Texas during Lowe’s annual Heroes volunteer program on August 28 & 29, 2009.


Because of your work you have added a “value add” to one of the larger neighborhoods in Austin, Texas, Windsor Park. Offering families a wonderful place to get active, and elevate awareness of early childhood education.


A special thanks to the City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Department and the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association for your cooperation and support.

As part of our Day of Caring activities, the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association will hold a dedication ceremony to celebrate the Born Learning Trail at Bartholomew Park on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

The Born Learning Trail is located at Bartholomew Park and features ten signs and stations along a path with activities that encourage everyday, teachable moments with young children.

Quote from Windsor Park Association Director:

The Learning Trail is AWESOME! I went to the park to check it out today (Sat) and there was a man with his toddler daughter playing in the area (hopping) and they didn't even live in the neighborhood. He was driving by and the colors caught his eye so he turned around and was playing with his little girl! Yeah!

You guys ROCK!

Want your corporate team to sponsor and construct a Born Learning Trail?

Contact: diana.santos@unitedwaycapitalarea.org

Diana Santos
Corporate and Volunteer Relations Director
United Way Capital Area

New Survey of Nonprofits with Greenlights

We recently partnered with our friends at Greenlights for NonProfit Success to conduct a survey of Central Texas nonprofits. The goals of the survey were to;

1. Have actual data on how the downturn is affecting nonprofits aside from anecdotes
2. Compare how our region's nonprofits are doing versus other parts of the country

We sent the survey to over 800 organizations, and 100 responded.

Not surprisingly, many nonprofits locally are having a tough time. Demand for their services is up, while more than 50% have experienced a drop in donations over the past year.

The crunch is affecting organizations in the critical health & human services, and children and youth-focused service areas the most.

Please click the links below for full survey results and data presentation.

• Taking the Pulse of the Central Texas Nonprofit Sector - a presentation on the 2009 survey.
  
  
• New Survey Shows Austin Area Nonprofits are Experiencing Significant Increase in Demand for Services and Fewer Resources - a brief on the 2009 survey.
  
  
• 2009 Nonprofit Pulse Survey - a comprehensive summary of the 2009 survey results.