United Way Capital Area Blog

United Way Capital Area Partners with Businesses to Raise $16.5 Million

2011-08-19T14:49:00.000-05:00

Each year, United Way Capital Area (UWCA), raises money to address the root causes of poverty in Central Texas. This year, UWCA has set an ambitious annual campaign goal of $16.5 million.

Recognizing their campaign goals this year, and every year in the past, can only be met through the support of the many businesses that participate in the Workplace Giving Campaign, UWCA kicked off its season by thanking the employees of more than 300 Austin area companies for their loyal and continued support of the community.

“We are so grateful for all of our community support and want to celebrate the successes of our donors and volunteers,” said UWCA President Debbie Bresette. “The companies that participate in our campaign are the ones who raise the money needed to fund the programs that have had a profound impact on the lives of people in our community.”

UWCA hosted the kickoff event in the parking lots of five Central Austin H-E-B stores, whose own workplace campaign exceeded $1 million last year. The employees who stopped by one of the five locations, all near companies that participate in the Workplace Giving Campaign, were provided with breakfast items and beverages on their way to work as a token of gratitude.

“It’s important that as a company we contribute to our community, but it’s also important to the people who work at Texas Gas Service that they are able to be actively engaged in affecting change in the communities that they live and work in, it’s a powerful thing to give back,” said Paul Wilson, Regional Vice President for Texas Gas Service, one company participating in the Workplace Giving Campaign.

In addition, companies across Central Texas participating in UWCA workplace giving campaigns, include Samsung, Wells Fargo, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Austin American-Statesman and Flextronics.

The $16.5 million raised this year would fund UWCA programs, services and grants made to 49 local partner agencies with programs in the areas of education, income and health, including:

· Success By 6 program services including Born Learning, early literacy programs and early childhood education training for parents and teachers.

· The 1 Hour for Kids mentoring program, improving out-of-school time programs and increasing awareness of opportunities for higher education are all part of the Middle School Matters initiative.

· Bank on Central Texas, a program that connects people to low and no-cost financial products; job training and financial education programs are just some of the Income focus area initiatives.

· Health focus area services include helping low-income seniors live independently, improving access to health and dental care and health education programs and providing mental health services to children and youth.

The co-chairs of this year’s Workplace Giving Campaign are Ben Bentzin, a UT lecturer at the McCombs School and former Dell executive and efjf Thomas, Senior Vice President and General Manager, H-E-B Central Texas Region.

Celebrating Austin mentors

2011-01-27T09:38:00.000-06:00

January is National Mentoring Month and United Way Capital Area wants to celebrate our 1 Hour for Kids local mentors.

Meet David Robb, a correspondent at the Austin American Statesman, who has mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters since November 2009.

Here's what Big Brothers Big Sisters is saying about him:

"David has developed a good bond with his Little (Angel) through their mutual interest in sports. Most days, you can find them at the park playing basketball or football. Over the last few months, Angel has been feeling more comfortable and confident around his Big brother and likes to joke around and talk about things going on in his life. David not only encourages Angel to do well in school, he is a good role model on how important education is, as he is taking classes to become a teacher. He also takes him to UT sporting events, a great way to introduce Angel to an aspect of college. David goes above the 1 hour a week, often spending 2 to 3 hours on outings developing a strong foundation that is a positive influence on Angel’s life."

Make a difference in your community by becoming a 1 Hour for Kids mentor today!

MLK Day of Service provides more than 7,500 volunteer hours to the community

2011-01-25T16:43:00.001-06:00

The rainy forecast didn't stop approximately 700 volunteers from participating in the UWCA MLK Day of Service on Saturday, January 15. The volunteers, of which more than half were middle and high school students, participated in more than 20 projects across Austin and the surrounding area.

"I think it's really exciting to be with a whole bunch of people who are just dedicated toward one goal. Everyone woke up early and are here to give back and celebrate a wonderful day," said Lacey Allen, who works with College Forward through AmeriCorps State.

Allen's group braved the weather to help clean and beautify Audubon Nature Trails. Most of these projects were outside and focused on landscape, garden and greenbelt beautificaton projects.

Northwest Hills United Methodist Church didn't let the rain cancellation of its project stop them. Its members joined other volunteers at Any Baby Can to help prepare materials for the upcoming 3M Half Marathon.

"To have a community that is best for everyone, it takes everyone giving back and volunteering their time," said Sue Abold, who helps coordinate volunteer projects for the church.

The nonprofit organizations sponsoring projects are grateful for the efforts and time given by the volunteers. Christin Alvarado with Feria Para Aprender led volunteers in sorting donated Spanish-language books that will be given to children at an education fair on January 29.

"We really needed the help with this annual event," Alvardo said. "We usually have about 10,000 or so books that need sorting before the event, and this day is a great way to get the help."

The MLK Day of Service is unique to UWCA's other annual days of service in that it falls on a weekend and provides more flexibility for families to volunteer together. Visit handsoncentraltexas.org to see dates for our Spring Day of Service and find other volunteer opportunities in the Austin area.

Special thanks to our partners: Huston-Tillotson University, Austin Area Heritage Council, Ala Carte and State Representative Dawnna Dukes. And thank you to our sponsors Batter Blaster and Sunflower Market for providing a wonderful breakfast for our volunteers.

Mentor Month Spotlight: River City Youth Foundation

2011-01-24T12:01:00.000-06:00

As we enter the final week of National Mentor Month, we'd like to share this video entirely created by students at the River City Youth Foundation.

RCYF provided details of the project:

During the winter of 2009, River City Youth Foundation "My Hero!" mentoring program held a holiday camp that included a music portion. The children who had a desire to write positive lyrics about mentoring and Dove Springs were coached by River City Youth Foundation mentors and Jason Birdwell. Through encouragement from adults and other children, they were empowered to rap to their own lyrics in the studio, play instrumental tracks (guitar, bass guitar and percussion), create loops from software, and record video tracks that make up the entire content of "Come Mentor Us."

Make a difference in your community by becoming a 1 Hour for Kids mentor today!

Celebrating Austin mentors

2011-01-19T10:53:00.000-06:00

January is National Mentoring Month and United Way Capital Area wants to celebrate our 1 Hour for Kids local mentors.

Meet Alix Floyd, Director of Leadership Giving at United Way Capital Area who has mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters since June 2009.

"I mentor because a small commitment on my part can mean a huge difference in the life of a young person. I’ve been granted every advantage in life and it is my duty to pay it forward. I had the blessing of having parents, grandparents, teachers, and friend who were all invested in my success. Without their guidance my life would have been very, very different. I want all kids to have the advantage of supportive, caring, invested adults."

Make a difference in your community by becoming a 1 Hour for Kids mentor today!

Celebrating Austin mentors

2011-01-10T10:53:00.003-06:00

January is National Mentoring Month and United Way Capital Area wants to celebrate our 1 Hour for Kids local mentors.

Meet Janet Calhoun, an MBA student at UT Austin who has mentored a student through Breakthrough Austin since Aug. 2009.

" I don’t have a lot of free time in business school, so volunteering at Breakthrough has been a perfect way for me to utilize my passion in education and working with students. I have learned that just a few hours a week is a very rewarding experience for both the students and me."

Make a difference in your community by becoming a 1 Hour for Kids mentor today!

President Obama recognizes Mentoring Month

2011-01-06T12:45:00.003-06:00

President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation recognizing January 2011 as National Mentoring Month. Did you have a mentor growing up that made a significant impact on your life? Many of Austin's youths are in need of a responsible, caring adult to help them succeed. You can make a difference by visiting unitedwaycapitalarea.org/1hourforkids/ to learn about opportunities with seven Austin organizations. Make a difference today!

You can read the Presidential Proclamation below or visit whitehouse.gov.

Across our Nation, mentors steer our youth through challenging times and support their journey into adulthood. During National Mentoring Month, we honor these important individuals who unlock the potential and nurture the talent of our country, and we encourage more Americans to reach out and mentor young people in their community.

The dedication of mentors has helped countless young men and women succeed when they might have otherwise fallen short of their full potential. Mentors can provide a steady presence and share their valuable knowledge and experiences. Even brief amounts of quality time set aside by these compassionate adults can have a lasting impact on the development of a child. Mentors can also support the lessons of parents and teachers by encouraging students to complete their schoolwork and by instilling enduring values of commitment and persistence. From coaches to community leaders, tutors to trusted friends, mentors are working with today's youth to develop tomorrow's leaders.

We know the difference that a responsible, caring adult can make in a child's life. Effective mentoring programs can result in better school attendance, positive student attitudes, and a reduced likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use. Across the Federal Government, we have provided resources to expand mentoring opportunities for America's young people. We are increasing mentoring efforts in Native American and rural communities and are working to ensure our investments are coordinated, effective, and focused on those most in need. To help build healthy families and communities and provide our youth with strong role models, I launched the President's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative. First Lady Michelle Obama and I have also established mentoring programs within the White House, pairing staff with young men and women in the Washington, D.C., area. For information and resources about mentoring opportunities, I encourage all Americans to visit: www.Serve.gov/Mentor.

Many Americans have realized their promise because a mentor encouraged them to reach for new heights and guided them along the path to achievement. The contributions of these engaged adults extend beyond the lives they touch and have a lasting impact that strengthens our country and our future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2011 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon all public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

United Way's Fall Day of Caring 2010

2010-09-20T11:36:00.009-05:00

On Friday, September 10 over 950 volunteers joined forces with United Way Capital Area for their Fall Day of Caring event. Day of Caring is an opportunity for people from the community to come together to create change in Central Texas.

Volunteers were given the opportunity to take part in meaningful activities that focused on the education, income, health and environment of our community. Together, community volunteers worked alongside United Way Capital Area to create long-lasting change in our community, leading to a better life for all.

Volunteers came from over 28 companies in town and worked to complete 41 projects in and around Austin. Total volunteer time equated to $122,379 in service back to our community. Teams volunteered because it was a great way to team-build, because their company wanted to support a specific impact area and some because volunteering was a great way for their employees to see where dollars donated during their workplace giving campaigns are being put to work.

Random quotes of kindness…

“IBM was a great group - small but mighty. They worked extremely hard and completed and exceeded all the tasks we had outlined. It ended up being fairly messy work but they did it joyfully and kept great spirits (as they were dripping wet from power washing).”—Brett Barnes, Lifeworks

“I really enjoyed the presenters of the “Learn how to help middle school students in math” project. They were very knowledgeable about the subject matter and they had amazing guides to assist us as volunteers in succeeding with math students. It was an amazing opportunity, and if I could do it again, I most definitely would.” –Maryum Mitchell, Grad Student

" I recently helped at Top Drawer Thrift store in Austin for the United Way Capital Area Day of Caring and it was a wonderful experience! The staff and other volunteers were amazing and I had so much fun helping out!" -Becky Liendo, Community Volunteer

One-third of the projects hosted at Day of Caring were led by trained United Way Capital Area Volunteer Project Leaders! The Volunteer Project Leader training is a national initiative and aims to transform casual volunteers into active community leaders by equipping participants with the leadership skills and tools they need to make meaningful and lasting change in their communities. For more information on how to become a Volunteer Project Leader, or to have this course offered to your employees on the worksite, please contact Nikki Krueger at 512-386-8211.

We invite you to “like” United Way Capital Area on Facebook and view photos of our outstanding volunteers in action!

A special thank you to our event sponsors: Freescale Semiconductor (presenting sponsor), The Long Center for the Performing Arts and Coca-Cola. Our sponsors continue to support the work of United Way year after year and for this we are eternally grateful!

If you participated as a volunteer during Day of Caring or if you were unable to attend but still want to participate in the spirit of the day and would like to make a donation to support United Way Capital Area’s work in education, income and health, please click here.

Thank You, Samsung.

2010-09-03T13:45:00.001-05:00

UWCA’s Success By 6 (SB6) program just received its largest corporate donation ever – a $1 million gift from Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Samsung made the gift to celebrate their recent announcement of a $3.6-billion expansion to its 12-inch semiconductor fabrication plant in Austin. “We are pleased to commemorate our growth in Austin with a gift that benefits Central Texas in such a meaningful way,” said Dr. Oh-Hyun Kwon, president, Semiconductor Business, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

UWCA’s SB6 initiative ensures 40,000 of Travis County’s youngest and most vulnerable children will be ready to learn and succeed by the time they enter kindergarten. The program works to:

improve the quality of childcare serving low-income children
educate parents on ways to support their children’s development
provide mental health consultation to help with children’s social and emotional development

SB6 addresses children’s educational needs by identifying barriers and implementing proven strategies in cooperation with more than 30 nonprofit organizations, community and educational leaders and businesses.

“We are honored and deeply appreciative of such a generous gift and look forward to all of the possibilities and opportunities this will continue to create for our youngest and most vulnerable students,” Kevin Cole, UWCA Board Chair said. “This investment will increase our ability to make strategic program investments that will increase the number of vulnerable children who succeed in school.”

We gratefully acknowledge Samsung's $1 million commitment to ensure all Central Texas children will enter kindergarten happy, healthy, and prepared for school success.

Click here to learn more about the work of Success By 6.

Click here to read all of the coverage of this important gift.

UWCA and E3 Alliance Work Together To Improve Educational Systems

2010-08-31T14:53:00.000-05:00

To create better opportunities for Central Texas’ youth to learn, grow and engage the community, UWCA has teamed up with the E3 Alliance, a collaboration involving Austin Community College, Austin Area Research Organization and the University of Texas.

“E3 is a great catalyst for quality education in Central Texas,” says Sue Carpenter, UWCA Senior Director of Education. “Our education goals deliberately align because we both recognize the importance of having children start school prepared to succeed and, once they get there, find an outstanding educational environment.”

Shared leadership binds UWCA and E3 together and, as a result, they each take advantage of what the other has to offer. For example, UWCA education experts are on E3’s Goal 1 Championship team, which develops school readiness action plans, and E3 team members can be found on UWCA’s Success By 6 Leadership Council, which strives to make sure that every child is happy, healthy and prepared to succeed in school when they enter kindergarten.

This partnership produced the Central Texas Guide to School Readiness, the first student standard in the history of Texas. Meant for all 4-year-olds completing pre-kindergarten and entering kindergarten, its purpose is to assess their progress during the year and to offer teachers strategies to help them develop. It also helps Central Texas gauge how many of our children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed. It served over 3,600 students in its first year and is currently receiving excellent feedback from teachers and parents alike.

“We take the best lessons and learn from each others’ experiences to put forth the best programs we can,” says Susan Dawson, President of E3. “We follow a strong collaboration model, which is exemplified by our work with United Way Capital Area. It’s a great partnership that has proven to be very powerful.”

Rooted in Central Texas

2010-08-26T14:10:00.000-05:00

Our well-being is rooted in Education, Income and Health. When one area thrives, we all thrive.

Learn more at:

unitedwayroots.org

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

2010-08-25T15:46:00.001-05:00

United Way Capital Area Fall Day of Caring

Friday, September 10th, 8:30am - 12:30pm

Hands on Central Texas, a program of United Way Capital Area, invites you to be a part of the Fall Day of Caring, presented by Freescale Semiconductor.

Take a look at some of the projects volunteers have signed up to complete:

Ojeda Middle School beautification project
Empty Bowl Project
Boys and Girls Club Game Room Makeover
Kealing Middle School Garden Project
Goodwill Store Reorganization
Austin Recovery Playroom Set-Up
and many more!

Imagine what we can accomplish! For an up-to-date list of current Day of Caring projects, visit www.handsoncentraltexas.org.
Unable to attend but still want to participate in the spirit of the day?

Make a donation at www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/give

"I Live Here, I Give Here" asks: Are our children ready to learn?

2010-08-10T14:25:00.002-05:00

40% of kindergarteners enter Austin Independent School District without receiving adequate early childhood education required for them to succeed. Join "I Live Here, I Give Here" for lunch, and find out how you can help change this! You will hear from representatives of Any Baby Can, Bluebonnet Trails MHMR, Mainspring Schools and Success by Six.

Early Childhood Development: Sue Carpenter, Director of United Way Capital Area's Success at 6 from I Live Here, I Give Here on Vimeo.

From Little Brother to Big Brother

2010-08-10T09:34:00.003-05:00

In 1973, when Gregg Houston was four years old, his father passed away. Two years later, his mother enrolled him in a mentoring program in Michigan so he could have a positive male influence in his life. Early this year, Gregg began repaying the favor which was paid to him as a child and became a mentor to Elliot, a shy 15-year-old boy whose mother passed away from cancer three years ago and who now lives with his grandmother.

“My kids are grown up now. I have two daughters I raised like boys so my wife said I needed to finally have a boy,” Gregg said with a smile. Gregg, who works for the IRS, learned about the need for mentors at the company’s annual leadership conference and signed up through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, a partner of UWCA and 1 Hour for Kids.

United Way Capital Area’s initiatives, such as 1 Hour For Kids, focus on helping hundreds of at-risk middle school students make connections to mentors, tutors, advocates, role models and other supportive adults who can help them achieve academic and life success.

Currently, one out of every four of Austin’s students entering the ninth grade does not graduate from high school. UWCA’s experts in education know that middle school students with at least one supportive adult in their lives are twice as likely to graduate from high school as those who do not.

Sometimes it takes Elliot awhile to warm up to Gregg when they get together, but thanks to fun activities like trips to the movies, the zoo, the park and the museum, Gregg has finally started to see some real improvement. “I know I’m making progress with him because he’s opening up to me more than before and smiling more often when we’re together. When I speak with his grandmother after I drop him off, I can tell he’s talking about me and she says he’s so excited when he comes home that he bounces off the walls!”

Even though being Elliot’s mentor is only a one-year commitment, Gregg fully recommends the experience to anyone that has the time. “This is about time and dedication, not about hanging out for a weekend. I’ll know Elliot for the rest of his life.”

If you would like more information about becoming a mentor and impacting the lives of Austin’s youth, please visit www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/1hourforkids.

Thanks a Billion, UPS!

2010-08-02T14:18:00.004-05:00

Click on the image to sign the card for UPS.

Leader Spotlight: 6 Questions for Anne Wingler, Executive Director of Faith Presbyterian Child Development Center

2010-07-27T15:55:00.001-05:00

Q. What is your educational background?
A. I have been in the field of child development for over 20 years. Before moving to Austin in 1988, I served on the child development board for a preschool program in Mountain View, California. After moving to Austin, I joined the Mothers-Morning-Out program at Faith Presbyterian Church and soon became lead teacher for that group. The following year, I served as an assistant teacher for St. Mark's Episcopal Day School toddler class and became lead teacher for that group the next year. St. Mark's School board told me that they applauded my talent to teach, and insisted that I begin formal education in child development. While still teaching at St. Mark's, I enrolled in classes at Austin Community College. In 2000, I left St. Mark's to attend college full-time at Texas State University, earning my bachelor's degree in the fall of 2002.

Q. What did you do before becoming the director of Faith Presbyterian CDC?
A. Concerned with the lives of disadvantaged children, I interned at the Children's Defense Fund in Austin from 2000 through 2002. Here I learned firsthand the business of running a nonprofit organization. At Austin's Children's Defense Fund, I managed nonprofit finances (creating budgets, grants management, accounts payable and accounts receivable); human resources (coordinating volunteers, managing new hire paperwork, timesheets, and travel reimbursements); event planning (statewide conferences, regional health enrollment fairs, and the annual Beat the Odds fundraiser); and program work (research, early child care education and health advocacy, and Katrina relief initiatives for children and families).

Q. Who or what drew you to the field of early childhood?
A. I am a mother of four boys and found myself very interested in understanding human development. When my husband and I started having children we wanted to make sure that we understood how to raise them with the best possible environment we could provide. So I started buying books on the subject and my interest just grew from there.

Q. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A. Working with the families and their children. Taking care of their children is sometimes only part of what I can do for a family. I see a family struggling with the circumstances that they are in and do what I can to put them in touch with services that will aid them to be able to get their feet on the ground. I feel a great sense of satisfaction seeing them succeed in their goals.

Q. If someone wrote Faith Presbyterian CDC a check for a million dollars, I would...
A. Put it towards an educational fund for my staff. People don't realize how important it is to have educated teachers at this level of development. Just about anyone accepts that the major part of a child's development occurs before age 5. Yet they may not consider what type of education the person taking care of that child needs in order to understand what developmental stages a child goes through and how to recognize problems in that development and how to map out a corrective action plan or how to address more significant problems to the parents to help them understand what they need to do to address them. I would also update the kitchen. It really needs new cabinets and flooring. It's really a strong point to insure that the children are getting the nutrition they need to develop both mentally and physically. I would also strengthen the center curriculum to include a stronger cultural diversity component. I feel that in today's world that there is no excuse for not exposing kids to the many different cultures because the world is getting smaller a person must be sensitive to other's cultural background and be respectful of those differences. I would also improve staff benefits. They are entrusted with taking care of the most precious gifts we have and really do work hard. The teachers are on their feet nearly the whole day keeping up with the kids, the curriculum, and the procedures necessitated by the myriad laws that we are required to follow.

Q. If I'm not at work, you can find me...
A. When I'm not at work you can find me spending time with my family. My husband, Todd, and I have raised four sons. Shawn, 29, graduated from the University of Texas in Austin and works at a computer gaming company called "Edge of Reality". Christopher, 28, graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2005 with a degree in theatre arts and is pursuing a career in acting. He is also currently finishing up courses in auto mechanics as a second career opportunity. Our son Todd, 26, belongs to the Electricians Union and is training to become a professional electrician. Our youngest son Tyler, 18, is a junior at the Austin Waldorf School.

To learn more about Faith Presbyterian CDC, please click here.

Partnering with the Community

2010-07-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

Contributed by Mary Sondgeroth

One of the United Way Success by Six goals is to increase the number of your families in poverty with young children who have participated in evidence-based parenting education and support activities. Child Inc. is making a significant contribution to this goal through the Early Head Start Expansion Program which will provide parent education to 96 eligible children ages prenatal to 2+ and their parents in their Travis County home. Using the Parents as Teachers curriculum, the program seeks to increase a child's social, emotional, and cognitive readiness for school through weekly lessons, monthly group socializations, and periodic developmental screening.

Mary Sondgeroth joined the United Way Success by Six staff in February funded by the Child Inc. Early Head Start Expansion Grant. Her role is one of liaison. She coordinates the implementation of the grant program by supporting the United Way funded agencies that are partnering with Child Inc., including Any Baby Can, Communities in Schools and the YWCA. This is an innovative collaboration bringing Early Head Start home-based parent education and therapeutic support to children and families served by other community agencies. Children, families, and agencies benefit when the knowledge and experience of multiple agencies are blended in this way.

For further information about this program or to refer a family, please contact Judy Szilagyi at (512) 451-7361 Ext 221 or Mary Sondgeroth at (512) 225-0391.

Hurricane Alex Keeps 2-1-1 Texas on Their Toes

2010-07-13T13:43:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year again: hurricane season, which means it’s also time for UWCA’s 2-1-1 Texas to step up their disaster response efforts.

“Day to day we get calls from people who are dealing with their own personal disaster,” says Kay Euresti Garza, Director of 2-1-1 Texas. “When a local or state incident occurs, we provide information and referral support to our neighbors in need. It’s very fulfilling and humbling to guide a caller from a state of panic, in some cases, to a state of being empowered with correct resource information.”

Hurricane Alex was the first named storm of the 2010 hurricane season making landfall south of Brownsville, Texas on June 30. During Hurricane Alex, 2-1-1 Texas expanded its hours to better serve their fellow Texans in need of disaster resource information while monitoring the situation alongside the State Operations Center (SOC). Although Hurricane Alex ultimately had little impact on Texas, federal, state, and local disaster response agencies had resources staged and ready to go, in preparation for the worst.

Many of the calls 2-1-1 Texas received during Hurricane Alex were from people seeking transportation because they are either elderly, disabled, or don’t have a vehicle. One call came from Hidalgo County from a daughter who called to register her father who is confined to bed and has feeding tubes attached to his body. During a disaster, he would need an ambulance to take him to a special needs shelter. “It would be hard to forgive myself if I let something happen to him,” she said. Information from these callers is put into the Transportation Assistance Registry so that proper transportation can be provided locally in case of an evacuation.

2-1-1 Texas is a part of the Texas Information Referral Network and, during a disaster, serves as the public information gateway providing local- and state-level information on evacuation declarations and routes, shelter information, missing persons, federal, state and local assistance, and ongoing assistance and recovery. To speed callers directly to disaster-related information, a special “Option # 5” is activated and it is the first option callers hear when they call 2-1-1.

To learn more about 2-1-1 Texas and the services they provide, visit www.211centraltexas.org.

President’s Cabinet Experts Make an Impact

2010-06-16T10:10:00.001-05:00

The ideas are free-flowing and come from all directions. This could be any executive meeting in Austin. Yet those around this table are making an impact on the community as part of the President’s Cabinet, a group of experts made up of retirees, those between jobs and others that advise the management team at UWCA.

Chuck LaDow, a troubleshooting call center expert formerly with Tandem Computers, Apple and Dell, joined up only four months ago and is already helping to streamline and grow UWCA’s call center operations. “2-1-1 Texas is growing from a single focus to a multi-focused program,” said LaDow. “As more agencies realize the capacity and expertise of 2-1-1 more requests for services are coming in, as well as more funding.”

LaDow’s expertise in call centers spans the globe from Texas to India and he’s been recognized repeatedly for his efforts to dramatically improve customer satisfaction. His experience fits well as UWCA is expanding and taking on calls for health care assistance through Central Health’s Medical Assistance program (MAP). LaDow is working directly with Kay Euresti Garza, UWCA’s 2-1-1 Texas Director, to best integrate and train staff to take on these new efforts.

Last year, UWCA began prescreening applicants for the MAP program to streamline the pre-screening eligibility process. By calling, customers are able to find out if they are eligible for the program, get information on what documents are necessary and setup an appointment with an MAP intake specialist.

Since its inception in 2008, members of the President’s Cabinet have contributed more than 3,500 volunteer hours. The group meets weekly for brainstorming and group discussions with members taking on various projects which include building improvements, purchasing optimization, marketing consultation, new business development and strategic planning.

“It is an honor to be a part of the President's Cabinet,” says Beth Vivio, Chairwoman of the President’s Cabinet and a community volunteer. “Debbie Bresette, in conjunction with the UWCA Board of Directors, is doing a tremendous job leading the organization which is such a vital community resource. It's exciting to be a part of the positive changes taking place at UWCA and knowing that this work will positively impact the entire community.”

In addition to LaDow and Vivio, other members of the President's Cabinet include:

Bill Cryer, public affairs executive for Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Meg Moore, principal with Austin Strategic Planning
Bill O’Brien, retired executive of worldwide manufacturing for IBM
Sheila Plank, strategic marketing/management executive
Wynn Presson, retired executive with nonprofit hospitals and health care systems
Savita Raj, nonprofit strategic planning and grants management consultant
David Sandal, global services manager for Applied Materials
Irina Sasu, owner of canine industry services and consulting business
Jim Sutherlin, retired technology and manufacturing executive
Mark Williams, principal of M Ramsey consulting, specializing in sales and marketing

United Way & Univision Radio - Bank On Central Texas Launch

2010-06-07T09:07:00.002-05:00

Former Aztex superstar Robin D. Martinez, Univision and United Way Capital Area at the launch of Bank On Central Texas.

Make your Money Count!¡DALE VALOR A TU DINERO!

2010-06-04T09:17:00.004-05:00

Today, everyone can get a checking, savings or debit account. You can deposit your money for free or at a low-cost and pay your bills for no additional cost. Even if you’ve had problems with an account in the past, have never had an account before, or don’t have a Social Security number, you can open an account in Central Texas.

Click here to learn more about Bank On Central Texas.

Photos from the June 1, 2010 Bank On Central Texas Launch at Austin, TX City Hall

Bennu Coffee Lives United May 23-25

2010-05-21T13:20:00.002-05:00

Bennu Coffee, (2001 E. MLK Blvd.), will be donating 5% of their proceeds to United Way Capital Area May 23 – 25.

Take some time to drop in for your morning cup of coffee or grab a slice of pizza for lunch and be sure to thank them for their support!

Get on the Money Bus

2010-05-10T14:11:00.002-05:00

We could all use a little extra Financial Literacy help, right? Lucky for us, the YOUR MONEY BUS TOUR is coming to Austin! For 2 days, local certified financial planners will be volunteering their time to sit down with residents and answer their personal financial questions - free of charge, with NO strings attached. As part of their nationwide tour, the Your Money Bus Tour will be in Austin on May 21st and 22nd.

For complete details, please visit their website at: www.yourmoneybus.com

To get a preview of what the bus is doing in towns around the U.S., check out their blog: http://yourmoneybus.blogspot.com/

Austinites LIVE UNITED at the United Way Capital Area Spring Day of Caring

2010-04-29T12:17:00.003-05:00

United Way Capital Area’s Spring Day of Caring was a huge success! On Friday, April 23, volunteers gathered at the Dove Springs Recreation Center to check-in for their project assignments and hear about the impact their volunteer service would make on the Austin community. Mayor Leffingwell spoke to the volunteers about the impact they were making through giving a few hours of their time to a local nonprofit. “Creating more opportunities for people to have a better life is not something that city officials can do alone. We rely on organizations like United Way to assist in addressing the needs of our community,” said Leffingwell.

Over 700 volunteers completed 30 different projects citywide.

That equates to over $72,000 in volunteer time back to the local community. In one day, volunteers built houses, constructed wheelchair ramps, beautified gardens, painted parking lots, prepared water safety kits, and cleaned the streets of downtown Austin and much, much more!

Special thanks to all the agencies who participate in the United Way Day of Caring by hosting projects. Thank you to the companies who support employee volunteerism and allow their teams to take time away from the office to give back. These teams continue to amaze us by the sheer amount of work they complete in such a short amount of time!

We couldn’t do it without the strong support of our sponsors. Thanks to Freescale Semiconductor, H-E-B, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, New Flower Market, Rudy’s BBQ, Carving Board Delicatessen and Coca-Cola.

Don’t lose your service momentum! Mark your calendars for the United Way Capital Area Fall Day of Caring on Friday, September 10! See you there!

Help United Way Capital Area reach its goal!

2010-04-06T12:45:00.000-05:00

Until June 30, United Way Capital Area
has the unique ability to match your
first time gift of $1000 or more to
Success By 6 dollar for dollar, doubling
your impact on the community.

Go to: sb6centraltexas.org to learn more.

The 2009 2-1-1 Texas Community Needs and Trends Report is here!

2010-04-06T12:41:00.002-05:00

Click here to download the
2009 2-1-1 Texas Community Needs and Trends Report now (5MB).

An Exclusive Volunteering Opportunity: 211 Disaster Response Training

2010-03-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management and the State Operations Center positioned 2-1-1 as one of the public information gateway during a disaster. When your 211 United Way Helpline has to ramp up in order to repond to disasters, it takes the efforts of volunteers to help man the phones.

Click here to sign up.

LIVE UNITED Film Series introduces panel of Latino Health experts

2010-03-24T11:19:00.005-05:00

The purpose of the LIVE UNITED Film Series is to to inspire, inform & educate Central Texans about critical social issues with the goal of making positive community change through creative dialogue and action. For tomorrow's screening of Critical Condition: Hector's story, we're bringing together a panel of Latino health experts to discuss how living without health insurance can have a spiraling effect on people's lives. Hector's Story is one that Latinos know very well. Health issues impact the Latino community in so many ways. Our panel of health experts will help us understand what we have to do as a community to combat this issue, not only for Latinos but for all Americans.

LIVE UNITED Film Series
Critical Condition: Hector's Story
Thursday, March 25, 2010
6:30-8:30pm
Alamo Drafthouse South (1120 S. Lamar)

Thank you to our panel of experts....

Dr. Jacqueline Angel, moderator Professor of Public Affairs and Sociology LBJ School of Public Affairs - University of Texas Author, research and expertise in family, health, aging and Latinos

Featured panlists include Jose Camacho, Excecutive Director/Legal Counsel at Texas Association of Community Health Centers and Lil Almonte, Director of Outreach at El Buen Samaritano.

Live United Film series looks at health and the Hispanic community

2010-03-22T12:18:00.000-05:00

Join KLRU, United Way Capital Area and the Alamo Drafthouse for a special film screening and discussion on Thursday, March 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse South, 1120 South Lamar.

RSVP here

2010 Spring Day of Caring Starring: YOU

2010-03-22T12:09:00.001-05:00

2010 Spring Day of Caring -- United Way Capital Area from unitedwaycapitalarea on Vimeo.

Click here to access and register for an available Day of Caring Project.

LIVE UNITED Film Series: Critical Condition: Hector's Story

2010-03-15T15:21:00.005-05:00

You're invited to a special screening and discussion on healthcare.

CRITICAL CONDITION:
A thoughtful look at the healthcare crisis
Screening and Discussion
March 25, 2010
6:30 - 8:30pm
Alamo Drafthouse South

1120 South Lamar,
Austin, TX

Free to the public.
All are invited!

Go to:
http://handsoncentraltexas.org/

to RSVP!

Meet Hector Cardenas. He worked his whole life. Then he lost his job, his health insurance ... and his infected foot to diabetes. Now he lives in a hotel and struggles to pay the medical bills.

Join us for a special screening of Critical Condition, which captures the harrowing struggles of critically ill Americans who discover that being uninsured can cost them their jobs, health, home, savings, even their lives.

Join us after the film to hear panelists discuss the film and the issues Hispanics and other Americans without health insurance live with every day.

Know more - and share what you know.

Get Engaged - Sign up today!

Moderator: Jacqueline L. Angel
Professor of Public Affairs and Sociology
LBJ School of Public Affairs - University of Texas
Author, research and expertise in family, health, aging and Latinos

Day of Caring Profile: Ramping Up to Help the Homebound

2010-03-09T13:40:00.001-06:00

“I enjoy it—it’s as simple as that,” said Dennis Mick, a retired 3M employee who now spends his free time building wheelchair ramps. “I like working with my hands and I like seeing the immediate results.”

Mick will be just one of hundreds of volunteers using their hands to help others on Friday, April 23 during the United Way Spring Day of Caring. This event offers opportunities for community volunteers to lend a hand in tackling issues such as poverty, education and health—doing everything from building homes to delivering meals to beautifying community parks.

Through his work with the Texas Ramps project, Mick will lead volunteers in projects during this year’s Day of Caring.

To sign-up for the Day of Caring, visit www.handsoncentraltexas.org and register for a project.

Mick says there are numerous people in the community who are homebound due to their inability to negotiate stairs because they must rely upon a walker or wheelchair. In about 5 hours, Mick and his team of volunteers can complete a ramp giving new freedom to those who need it.

In late February, Mick and a team of volunteers from the Northwest Kiwanis built a wheelchair ramp for Janet, who lives with her husband in a mobile home near Manor. Janet had undergone surgery several days earlier to relieve symptoms from spinal stenosis which had left her paralyzed. Her husband, Steve, said he was very pleased that his wife could return home after more than five months of treatment in the hospital.

Mick said it’s gratifying how to see how much the ramps mean to people. “One woman had not left her home in three months,” said Mick. “She wanted to go to church as that was very important to her. After we completed the ramp, she asked to see me. She said she didn’t have much and then told me to back my chair up and she gave me the best back rub I’ve ever had.”

2010 United Way Spring Day of Caring Projects Now Available!

2010-03-03T11:21:00.001-06:00

Hands On Central Texas, a program of United Way Capital Area, invites you to be a part of the United Way Spring Day of Caring, presented by Freescale Semiconductor.

Date: Friday, April 23, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Location: TBD
Volunteer registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Kick-off program: 9:00 a.m.
Projects start: 10:00 a.m.

To learn more and register, click here.

Live United Film Series attendees share what they think

2010-02-22T14:17:00.004-06:00

Some of the attendees at our last film series screening, It All Adds Up, had great ideas about how we can make Austin schools better, and KLRU caught up with them to find out what they had to say:

The next Live United Film Series screening is Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse South. The evening will focus on financial stability and feature Frontline: Inside the Meltdown. For more details and to RSVP, click here.

LIVE UNITED Film Series -- Watch the promo video

2010-02-18T14:41:00.000-06:00

Join KLRU and United Way at the Alamo Drafthouse South for a community discussion on the global economic crisis and the impact on Austin. February 25th beginning at 7pm.

Click here to RSVP for this event.

Success By 6 Touchpoints Training

2010-02-18T11:42:00.000-06:00

What is the best way to improve the lives of children? Engage more effectively with their parents. During the past three years, United Way Success By 6 has been doing just that by offering Touchpoints training, a parent education program developed by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton.

“The Touchpoints training helped me provide solutions to the mother of a two-year-old whose child cried every time she was left at school,” said Nadine Rueb, Family Service Coordinator of MainSpring Schools. “The mother made a few simple adjustments such as extending the child’s sleep schedule, reading books to help her child understand feelings of separation anxiety, and giving her child a stuffed comfort animal. Within two weeks, the child was doing much better. The mother was also greatly relieved to know this was all part of her child’s normal growth and development.”

Early childhood professionals engaged
in a Touchpoints training session.

In the training, child care providers and early childhood professionals learn how to enhance parenting skills to help parents identify, expect and understand the stages of normal child development. Armed with this knowledge, parents are less likely to become frustrated and more able to enjoy and support their children.

United Way Capital Area subsidizes qualified early childhood professionals to become trainers and leaders in the Touchpoints program. In exchange, each trainer agrees to train others. To date, UWCA has sponsored seven trainers, who in turn have trained 80 individuals from more than a dozen early childhood agencies.

The Touchpoints program provides a vehicle for Success By 6 to implement several priority strategies, including parent education, training for professionals, and linkages with health care providers. Members of the volunteer leadership team include: Isabel Clark, State of Texas; Laura Koenig, Family Connections; Kathy Scherer, psychologist and founder of InConnection; Marsha Caven, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School; Lina Hinojosa, Workforce Solutions; and Mary Sondgeroth, Success By 6. Mary and Marsha, the newest members of the team, were certified in December thanks to a generous grant from Dell.

United Way plans to offer Touchpoints training in the spring for healthcare professionals, plus a future training for child care centers. To learn more about the Touchpoints Approach™, contact Rachel Colombana.

Live United Film Series: It All Adds Up Recap and Photos

2010-02-02T10:19:00.001-06:00

Thanks to everyone who attended the first Live United Film Series event on Jan. 28. Stay tuned for details about the February screening. If you attended the event, and would like to continue our conversation about the state of education in Central Texas, please comment below.

(Professional photographs, courtesy of KLRU.)

KLRU and United Way Capital Area teamed up to bring Central Texas the Live United Film Series. The first event on 1/28 focused on education.

More than 150 people watched the documentary IT ALL ADS UP and Jason Sabo from United Ways of Texas moderated a discussion on whether the Central Texas community is investing enough in education.

Panelists were:
Clayton Christopher from Sweet Leaf Tea and a student he is mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.
Dr. Michael Marder from University of Texas UTeach project.
Liliana Ary from Univision Radio

LIVE UNITED Film Series: All it takes is a game of UNO

2010-01-27T23:23:00.004-06:00

Life is too hectic.
Work is crazy busy.
I am already overcommitted.
There never seems to be enough time.
I have my own kids.
Someone else will do it.
Will I really make a difference?

What do all these statements have in common? They could easily be reasons as to why you cannot be a mentor to a young person in need. And guess what? They are all very valid statements. However, they are also an easy way convince yourself to NOT get involved in the life of a young person.

As the Director of Volunteer Services and Community Partnerships for Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CIS), I see the impact a caring adult mentor can have on a child just by showing up one time per week. Each year, we match more than 500 CIS students with adult mentors. Often times, these students are in need of a little extra support. This support can come from a one hour a week volunteer mentor. That hour can spent playing a game of Uno. It can be as simple as homework help or a walk around the school track. That extra support can be just the thing that makes a difference to a child. Knowing that their mentor will be there can translate to improvement a child’s attendance at school. Or it could be just the thing that allows them to dream of a brighter future. Or gives them the hope that they can achieve great things.

Our mentors are able to connect with students in a way that a teacher or a parent cannot.
CIS Mentors make an incredible difference in the lives of the children they mentor. And mentors report that the students make a pretty big impact on their lives as well.

It is imperative that our community come together to help our kids stay in school and on track to graduate high school. If we, caring adults in the community, can support our young people to achieve, then we can make our community stronger and their futures brighter. I hope you can be convinced to get involved in the life of a young person.

I am a mom and I am committed to helping my 4 year daughter grow up to be a successful young woman (that's us on the left). I commit to being an involved parent. I am also about to be a soccer coach. This is my way to be a caring adult in the lives of other kids in my community.

What can you commit to doing to help a young person in your community? An easy one is to join us this Thursday, January 28th from 6-8:30 at the Austin City Limits Studio at KLRU for the LIVE UNITED Film Series. Be inspired by the film, "It All Adds Up" to get involved. You will make a difference. I see it firsthand every day!

Alissa Magrum
Director of Volunteer Services and Community Partnerships
Communities In Schools of Central Texas

United Way’s 2010 Martin Luther King Day of Service

2010-01-25T10:37:00.000-06:00

United Way’s 2010 Martin Luther King Day of Service on Saturday, January 16 was an incredible success!

The theme “everybody can be great because anybody can serve” was definitely felt throughout the entire day. We are still in awe of the attendance at the morning kick-off and throughout the day. Approximately 700 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds carried out Dr. King’s legacy of service by painting the Dove Springs neighborhood recreation center, painting and organizing at the Austin Groups for the Elderly, planting 100 trees at different sites with Foundation Communities, beautifying numerous parks and schools and stuffing hundreds of bags in preparation for the 2010 Feria Para Aprender.

Think about it-- six hours of volunteer service translates to $87,360 in a single day that went back to our community!

LIVE UNITED Film Series: Helping Middle School Kids

2010-01-21T10:38:00.003-06:00

On January 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. KLRU and United Way Capital Area will present the film "It All Adds Up" as part of the Live United Film Series. "It All Adds Up" chronicles the experiences of Math Corps - a Detroit-based effort to engage middle and high school students in high energy math instruction. Math Corps is defying the stereotypes of not only mathematics education, but of participating students themselves. As one of the program founders notes, math can be a tool for engaging children in education and in their own futures. While the program's committed adults and rigorous and relevant academics inspire students to be academically success, the students also gain skills to win the day to do more than simply solve sophisticated math problems.

While the focus of “It All Adds Up” is on lively math instruction, there is no doubt that a big part of the student success can be attributed to the committed adults who are working with these middle and high school students. Whether it is time spent on instruction, time visiting a college campus or time just hanging out, the building of a positive relationship is at the core. During this month, National Mentor Month, we salute those who are giving of their time to make a difference in the lives of youth and I invite everyone that is passionate about young people to join us.

We invite you to attend the screening and the moderated panel discussion of the film and its implications for our community. The panelists represent a diverse cross-section of our community's citizens and institutions. They include Dr. Michael Marder-UTeach, Liliana Ary-Univision Radio & Clayton Christopher-Sweet Leaf Tea accompanied by a young person he mentors through Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Texas. I hope you will not only participate in this meaningful and very important conversation, but that you will also get involved to make a difference in the lives of middle school students in our community.

Laura G. Garcia

Director of Community Building – Education

United Way Capital Area

LIVE UNITED Film Series Panel: Not the usual suspects

2010-01-19T12:50:00.013-06:00

As we developed the first screening of the LIVE UNITED Film Series, we wanted to ensure we had a good mix of community leaders and issue experts on our panel. The film's (It All Adds Up) focus is on education and we targeted people in the field; experts and those who understand the culture of how education affects communities. We wanted to mix it up and didn't go with the usual suspects and we liked how it turned out! The panel consists of an education/public policy expert, an entrepreneur & mentor, a physicist/mathematician & a media/marketing professional and we'll also hear first-hand from a young person dealing with the issues highlighted in the film.

The LIVE UNITED Film Series panelists include....

Clayton Christopher, CEO of Sweet Leaf Tea

Liliana Ary, Client Service Director at Univision Radio

Dr. Michael Marder, Physics Professor at the University of Texas at Austin

Jason Sabo, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at United Ways of Texas. Jason will also serve as moderator for the evening.

Thanks to all our participants and we hope to see you on January 28th!

LIVE UNITED Film Series
January 28, 2010
6:00-8:30pm
KLRU's Austin City Limits Studios
RSVP at www.handsoncentraltexas.org

Education & LIVE UNITED Film Series: Guest Post by Jason Sabo - United Ways of Texas

2010-01-14T08:55:00.011-06:00

As concerns about the economy and American competitiveness grow, a new axiom is emerging in education debates. Many education reformers, parents, and students argue that the fight for a high quality education for every American isn't only good economic policy, it is the twenty-first century incarnation of the civil rights movement. Taking this analogy one step further, some contend that Freshman Algebra has become a key gateway to Dr. Martin Luther King's mountaintop of equal opportunity and the freedom to pursue the American dream. Unfortunately, supporting the academic success of students in math and science can sometimes feel as complicated as a complex algebraic equation.

On January 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. KLRU and United Way Capital Area will present the film "It All Adds Up" as part of the Live United Film Series. "It All Adds Up" chronicles the experiences of Math Corps - a Detroit-based effort to engage middle and high school students in high energy math instuction. Math Corps is defying the stereotypes of not only mathematics education, but of participating students themselves. As one of the program's founders notes, math is merely a tool for engaging children in education and in their own futures. Math Corps has proven time and time again that motivated and engaged students can break the barriers that all too often create obstacles to success. The program's committed adults and rigorous and relevant academics win the day - and do more than simply solve sophisticated math problems.

After the screening of the film, I will have a chance to moderate a panel discussion of the film and its implications for our community. Our panelists represent a diverse cross-section of our community's citizens and institutions. They include Dr. Michael Marder-UTeach, Liliana Ary-Univision Radio & Clayton Christopher-Sweet Leaf Tea accompanied by a young person he mentors at Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Texas. I hope you will join us for this meaningful and very important conversation.

Register today at www.handsoncentraltexas.org.

Jason Sabo
Senior Vice President of Public Policy
United Ways of Texas

RSVP today and don't miss out on MLK Day of Service

2010-01-07T11:07:00.002-06:00

MLK Day of Service 2010

Saturday, January 16
8:30am – 3:00pm

Kickoff Location:
Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon Street
Davage-Durden Union Building

Click here to register.

Keynote speaker:
Dr. Richard Reddick,

graduate of Johnston HS, UT-Austin
and Harvard, now professor at UT-Austin

With performances by
The Cipher - Austin's Hip-Hop Project

Sign up now for one of these HOT projects!
1 Hour for Kids: Painting Dove Springs Recreation Center
Click here to register.

Mainspring Schools: Community Garden and Classroom Clean-Up
Click here to register.

Garden work at Hospice Austin
Click here to register.

Click here to see all projects. >>

President Obama Proclaims January National Mentoring Month

2010-01-06T12:43:00.002-06:00

January 6, 2010: The White House has released President Obama's proclamation stating that January is officially National Mentoring Month in America.

The proclamation, in part, reads: "Every day, mentors in communities across our Nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch, or just listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child's life. During National Mentoring Month, we recognize those who give generously of themselves by mentoring young Americans.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs."

To see the full Presidential Proclamation, go to www.nationalmentoringmonth.org

To begin mentoring today, go to 1hourforkids.org

Volunteers showcase the importance of volunteering as a family during United Way’s Family Volunteer Day!

2009-12-01T11:11:00.001-06:00

Over 60 volunteers made up of parents, children, grandparents and friends came together to volunteer their time at JJ Pickle Elementary/St. John’s Community Center on Saturday, November 21, 2009.

Volunteers cleaned up a trail along Buttermilk Creek and outside the entire school yard picking up over 200 bags of trash. They also built four garden beds and cleaned and weeded an existing flower bed. Volunteers talked about how much fun they had volunteering as a family and the impact they had made in the St. John Community.

After picking up trash a youth quoted: "I love picking up trash and I hope there is more to pick up next year!"

The event kicked-off with a continental breakfast and a brief program. The speakers included Joel De La Garza, Principal of JJ Pickle Elementary, Allen Weeks, President of St. John’s Neighborhood Association and Debbie Bresette, Interim President of United Way Capital Area.

Children enjoyed faced painting and arts and crafts projects.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who participated to make “Family Day of Service” a success!

Please share your volunteer experience by posting a comment!

Thank You,
Diana Santos
Corporate and Volunteer Relations, Director

HEB Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner: Volunteering to help feed thousands of Central Texans

2009-11-24T11:22:00.006-06:00

Our very own Hands On Central Texas Advisory Council member & super HEB community relations extraordinaire, Tamra Jones provides a great personal reflection on why the HEB Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner is important to this community; not only on this blog but on Ahora Si, Austin American-Statesman's newspaper en Español. But you don't have to take my word for it, read for yourself in English or Spanish!

Volunteering to help feed thousands of Central Texans

Tamra Jones

H-E-B Public Affairs, Central Texas Region

As a 10-year volunteer of the annual Feast of Sharing celebration in Austin, and an H-E-B employee, I am truly looking forward to this year’s event.

H-E-B will celebrate its 20^th annual Feast of Sharing dinner in Austin on Tuesday, November 24 from 4 – 8 p.m. in the Palmer Events Center located at 900 Barton Springs Rd. Each year, hundreds of H-E-B and community volunteers in Austin work together to prepare and serve more than twelve thousand meals to the community while attendees enjoy live entertainment with performances by local schools, choirs and groups. We're so grateful to our many community partners who work with us to make the event a success, especially United Way Capital Area & Hands on Central Texas, which help recruit & coordinate our volunteers.

Feast of Sharing is part of H-E-B's Helping Here commitment and supports the company’s continuous effort to serve our community and combat hunger. This special gathering gives us an opportunity to serve a healthy meal, share a spirit of friendship during the holiday season, and express thanks and appreciation to our customers, the community, friends and Partners (employees).

This year, it’s more important than ever to give back to our community and share with those who are less fortunate. Nearly one in five Central Texans are considered “food insecure,” which means they don’t have access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources. More than three-fourths of households receiving assistance from Capital Area Food Bank Partner Agencies report incomes below the federal poverty level.

Free parking is available at the Palmer parking garage and free one-day bus passes will be available to the first 5,000 visitors, beginning on November 16^th at the following stores, courtesy of Capital Metro and H-E-B:

H-E-B #1 at 2701 E. 7^th St.

H-E-B #3 at 1000 E. 41^st St.

H-E-B #8 at 2400 S. Congress Ave.

H-E-B #12 at 2508 E. Riverside Dr.

H-E-B #15 at 9414 N. Lamar

It’s been such a pleasure volunteering at Feast of Sharing, and 2009 marks my second year coordinating the event in Austin. It’s even a family affair—my husband and daughter always join me to help serve meals and prepare drinks.

Whether volunteering your time or stopping by to enjoy a warm meal, we hope you can join us!

Happy holidays,

Tamra K. Jones

H-E-B Public Affairs, Central Texas Region

Opinión: Dona tu tiempo para alimentar a los necesitados

Hace más de 10 años que participo como voluntaria de la Fiesta Anual para Compartir de Austin, y espero con ansias el evento de este año.

Los supermercados H-E-B celebrarán su Vigésima Fiesta Anual para Compartir la Cena en Austin el martes 24 de noviembre entre 4 y 8 p.m. en el centro de eventos Palmer ubicado en 900 Barton Springs Road. Cada año, cientos de voluntarios de H-E-B y de la comunidad se juntan para preparar y servir más de 12,000 comidas mientras los asistentes disfrutan de espectáculos en vivo con las actuaciones de escuelas locales, coros y grupos.

Este año es más importante que nunca extenderle la mano a nuestra comunidad y compartir con aquellos que son menos afortunados. Casi uno de cada cinco residentes del Centro de Texas tiene un “insumo alimentario inseguro”, lo que significa que no tienen acceso a alimentos suficientes para satisfacer sus necesidades básicas debido a la falta de ingresos. Más de tres cuartas partes de quienes reciben asistencia del Banco de Alimentos del Área Capital tienen ingresos por debajo del nivel federal de pobreza.

La Fiesta Anual para Compartir es parte de la iniciativa Ayudando Aquí Mismo de H-E-B y apoya el esfuerzo de la compañía para combatir el hambre. Esta reunión es una oportunidad especial para servir una comida sana, compartir un espíritu de amistad durante la temporada festiva, y mostrar agradecimiento y aprecio a la comunidad, los amigos y los empleados.

Habrá estacionamiento gratuito y un pase libre de autobús para los primeros 5,000 visitantes a partir del 16 de noviembre en las siguientes tiendas, cortesía de Capital Metro y H-E-B:

H-E-B # 1 en 2701 E. 7th St.

H-E-B # 3 en el 1000 E. 41st St.

H-E-B # 8 en 2400 S. Congress Ave.

H-E-B # 12 en el 2508 E. Riverside Drive

H-E-B # 15 en 9414 N. Lamar

Otros socios comunitarios trabajan para hacer del evento un éxito como United Way que ayuda a reclutar y coordinar a los voluntarios.
Ha sido un placer muy grande ser voluntaria para la Fiesta Anual para Compartir pues mi esposo y mi hija siempre me acompañan sirviendo comidas y bebidas.

Ya sea donando parte de tu tiempo o para disfrutar de una comida caliente, ¡esperamos contar contigo!

Tamara K. Jones, es gerente de Asuntos Públicos de H-E-B en el Centro de Texas.

The 2009 Pioneer Award

2009-11-23T10:45:00.002-06:00

United Way's Emily DeMaria and PeopleFund's Tanya Ladha receive the 2009 Pioneer Award from the FDIC’s Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) for their work on moving Bank On Central Texas forward. Bank On Central Texas is a community initiative led by United Way and PeopleFund to bring together banks, credit unions, financial services providers, government, private sector, community organizations, and nonprofits to bring more people into the financial mainstream. Click here to learn more about Bank On Central Texas.

The South Texas AEI presented five awards this year to members who through their actions and career work exemplify the group and individual goals of the AEI. The efforts of these individuals were recognized by previous Pioneer Award winners. The Pioneer Award is given to active AEI members who are committed to helping people make better financial decisions and enter the financial mainstream.

AEI is the FDIC's national initiative to establish broad-based coalitions of financial institutions, community-based organizations and other partners in several markets across the country to bring all unbanked and underserved populations into the financial mainstream. Their focus is on expanding basic retail financial services for underserved populations, including savings accounts, affordable remittance products, small-dollar loan programs, targeted financial education programs, alternative delivery channels and other asset-building programs.

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

2009-11-19T13:43:00.006-06:00

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!

2009-11-18T14:45:00.001-06:00

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

2009-10-29T20:18:00.006-05:00

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

2009-10-19T16:24:00.006-05:00

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

2009-10-06T11:56:00.001-05:00

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

2009-09-18T13:56:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-09-14T10:33:00.006-05:00

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!

2009-09-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-09-01T15:31:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-26T14:22:00.005-05:00

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.

Your Baby Is Smarter Than You Think

2009-08-20T10:27:00.002-05:00

A recent article in the NY Times provides a refreshing look at how children under the age of five learn. It's no surprise to our Success By 6 supporters that "babies and very young children know, observe, explore, imagine and learn more than we would ever have thought possible," but the article also underscores the importance of developing pre-K programs that aren't loaded with focused, planned learning and results-based testing.

This approach may work for children over the age of 5 or so. But babies and very young children are terrible at planning and aiming for precise goals. When we say that preschoolers can’t pay attention, we really mean that they can’t not pay attention: they have trouble focusing on just one event and shutting out all the rest. This has led us to underestimate babies in the past. But the new research tells us that babies can be rational without being goal-oriented.

Want to learn more about what United Way and Success By 6 are doing to ensure that Central Texas kids are ready for their first day of school? Go to unitedwaycapitalarea.org/sb6

United We Serve - Austin Activities: Volunteer Leader Training & 1 Hour for Kids

2009-08-14T13:50:00.004-05:00

Hi there. I wanted to let todos know about our United We Serve – Austin activities. All projects & trainings are open to volunteers, nonprofits & community members. Hope you can join us!

Volunteer Project Leader Training – Equipping citizens to lead & organize volunteer projects

Tuesday, August 18 from 6:00 – 8:30pm

Tuesday, August 25 from 6:00 – 8:30pm

1 Hour for Kids Information Session – The most important hour you’ll spend all week

Wednesday, August 19 from 6:00 - 7:00pm

Wednesday, August 26 from 6:00 – 7:00pm

You can also view all our trainings and projects on our website at www.handsoncentraltexas.org.

1 Hour for Kids Information Sessions

2009-08-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

The goal of 1 Hour For Kids is to recruit 400 new volunteers to be mentors or tutors for Austin/Manor ISD middle school students. In this information session, you will learn how volunteering for just one hour a week to mentor or tutor a kid makes all the difference in the world!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
6:00PM - 7:00PM

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
6:00PM - 7:00PM

To learn more and sign up, go to the Hands On Central Texas website.

Hands On Central Texas launches United We Serve - Austin

2009-08-07T13:25:00.004-05:00

Join us for United We Serve - Austin!

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have announced a nationwide service initiative, United We Serve, spanning 81 days, culminating with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. These 81 days will be the beginning of a sustained, collaborative, and focused effort to meet community needs and make service a way of life for all Americans.

These 81 days will be the beginning of a sustained, collaborative, and focused effort to meet community needs and make service a way of life for all Americans.

Hands On Central Texas & United Way Capital Area, in partnership with the OneStar Foundation, UT Volunteer & Service Learning Center, Keep Austin Beautiful, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, College Forward, UCP Texas & Texas Campus Compact are answering the President’s call to service with United We Serve - Austin!

In these tough economic times, we’re facing increasing demands for services, and we need volunteers to help fill this growing need, now more than ever. We are pleased to participate in United We Serve and thank the President for making this call to service this summer and beyond.

You can answer the call too. Sign up for volunteer projects & opportunities, organize and lead projects in your neighborhood, attend our Volunteer Leader trainings, 1 Hour for Kids information sessions, Hands On Innovation Workshops or volunteer for Day of Caring on September 11 to close off the United We Serve - Austin campaign.

To answer the call or to find out more about United We Serve – Austin, go to www.handsoncentraltexas.org.

United We Serve – Austin activities include

Volunteer Projects: Cleaning Lady Bird Lake, School revitalizing, Gardening & landscaping, Mentoring & Tutoring, & over 30 projects on UWs Day of Caring on September 11
Volunteer Leader Training – Equipping citizens to lead and organize neighborhood volunteer projects
Information Sessions: 1 Hour for Kids – The most important hour you’ll spend all week
Hands On Innovation Workshops: Community Engagement Toolbox and Social Innovation: Creating innovative partnerships with businesses and nonprofits

Si Se Puede!

Mando

Director, Community Engagement

Hands On Central Texas - United Way Capital Area

YLS Kickball Tournament--Kickoff into Mentoring

2009-07-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone to came out for Kickball!

It was a great day! We recruited over 30 mentors and showcased some serious athletic ability.

Check out our photo set on Flickr:

Were you there? Leave a note on our Facebook Wall.

It's not too late to become a mentor! Check out 1hourforkids.org for all the details.

United Way & Greenlights Partner to Survey Local NonProfits

2009-07-27T13:44:00.004-05:00

Today we announced a new partnership with Greenlights for Nonprofit Success to survey Central Texas nonprofit organizations.

Clearly the recession is having an impact on local nonprofits, with this study, we hope to better understand exactly what that impact is, and hopefully attract more investment and resources for the whole sector.

The survey is open now until Aug 7, is anonymous, and the responses will be aggregated and made available for anyone to use.

The survey invitation was sent to over 1,100 Executive Directors this morning. If your organization would like to participate, please drop an email to Kim at wilsonk@greenlights.org and she will be able to send you the survey link.

2009 "Lights. Camera. Help." Selections Announced

2009-07-20T11:15:00.001-05:00

The Lights. Camera. Help. team has announced the 19 finalist videos for their upcoming non-profit film festival. Our Give 5 video, created for us by our friends at Overflow Creative, is one of them:

Learning about Lights. Camera. Help. for the first time? Check out this cool video about the festival:

Profiles in Power & Women of Influence

2009-07-20T08:35:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to our Interim President Debbie Bresette! She's a nominee finalist for the Austin Business Journal's Profiles in Power & Women of Influence awards. The ABJ describes its criteria for picking nominees as:

"We identify the top Central Texas women industry leaders who have forged their own path and developed their own leadership principles. These women have something to offer the next generation of women leaders. They have made a difference in their communities, blazed new trails and are leaving a mark on Central Texas business."

Learn more about the awards and register to attend the event here.

Call for Volunteer Projects for Day of Caring

2009-07-17T12:28:00.006-05:00

Dear Community Partners,

Hands On Central Texas, a program of United Way Capital Area, invites you to submit a volunteer project for the United Way Fall Day of Caring, presented by Freescale Semiconductor.

United Way Day of Caring is a community-wide event that addresses critical social issues through meaningful volunteer action. Each year, more than 1,500 corporate & community volunteers lend a hand in tackling issues such as poverty, education and health -- doing everything from building homes to delivering meals to beautifying community parks.

On Friday, September 11, 2009, we will host multiple volunteer projects centered around the United Way & Hands On focus areas: Education, Financial Stability, Health & Environment. If your organization could benefit from the inspired actions of a group of coordinated volunteers, we encourage you to submit a volunteer project. We'll work on recruiting the volunteers for your Day of Caring project and help with the logistics. And when the Fall Day of Caring arrives, you'll be amazed at what these volunteers accomplish in just a few hours!

This year, as we come together as a community for this important day of service, we’ll also kick off the annual UWCA campaign. So join us as we start the day with the United Way Day of Caring Kickoff, where volunteers will hear guest speakers and learn about the impact they’re making in the community, enjoy breakfast, meet other volunteers, and check-in for their projects.

United Way Day of Caring
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 8:30 - 9:45 am
Location: The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W. Riverside Drive

Volunteer Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 am
Kickoff Program Start Time: 9:00 am
Projects Start Time: 10:00 am

Project Deadline:
Click here to download the instructions on how to post your projects on Hands On Tech (HOT). All volunteer projects should be registered on the Hands On Central Texas website - www.handsoncentraltexas.org. Please print out the instructions, review and register your project(s).

Project Registration deadline is
Friday, July 31, 2009.

Event Logistics: All volunteer projects should run from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm or until the project is finished. Hands On Central Texas will be hosting a Day of Caring Kickoff from 8:30 am - 9:45 am. Volunteers will check-in for their projects at the Kickoff. Please inform your volunteers about the Kickoff and volunteer check-in. Agency coordinators are invited to attend as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance to post your volunteer project.

Thank you for participating!

Mando
Director, Community Engagement
Hands On Central Texas

Send us your Live United Travel Shots

2009-07-07T14:18:00.002-05:00

Traveling somewhere exotic this summer...Peru? Morocco? El Paso? Don't forget to pack your Live United t-shirt, and show your support with a Live United Travel Shot!
Send us the best vacation pictures of you, your family and friends posing in the Live United t-shirt to:

web@unitedwaycapitalarea.org

...and we'll feature them in upcoming newsletters!

Support United Way Capital Area's programs, and get your Live United t-shirt online at our website. For a $20 donation, you can have your own Live United t-shirt. They are available now in 5 sizes.

Why should we invest in Early Childhood Education?

2009-07-02T09:22:00.000-05:00

City administrative offices to close for Independence Day

2009-06-30T13:53:00.002-05:00

City of Austin administrative offices and other municipal facilities will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.

Closures include City Council offices, the Town Lake Animal Center, all recreation and senior centers, clinics, cultural centers and museums. The First Workers Day Labor Center will also be closed. Normal business hours will resume Monday, July 6.

Austin Public Library facilities will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4. If a library facility is regularly open on a Sunday, it will be open on Sunday, July 5.

Garbage, recycling and yard trimmings collection for City of Austin Solid Waste Services customers will remain the same. If your regular collection date is scheduled for Friday, July 3, it will be picked up on Friday. However, the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility will be closed Saturday, July 4.

City of Austin aquatic facilities will be open their regular schedule on Independence Day. Check www.cityofaustin.org/parks/aquatics.htm for pool hours. The Austin Nature and Science Center will be open during its normal business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3, but will be closed Saturday, July 4.

Several streets will be closed for events during Independence Day weekend:

Cesar Chavez Street from MoPac Expressway to Barton Springs Road at Auditorium Shores will be partially closed from 10 a.m. to midnight, July 4.
Several blocks downtown, close to Lady Bird Lake will also be closed, as well as access to neighborhood streets along Barton Springs Road.
For precise locations and a map of all Fourth of July street closures, visit:
www.cityofaustin.org/events/city_calendar.cfm?action=eventdetail&event_id=37356

Vivir Unidos - What a Party!

2009-06-26T12:47:00.004-05:00

So here's the wrap on our Vivir Unidos volunteer fair for Hispanics down at the beautiful MACC in Austin.

We had over 300 folks attend, delicious tasty food, dancing, music, Univision 62, Ahora Si, the Austin American Statesman, Giving City magazine and about 30 nonprofits represented.

The vibe was good, well, APD Chief Art Acevedo was there to ensure no-one got out of hand, and everyone seemed to get the message of the night: get involved. Si se puede. Vivir Unidos

We've posted our photos here on Flickr.

Many thanks to everyone who participated and sponsored Vivir Unidos!

If you were there, please leave us a comment and/or send us any pictures you'd like to share.

You can VIVIR UNIDOS today at the MACC!

2009-06-18T08:00:00.004-05:00

Join us today to LIVE UNITED with Hispanic communities and all communities! Today, we're hosting VIVIR UNIDOS at the MACC at 6pm. It's a great way to find out how you can make a difference in the community & connect with the Latino community.

Here’s what we have in store…

Free VIVIR UNIDOS t-shirts

Feria de los Voluntarios – Nonprofit Volunteer Fair

VIVIR UNIDOS photo booth

A Taste of Latinoamerica – Food from Casa Colombia , Buenos Aries Café, Hecho en Mexico y mas!

La Esquina de HEB – Loteria games, sandias (watermelon slices) & agua fresca

St. Edward’s University Ballet Folklorico & Salsa Performance by Jason Lozada and Rita Catriotta

Door Prizes donated by National Instruments, Catholic Charities, Bucca de Beppo y mas!

Muy popular public figures: Univision TV’s Leslie Montoya, ACM Mike Martinez & Austin’s favorite Police Chief, Art Acevedo!

All pact in 2 ½ hours of fun!

See you today at 6pm at the MACC!

Adelante!

Mando

Director, Hands On Central Texas

United Way Capital Area

armando.rayo@unitedwaycapitalarea.org

512-785-0447

VIVIR UNIDOS/LIVE UNITED: Connecting & Understanding Latino Communities

2009-06-15T10:55:00.001-05:00

Nonprofits,

Interested in connecting with Latinos? Want them to serve on your board or open doors into the different segments of the fastest growing population in the U.S.? You can start by hosting a booth at our VIVIR UNIDOS event this week or by checking out our VIVIR UNIDOS: Connecting & Understanding Latino Communities video. Last week, I met with young Hispanic professionals and asked them what it takes for them to volunteer at a nonprofit and how to connect with the Hispanic community. This is what they had to say...

LIVE UNITED: Connecting & Understanding Latino Communities from elmundodemando on Vimeo.

If your nonprofit is interested in booth space at our Feria de los Voluntarios at VIVIR UNIDOS, please contact Jerry Ronquillo at jerry.ronquillo@unitedwaycapitalarea.org or 512.323.5566 x55029.

Adelante!
Mando

United Way and IBM's World Community Grid

2009-06-15T10:46:00.002-05:00

Since United Way Capital Area's World Community Grid team was formed on July 13, 2005, and began assisting the IBM World Community Grid, our organization has "donated" ten years and 108 days of computer run time to various research projects.

Each day, United Way Capital Area PCs generate more than 2.5 days' worth of computing time!

IBM's World Community Grid utilizes personal computers around the world, compressing thousands of years of computer time. UTMB researchers are using the grid to identify chemical compounds--a process that can speed drug development.

Learn more, and register your computer with the Grid:
http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/

Financial Stability Advocacy -- $25 million JET Fund needs Perry signature

2009-06-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

Last May, we wrote about the Financial Stability advocacy efforts of our friends at Austin Interfaith. They worked this legislative session to get bills passed and signed that will help keep our economy here in Central Texas strong.

Now the three bills that would create the “Jobs for Education for Texas” (JET) Fund are awaiting Gov. Perry's signature. From the Statesman's POSTCARDS blog:

Capital IDEA, the Austin branch, has seen a surge in activity during the past 10 months, organizers said. At a program orientation last month, some 150 of the city’s jobless crammed into the auditorium of an East Austin church.

About 650 use the highly selective program a year to obtain a job in nursing, technology or green energy, said Doug Greco, lead organizer for Austin Interfaith. If Perry approves the fund, Capital IDEA could handle about 300 more students a year, he said.

VIVIR UNIDOS - You're invited to LIVE UNITED! (video)

2009-06-12T07:55:00.003-05:00

So what is this VIVIR UNIDOS event? Well, it's part of our cultural engagement programming; it's a volunteer fair for Latinos; it's a way to connect with Hispanic communities; it's a celebration! Need more details? Check it this fun preview video!

Also, check out my interview with GivingCity which give you mas details!

Adelante!
Mando

How I LIVE UNITED: Alex Valdez

2009-06-11T11:47:00.003-05:00

As we gear up for our VIVIR UNIDOS event next week, we'll be highlighting Latinos doing good in Central Texas. There are lots of Latinos active in our community and we know they many talents to contribute! Thanks to Alex Valdez for championing Latino leadership and United Way!

How I LIVE UNITED: Linda Medina

2009-06-10T08:02:00.004-05:00

I was able to capture some magic this week! I did a video shoot with Hispanic professionals & asked them why they have the ganas to VIVIR UNIDOS. A big thank you to Linda Medina with the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation for telling us how she LIVES UNITED! Check out what she has to say...

How I LIVE UNITED: Linda Medina from elmundodemando on Vimeo.

Don't forget to RSVP for next Thursday's VIVIR UNIDOS!

Mando

The Hispanic Community Engagement Advisory Board

2009-06-08T11:47:00.016-05:00

We're less than 2 weeks away from VIVIR UNIDOS (June 18), our community engagement event that will connect Hispanic communities with nonprofits and doing good in Central Texas! In order for any nonprofit, initiative or community event to be successful, it needs community support and buy-in; they have to believe in the goals and mission. Well, we did our homework and that's exactly who we have on our Hispanic Community Engagement Advisory Board. I tell you, it is one of the most diverse groups coming from the Hispanic community. We were able to recruit the usual suspects to the non-usual to the ones that don't necessarily get asked to serve. And really, that's the main focus of the board - To VIVIR UNIDOS - LIVE UNITED. The (40 member strong) board is chaired by Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez and the board's role is to provide guidance, counsel, feedback & direction to Hands On Central Texas & United Way on engagement strategies as it pertains to the Hispanic communities. I for one, am excited about our engagement with this board and even more on the work that is ahead of us. As my abuelita used to say, "Siempre para adelante, nunca para atras!"

2009 Hispanic Community Engagement Advisory Board Roster

Mike Martinez, Austin City Council (Chair)
Art Acevedo, Austin Police Department
Janis Guerrero, Executive Director for Planning and Community Relations, AISD
David Escamilla, Travis County District Attorney
Linda Medina, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation & Founder, Young Hispanic Professional Austin Association
Sandy Alcala, Con Mi Madre
Mark Williams, Austin ISD Board of Trustees
Peggy Vasquez, HISOPANIC TODAY "LIVE" TV Show
Rita Gonzales-Garza , LULAC District VII
Dolores Ortega-Carter, Travis County Treasurer
Claudia Kramer-Santamaria, Supervisor of Parent Programs for AISD
Perla Cavazos, Community Leader
Lori Moya, Austin ISD Board of Trustees
Vanessa Sarria, CAN Executive Director
Monica Pinon, TDI Staff Attorney, Financial Counsel
Monica Williams, GivingCity
Mateo Esquibel, City of Austin
Javier Valdez, President, Young Hispanic Professional Austin Association
Tommy Darwin, The University of Texas at Austin Division of Diversity and Community Engagement
Cynthia Colbert, Catholic Charities of Central Texas
Jose Velasquez, American Bank Of Commerce
Alfredo Santos, La Voz de AUSTIN
Donato Rodriguez, City of Austin
Barbra Boeta, People Fund
Laura Garcia , Community Leader
Alfredo Sarria, Austin Energy
Priscilla Guajardo Cortez, FuturoFund
Sebastian Puente, Cultural Strategies, Inc.
Juan Tornoe, Hispanic Trending, Cultural Strategies, Inc.
Cristina Tzintzun, Workers Defense Project
Jose Martinez, Strategic Planning/Program Management/Facilitation
Oné Musel-Gilley, Visibly PR, RiverCity Youth Foundation
Victor Saenz, Professor, UT College of Education
Paul Saldaña, Adelante Solutions
Oliver Bernstein, National Sierra Club
Monica Sanchez, Community Advocate
Annabelle Arteaga, Community Advocate
Adriana Argaiz, Mexican Consulate

What do you think? Anyone missing? Let us know so we can get them connected with our board!

Mando
Director, Hands On Central Texas

P.S. Don't forget to RSVP for Vivir Unidos!

Need Your Help - Austin 3rd Least Prepared City for Digital TV Conversion on June 12th

2009-06-08T10:01:00.001-05:00

From Community Action Network's newsletter:
On Friday, June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations will cease "analog" transmissions and broadcast only a "digital" television signal. This affects all households that receive over-the-air television via rabbit ears or rooftop antenna.

Recent Nielsen statistics show that Austin is the third least prepared city in the nation. This means over 30,000 Central Texas households could be at risk to lose television reception. The risk is most concentrated in low-income, senior, and non-English-speaking households. This is a serious public safety matter. Television remains the most widely used resource for important news and information, such as current weather conditions.

You can help by informing the public of their options and the need to take action. Older televisions can receive digital signals with the addition of a low-cost digital converter box. Coupons are available from the federal government to offset most of the cost of the converter box. Click here for coupon information.

The City of Austin is sponsoring a free DTV Walk-In Help Clinic through June 12 at the DeWitty Job Training and Employment Center, 2209 Rosewood Avenue, Suite 210. Clinic hours and additional information are available here.

Additional resources to help people with the DTV transition:
- Information on the DTV transition: http://www.dtv.gov/
- FCC hotline for questions & assistance: 1-888-225-5322
- Local Spanish-language assistance: 1-877-625-2591

For further information, please contact Chip Rosenthal at chip@unicom.com or 512-573-5174.

5 Reasons Why We Still Need United Way

2009-06-08T09:57:00.000-05:00

From GivingCity Magazine's blog:

Collaborations like Success By 6, which brings together more than 30 local nonprofits, community leaders, and concerned businesses to build more quality into the network of early childhood centers. SB6 has helped more than double the number of early childhood centers with a quality rating in two years.
Their 24×7 helpline 2-1-1 Texas, which fielded almost 200,000 calls last year from Central Texans in need of assistance, connecting them with help, whether with utility bills, finding a local food bank to escaping Hurricane Ike.

Click here to read the rest.

Film festival lights the way for nonprofit and grassroots films

2009-06-08T09:52:00.003-05:00

From INSITE Magazine:

Film festival lights the way for nonprofit and grassroots films

On Thursday, April 30, the Reel-to-Reality opening event officially began the festival’s submissions process. Representatives from the American Cancer Society, United Way, Capital Area Food Bank and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary discussed the value of film and video in today’s nonprofit community, showed trailers of their films and formally submitted them to the festival.

“As the saying goes, a picture speaks 1,000 words, so we really believe that video is the way of the future,” said United Way representative John Turner before showing his film that advocates the importance of volunteering.

Click here to read the entire story.

Introducing "1 Hour For Kids," the most important hour you'll spend all week.

2009-06-04T13:27:00.002-05:00

1 Hour For Kids is a true collaborative, convened and led by United Way Capital Area and supported by the Austin Independent School District, the Manor Independent School District, the E3 Alliance and the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

For the first time ever, United Way will collect objective results that are measured consistently across programs, and aligned with the regional strategic plan known as The Blueprint for Educational Change.™

It's no secret that we accomplish more by working together. Won't you join us?

Vivir Unidos - Thursday, June 18, 2009

2009-06-04T13:24:00.001-05:00

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters Conference

2009-06-03T10:49:00.004-05:00

The 211 United Way Capital Area Helpline participated in the 2009 Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (TXVOAD) training conference. It was held at the AT&T Conference Center and Hotel in Austin, Texas, June 1st &2nd. The workshops and training programs focused on increasing the level of preparedness, response, and recovery operations in Texas. There were voluntary organizations, civic and community service groups, state agencies, and emergency management officials in attendance. The goal was to improve the coordination and communication between voluntary disaster relief organizations, not only during the 2009 hurricane season, but for other disaster events in Texas.

211 Co-Presented with Mary Mays, Emergency Management Coordinator from the Health and Human Service Commissions' (HHSC) Texas Information Referral Network (TIRN) on 211's role state wide during disaster.

211 also participated in other workshops. Such as, 2008 Hurricane Season Lessons learned presented by Michael Harmon, Field response Administrator Governor's Division of Emergency Management, and Pandemic Flu: Preparing Your Organization for Potential Impact This Fall presented by Cynthia Morgan PhD, RN, Community Preparedness Section Department of State Health Services, to name a few.

If you would like to see how you can become involved in disaster preparedness please contact Jerry Ronquillo, Community Outreach Coordinator with the 211 Texas United Way Capital Area Helpline at 512-323-5566 x55029.

E3 Alliance's Blueprint for Educational Change

2009-06-02T11:32:00.001-05:00

John Sharp and other Central Texas leaders talk about E3 Alliance's Blueprint for Educational Change. The Blueprint is Central Texas' commitment to building the most successful educational pipeline in the country.

DADS and 2-1-1 - Caregiving means caring every day.

2009-06-02T11:11:00.003-05:00

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and Capital Metro have compiled a list of services and supports that are available for family caregivers through the Texas Department of Aging and DADS.

Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-252-9240

or visit www.dads.state.tx.us/care

Pre-K Advocacy efforts are paying off!

2009-05-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

We just received some wonderful news from our friends at TECEC:

Your hard work has paid off. Yesterday at 11:50 PM, the Texas Senate approved HB 130, 26-5, meaning that full-day high-quality pre-k has officially passed the 81st Texas Legislature! We only have one more step to go. Now it must clear Governor Rick Perry’s desk before it becomes law. The Governor has until June 21, 2009 to veto or sign a bill into law. It is important that we act now to get the message to the Governor that high-quality pre-k is important to Texans.

Only an organized and loud message to the Governor can ensure that HB 130 successfully passes the Governor’s desk. Please take a few moments to send him a message today!

Click here to send the Governor this important message.

Give5 Memorial Day -- where did you shop/eat?

2009-05-28T14:52:00.001-05:00

It was great to see bloggers and social media enthusiasts talk up the Give5 campaign. People really got behind it and sent it out via their extensive networks. Give5 supporters included Addie Broyles, food writer from the Austin American-Statesman, Jenna Noel, associate publisher from Edible Austin, Mike Sutter, food critic from the Austin American-Statesman, Jodi Bart from Tasty Touring and Monica Williams from Giving City Magazine.

--Mando

How did you Give5 this past Memorial Day weekend?

Were you out of town, and missed out on the fun? Head on over to Plucker's tonight -- Thursday, May 28th, 6-9pm - Pluckers Wing Bar/KGSR Party with a Purpose - 3909 S. Lamar
Join Pluckers and KGSR for one crazy fun party, with live music by Marshall Ford Swing Band, drink specials and 20% of food sales donated to United Way Capital Area. Be sure to mention UWCA when you attend this party with a purpose!

Help Local Seniors at AGE SAFE WEEK June 3-10, 2009

2009-05-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

Our friends at AGE of Austin are committed to ensuring that older adults with limited resources live as independently as possible in a safe and health environment.

They write to let us know that:

Every 18 seconds someone aged 65+ is treated in the emergency department for a fall*
Every 35 minutes a senior dies as a result of injuries sustained in a fall*
The average health care cost of a fall injury is $19,440, excluding doctor's services*

While one in three older adults falls each year, many of these accidents are preventable through home modifications, fall prevention training, and the use of durable medical equipment.

Join AGE in raising awareness of senior safety by donating cash or equipment to our free Durable Medical Equipment lending program. Simple items such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches, and canes are life-enhancing pieces of equipment that empowers seniors to live safely in their homes.

In 2008, AGE provided over 700 pieces of equipment at no charge to low-income seniors or disabled Central Texans. Unfortunately, our waiting list is now longer than ever and we need your help.

Over 75 local seniors are currently on the waiting list!

On Wednesday, June 3rd, 8am-6pm, please come by the historic AGE building (3710 Cedar Street) to drop off durable medical equipment or to make a donation. In return, you'll receive a sweet treat, a donation receipt, and "Words of Wisdom", words of advice written by seniors who would like to share their wisdom with you.

To learn more, visit the AGE of Austin website:

http://ageofaustin.org/

Give5 with Blue Star Caféteria

2009-05-22T16:40:00.001-05:00

If you haven't been there, you'll discover that Blue Star Caféteria has a cool interior, high-quality ingredients, and new twists on great, traditional comfort food dishes.

Enjoy their comfort cuisine for lunch, brunch or dinner at Blue Star Cafeteria during the entire weekend (May 23-25) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Get your gelato at Paciugo & Give5

2009-05-22T15:22:00.000-05:00

Gelato: this delightful treat is 80 percent less fat than American ice cream. It has a velvety texture that melts in your mouth without leaving any unpleasant coating.

That sounds like bliss...

When you enjoy gelato any time of day during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) at Paciugo and 5% of the proceeds will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Additionally, be sure to stop by from 3-5pm on Monday, May 25th for an exclusive gelato tasting specifically for Give5 attendees.

Giving 5 at The Hub

2009-05-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

Fatty or Flatty?!? Either choice of burger will be a great way to Give5, when you dine at The Hub during the entire weekend (May 23-25).

5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

If you are learning about Give5 for the first time, check out give5centraltexas.org for a coupon book that contains all of the events and opportunities to give back this Memorial Day Weekend.

Give5 at a FREE wine tasting...

2009-05-22T11:44:00.002-05:00

You'll want to stop by House Wine (408 Josephine Street) tomorrow evening, if you hadn't planned to already.

Give5 attendees be sure to RSVP for an exclusive FREE wine tasting on May 23rd from 6-8pm.

Additionally shop all weekend and 5% of your proceeds will be donated back to United Way Capital Area. Mention Give5 and receive 50% off the Tuscan Olive Three Cheese spread with crackers.

Free Wine Tasting, 6-8pm, House Wine

An exclusive event for Give5 attendees…check out the latest specials and deals and also receive 50% off the Tuscan Olive Three Cheese spread with crackers.

Santa Rita Cantina is Giving 5

2009-05-22T11:17:00.003-05:00

What would a Memorial Day Weekend fundraiser be without a stop for some Tex Mex?

Stop by Santa Rita Cantina during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25)
and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Touch of Sass

2009-05-22T09:35:00.002-05:00

Add a little "sass" to your ensemble, and help a great cause!

Mention Give5 when you shop for accessories at Touch of Sass, and 5% of your entire purchase from May 23-24th (Touch of Sass is closed Monday, May 25th) will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Sunday, May 24th, 2-4pm

Don’t miss out on your chance to win a gift certificate package for dinner and a massage at the Four Seasons when you shop at Touch of Sass during this exclusive event for Give5 attendees!

Check out the coupon book at give5centraltexas.org for more great ways to give back over Memorial Day Weekend, and don't forget to Give $5! It's secure, quick and easy!

Show how you Give5 by eating lots of Tiff's Treats

2009-05-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

Gift Card Giveaway – make a donation to UWCA May 22-25 and you may win a Tiff’s Treats Gift Card! Limited quantity available each day so donate now. Winners will be announced Tuesday, May 26th

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with the winners of the 2008 Austin Chronicle Sweets/Goodies Readers Poll.

Order your favorite Tiff's Treats cookies during Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd-25th) and 5% of the proceeds will be donated to the United Way Capital Area.

Mention coupon code "Give5" when ordering and receive 15% off any order!

Beyond Tradition

2009-05-21T14:15:00.002-05:00

Shop at this chic 2nd Street store any time during Memorial Day weekend for jewelry and accessories as unique as Austin, and 5% of the proceeds of your purchases will be donated to UWCA.

Additionally, be sure to stop by on Monday, May 25th from 2-4pm during the exclusive Give5 2nd Street Block Party and earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from UCHI!

Give5 and Live United at Barnes & Noble Booksellers

2009-05-21T13:04:00.003-05:00

When you're doing your bookstore browsing and shopping this weekend, don't forget to grab the Barnes & Noble Give5 voucher (found inside our coupon book at give5centraltexas.org)--or mention United Way’s Give5 program at check-out.

At least 10% of your total sale will be donated by Barnes & Noble to United Way during the entire weekend (May 23-25th.)

Additionally, look for the Women's Giving Network and Success by 6 book fair displays and purchase books from the wish list to be donated back to United Way's education programs.

Give5...what if there was a small way to make a big difference?

2009-05-21T11:47:00.001-05:00

A big thank you to Overflow Creative for producing our Give5 PSA, and Grande Communications for providing the airtime to broadcast it.

Learn more about how you can make a difference at give5united.org

Chocolate, Wine, and Giving 5...

2009-05-20T17:08:00.002-05:00

Mmmm. Who doesn't love chocolate? Eating chocolate, drinking wine, doing good for the community. Does it get any better than that?

Check out the selection of scrumptious desserts at Viva Chocolato and 15% of your purchase during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) will be donated back to UWCA.

Additionally, receive a FREE $10 gift card with any purchase of $25 or more.

And, on Saturday, May 23rd, be sure to check out Viva Chocolato's Chocolate Party, from 2-4pm, $20 per person, Viva Chocolato!

Attend an exclusive Chocolate/Wine Tasting or Fondue Party at Viva Chocolato! specifically for Give5 attendees…

Three 2oz. pours of three different wines are perfectly paired with three different Artisan Chocolate Truffles, and described by VC’s Chocolate Guide, who will also convey a bit of fascinating chocolate history, amazing health benefit information, and how to pair chocolates with wines.

Or, enjoy VC’s dark or milk chocolate fondue with a variety of fruits and sides. Attendees will also have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to McCormick & Schmick’s Restaurant in the Domain.

Wow. Thank you, Viva Chocolato.

United Way Capital Area Blog

United Way Capital Area Partners with Businesses to Raise $16.5 Million

Celebrating Austin mentors

MLK Day of Service provides more than 7,500 volunteer hours to the community

Mentor Month Spotlight: River City Youth Foundation

Celebrating Austin mentors

Celebrating Austin mentors

President Obama recognizes Mentoring Month

United Way's Fall Day of Caring 2010

Thank You, Samsung.

UWCA and E3 Alliance Work Together To Improve Educational Systems

Rooted in Central Texas

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

"I Live Here, I Give Here" asks: Are our children ready to learn?

From Little Brother to Big Brother

Thanks a Billion, UPS!

Leader Spotlight: 6 Questions for Anne Wingler, Executive Director of Faith Presbyterian Child Development Center

Partnering with the Community

Hurricane Alex Keeps 2-1-1 Texas on Their Toes

President’s Cabinet Experts Make an Impact

United Way & Univision Radio - Bank On Central Texas Launch

Make your Money Count!¡DALE VALOR A TU DINERO!

Photos from the June 1, 2010 Bank On Central Texas Launch at Austin, TX City Hall

Bennu Coffee Lives United May 23-25

Get on the Money Bus

Austinites LIVE UNITED at the United Way Capital Area Spring Day of Caring

Help United Way Capital Area reach its goal!

The 2009 2-1-1 Texas Community Needs and Trends Report is here!

An Exclusive Volunteering Opportunity: 211 Disaster Response Training

LIVE UNITED Film Series introduces panel of Latino Health experts

Live United Film series looks at health and the Hispanic community

2010 Spring Day of Caring Starring: YOU

LIVE UNITED Film Series: Critical Condition: Hector's Story

Day of Caring Profile: Ramping Up to Help the Homebound

2010 United Way Spring Day of Caring Projects Now Available!

Live United Film Series attendees share what they think

LIVE UNITED Film Series -- Watch the promo video

Success By 6 Touchpoints Training

Live United Film Series: It All Adds Up Recap and Photos

LIVE UNITED Film Series: All it takes is a game of UNO

United Way’s 2010 Martin Luther King Day of Service

LIVE UNITED Film Series: Helping Middle School Kids

LIVE UNITED Film Series Panel: Not the usual suspects

Education & LIVE UNITED Film Series: Guest Post by Jason Sabo - United Ways of Texas

RSVP today and don't miss out on MLK Day of Service

President Obama Proclaims January National Mentoring Month

Volunteers showcase the importance of volunteering as a family during United Way’s Family Volunteer Day!

HEB Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner: Volunteering to help feed thousands of Central Texans

The 2009 Pioneer Award

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

1 Hour for Kids Video!

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

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

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

From Birth, Engage Your Child With Talk

It all goes back to middle school

Day of Caring -- Pictures and Thank You!

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

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

New Survey of Nonprofits with Greenlights

Your Baby Is Smarter Than You Think

United We Serve - Austin Activities: Volunteer Leader Training & 1 Hour for Kids

1 Hour for Kids Information Sessions

Hands On Central Texas launches United We Serve - Austin

United We Serve – Austin activities include

YLS Kickball Tournament--Kickoff into Mentoring

United Way & Greenlights Partner to Survey Local NonProfits

2009 "Lights. Camera. Help." Selections Announced

Profiles in Power & Women of Influence

Call for Volunteer Projects for Day of Caring

Project Registration deadline isFriday, July 31, 2009.

Send us your Live United Travel Shots

Why should we invest in Early Childhood Education?

City administrative offices to close for Independence Day

Vivir Unidos - What a Party!

You can VIVIR UNIDOS today at the MACC!

VIVIR UNIDOS/LIVE UNITED: Connecting & Understanding Latino Communities

United Way and IBM's World Community Grid

Financial Stability Advocacy -- $25 million JET Fund needs Perry signature

Project Registration deadline is
Friday, July 31, 2009.