Press Releases

April 10, 2012

Project 25, Home Again’s Frequent User Initiative, Announces Success After One Year of Program
Dramatic Cost Savings of Public Resources

SAN DIEGO (April 10, 2012) – Over the past year, Project 25, Home Again's Frequent User Initiative, provides permanent housing and supportive services to at least 25 of San Diego County’s chronically homeless.¹ Today, Project 25 announced that it has enrolled 35 chronically homeless individuals and permanently housed 30 of them – just over a year into the three-year pilot program. By aiding some of the most frequent users of public resources, the program has already saved taxpayers millions of dollars. read more>>
 

March 16, 2012

United Way of San Diego County Joins Chula Vista and Other Communities Nationwide Committed to Ambitious Plans to Improve Early Literacy
Plans Will Put Chula Vista Students on Track for Reading at Grade-level by End of Third Grade

CHULA VISTA (March 14, 2012) – Spurred by a reading crisis for American students United Way of San Diego County has joined the city of Chula Vista, through the office of Mayor Cheryl Cox, and more than 120 other cities, counties and towns that have submitted ambitious plans to get students on track for grade-level reading by the end of third grade. read more>>

March 14, 2012

Ways To Work Program Helps Struggling Families Retain and Improve Job Status & Offers Taxpayers a Significant Return on Investment
Nonprofit Loan Program Helps Underemployed Families Move Beyond Poverty through Access to Reliable Transportation and Financial Counseling

MILWAUKEE (March 14, 2012) — Data released today by ICF International, a Fairfax, Va.-based consulting group, found that Ways to Work®, a unique Community Development Financial Institution that provides affordable loans to working families with challenging credit histories, provides a strong return on investment and is highly successful in helping underemployed families retain and improve their job status and quality of life. read more>>

February 23, 2012

United Way "Young Parents Program" Empowers Pregnant Teens, Young Adults
Comprehensive Program is First in County

SAN DIEGO (February 23, 2012)— Combating child abuse means reducing the risk of its recurrence. To help stop the cycle of abuse and neglect, United Way of San Diego County has launched the "Young Parent Program," specifically designed to empower new families led by pregnant and parenting teens or young adults to increase the health, safety and well-being of their children. read more >>

February 16, 2012

UWSD helped residents save more than $472,000 on prescriptions in 2011 through a partnership with FamiliWize
41 percent of adults say it's a problem for their family to pay for prescription medications

SAN DIEGO (February 16, 2012)— Thounsand of prescriptions go unfilled simply because they are too expenzive to fill. But free FamilyWize prescription discount cards, provided by United Way of San Diego County, adress this problem. read more >>

February 15, 2012

Halfway There! - United Way of San Diego County and U-T San Diego Have Reached Midpoint,
More than 2,000 San Diegans Pledge to Volunteer During the 2011-12 Academic School Year

SAN DIEGO (February 15, 2012)—"The U-T Volunteer for Education campaign is giving youth the crucial academic support they need to thrive, " said Drew Schlosberg on behalf of U-T San Diego. "Additional volunteer pledges are needed in all academic areas to reach the campaign's goal of mobilizing 4,500 San Diego County residents by June 2012. It's never too late to pledge support." read more >>

February 9, 2012

2-1-1 San Diego Honors United Way of San Diego County,
Local Health and Human Services Hotline Began as Department of United Way 

SAN DIEGO (February 9, 2012)—UWSD joins 2-1-1 San Diego's past honorees such as Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman of the board and CEO of Qualcomm Inc., in being saluted for their leadership and contributions to building a strong San Diego community. read more>>

November 16, 2011

Project 25, Home Again’s Frequent User Initiative,
Announces Program Success; Dramatic Cost Savings of Public Resources

SAN DIEGO (November 16, 2011)—Project 25, Home Again's Frequent User Initiative, provides permanent housing and supportive services to at least 25 of San Diego County’s chronically homeless.1

Today, Project 25 announced that it has enrolled 35 chronically homeless individuals and permanently housed 27 of them – less than a year into the three-year pilot program. By aiding some of the most frequent users of public resources, the program saves taxpayers millions of dollars. read more>>

November 7, 2011

United Way of San Diego County Brings “Bright Futures” to Adults and Kids
SAN DIEGO (Nov. 7, 2011) – Over 30 percent of San Diegans are unable to make ends meet.1

However, such dire financial statistics are not unique to San Diego County. Last week, United Way, TIME magazine, AARP Foundation, the Ford Foundation and others across the country gathered for “Opportunity Nation” to answer the question: “What can we do to restore opportunity in America?” read more>>

September 21, 2011

United Way of San Diego County Announces Annual Community Award Winners
SAN DIEGO (September 21, 2011) – United Way of San Diego County announced its award winners for community leadership and volunteerism during its annual campaign kickoff yesterday at Liberty Station. read more>>

September 15, 2011

Community Volunteer Campaign Enacted to Impact Academic Achievement Throughout San Diego County
New Partnership Encourages Volunteerism During the 2011-12 School Year

SAN DIEGO, CA (Sept. 15, 2011) — To impact academic achievement, The San Diego Union-Tribune, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego County Office of Education are introducing an unprecedented campaign to mobilize 4,500 San Diego County residents to pledge to volunteer with K-12 students.  read more>>

June 21, 2011

"United Way Day of Action" Kicks Off 10,000 Volunteer Challenge
Starting June 21, San Diegans Encouraged to Become Readers, Tutors, Mentors

San Diego, CA (June 21, 2011) — United Way of San Diego County is challenging 10,000 locals to volunteer as readers, tutors and mentors for the county’s youth over the next three years. Volunteer recruitment will officially kick off on June 21, the longest day of the year, as part of the nationwide "United Way Day of Action." United Way is seeking one million volunteers towards its goal of dramatically reducing the country's high school dropout rate by 2018.  read more>>

June 17, 2011

United Way honors Bank of America & U.S. Bank with National Awards
Local banks help improve financial stability across San Diego County

San Diego, CA (June 17, 2011) — United Way Worldwide recently honored Bank of America with the Summit Award and U.S. Bank with the 2011 Spirit of America® Award in recognition of their commitment to improving financial stability in communities across the country. In San Diego, both corporations are known for their support of United Way through employee campaigns and other contributions. read more>>

May 17, 2011

New Report Shows Large Disparities Among San Diego Area Residents in the Areas of Education, Income and Health
Report highlights need for continued work by United Way of San Diego County in these core areas

San Diego, CA (May 17, 2011) – It’s no surprise that some residents of the San Diego area are thriving, while others are merely surviving. But a new report released today provides, for the first time, an easy to understand, composite number that measures the well-being of San Diego residents in the areas of education, income and health. A Portrait of California uses the internationally-recognized Human Development Index to rank how San Diego residents are doing against key benchmarks, broken out by demographic, geographic and other distinctions. read more>>

May 14, 2011

United Way of San Diego County "Voices for the Common Good" Report Finds If We Improve Schools, We Improve Communities

SAN DIEGO (May 14, 2011) – If we improve schools, we improve communities. If we improve communities, we improve schools. This is a key finding in United Way of San Diego County’s education report released today. Titled “Voices for the Common Good: San Diego Speaks Out on Education,” the report is a comprehensive compilation of everyday San Diegans’ opinions and aspirations for their communities, for education and the challenges they see in helping our children reach their full potential. read more>>

April 25, 2011

Stuff the Bus! Sports Equipment Drive
Donate new sports equipment for foster youth at Westfield Mission Valley mall; Meet Hall of Famer Bill Walton and San Diego Charger #23 Quentin Jammer

SAN DIEGO (April 25, 2011) – United Way of San Diego County hosts its fourth annual “Stuff the Bus!” sports equipment drive for kids in foster care on Saturday, April 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. San Diegans can help stuff a big yellow school bus full of sports gear and meet Hall of Famer and basketball great Bill Walton (Noon–1:00 p.m.) or San Diego Charger Quentin Jammer (1:00–2:00 p.m.). Promises2Kids, founded as the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, will distribute the equipment to more than 40 community-based organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of San Marcos, San Diego Center for Children, and the Monarch School. read more>>
 

April 20, 2011

Project 25, Home Again's Frequent User Initiative Reports Progress in Housing San Diego's Homeless
17 of the Most Frequent Users of Public Resources Enrolled, Four Permanently Housed

SAN DIEGO (April 20, 2011) – The average San Diegan on the Project 25 list cost taxpayers $218,552 in 2010; they had 16 ambulance rides, 17 emergency room visits and 5 inpatient medical stays.  The goal of Project 25, Home Again's Frequent User Initiative, is to dramatically decrease these costs and significantly improve their quality of life.  Today, the program annouces its initial progress, enrolling 17 individuals and permanently housing four people. read more>>

March 17, 2011

United Way Hosts Grantsmanship Course for Nonprofit & Government Grantseekers
Learn proven grantsmanship techniques at the San Diego workshop, May 9-13, 2011

SAN DIEGO (March 17, 2011) – United Way of San Diego County will host a Grantsmanship Training Program May 9-13. The intensive, five-day, hands-on workshop for nonprofit and government grantseekers will lead participants step-by-step through every stage of planning programs, researching funding sources and writing proposals. read more>>

February 4, 2011

“Home Again”: Dramatic Exhibit Showcases the Community Solution to End Chronic Homelessness
United Way of San Diego County Commemorates 90th Anniversary with Photo Installation at NBC Plaza Downtown from February 10 to 28

SAN DIEGO (February 4, 2011) – What does “home” mean to you? To San Diego County’s chronically homeless* men and women it means a stable place to live, where they can receive medical care, overcome mental illness or addiction, prepare for a job and gain financial skills. San Diego’s chronically homeless, who are military veterans, single moms, seniors, young adults and the disabled, are now able to come “Home Again” through the efforts of United Way of San Diego County. read more>>

January 12, 2011

Project 25, Home Again’s Frequent User Initiative, Teams Up with St. Vincent de Paul Village Inc.
Program Will Provide Housing, Supportive Services to 25 Chronically Homeless San Diegans

SAN DIEGO (January 12, 2011) — Home Again, United Way’s campaign to involve the community in ending chronic homelessness* in San Diego County, has announced St. Vincent de Paul Village Inc to manage and oversee Project 25, Home Again’s Frequent User Initiative.
read more>>

November 17, 2010

Plan to End Chronic Homelessness (PTECH) Announces Results of $1.2 Million in Funding

SAN DIEGO (November 17, 2010) Over the past 17 months, 177 chronically homeless San Diegans have found a place that they can call home – permanently. Thousands more have received much-needed medical care, counseling sessions and other supportive services, all as part of San Diego County’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness (PTECH). And as a result, the public is saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. read more>>

October 25, 2010

Tales from the Piggy Bank: “Kids & Money” Outdoor Photo Installation Celebrates 90 Years of United Way
Exhibition Showcases Low-Income, Refugee, At-Risk Kids who have Learned Money Management

SAN DIEGO (October 20, 2010) – What does it feel like to take all your piggy bank pennies and put them in a savings account? To teach your parents about money? To be an entrepreneur at age 12? Children, grades five through 12, who have gone through financial education courses, funded by United Way of San Diego County (UWSD), know what it feels like. These emotions and more are displayed for the public through a dramatic, larger than life photo exhibit, titled “Kids & Money,” part of UWSD’s 90th anniversary celebration.  read more>>

October 6, 2010

United Way Presents First Annual James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award
Mayor Jerry Sanders, United Way of San Diego County Honor Local Leader

SAN DIEGO (October 6, 2010) – The United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) will present its first annual James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award at its Open House and Legacy Recognition Event on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. The award, which will be presented by Mayor Jerry Sanders, honors a local leader who has demonstrated long-lasting, exceptional service to the San Diego community. James (Jim) Mulvaney will be the inaugural recipient of the award, with his wife Ruth accepting the award on his behalf. read more>>

September 15, 2010

United Way of San Diego County Announces 90th Anniversary Celebration
Kickoff Celebration on Tuesday, September 21

SAN DIEGO (September 15, 2010) – Since forming in 1920, United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) has been an agent of change. Yet its role as a community leader in solving health and human services issues has remained unchanged. This year, the organization will mark its 90th anniversary by celebrating the spirit of Living United – engaging San Diegans with the idea that together we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. read more>>

August 18, 2010

Project 25, Home Again’s Frequent User Initiative for the Chronically Homeless
Request for Proposal Seeks Qualified NonProfits to Provide Permanent Housing to 25 Chronically Homeless People

SAN DIEGO (August 18, 2010) — Home Again, United Way of San Diego County’s public engagement campaign to end chronic homelessness in San Diego County, has announced the launch of “Project 25, Home Again’s Frequent User Initiative.” Based on the proven “Housing First” model, Project 25 will provide permanent housing in partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission. read more>>
 
August 10, 2010

Better Dads, Better Kids!
Growing Great Dads: United Way Announces Funding to Empower Fathers
San Diego, CA (August 6, 2010) — United Way of San Diego County announced funding for a new program to empower fathers, Better Dads, Better Kids.  Four local agencies will receive funding to serve low-income Latino fathers, those involved with Child Welfare Services, those who are currently in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility, and fathers in the military. Funded agencies include Healthy Start Military Family Cluster, a program of SAY San Diego; North County Lifeline; Vista Community Clinic; and YMCA of San Diego County. read more>>