FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
August 20, 2021
Quin La Capra, 211 San Diego

Suzy Garcia, PR for United Way of San Diego County

Cash-back tax credits still available to low- to moderate-income families

San Diego – Today, 211 San Diego, United Way of San Diego County, and the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition announced they returned a total of $28,034,865 back to San Diego County individuals and families through federal and state tax refunds.

“Federal and state tax credits can provide much needed financial relief to families still struggling due to COVID-19 or just beginning to recover,” said William York, President & CEO of 211 San Diego. “Thankfully, new and existing tax credits and cash back payments are available to more San Diegans than ever before, but many may not know if they are eligible or how to claim them. We’re proud to work with the EITC Coalition to help spread the word and provide some certainty to hardworking families.”

“Helping San Diegans claim federal and state tax credits they deserve is an important step toward addressing the economic inequality exacerbated by COVID-19,” said Nancy L. Sasaki, President and CEO of United Way of San Diego County. “Financial security is crucial to ending the deep disparities that exist in our communities and aligns with our commitment to address family stability throughout San Diego County. We are proud to have been leading the San Diego EITC Coalition for the past 18+ years to achieve its mission to provide critical tax assistance services that help put local families on the path to stability.”

This tax season, the EITC Coalition completed 29,876 tax returns, which allowed 3,896 filers to claim a total of $6,945,963 from the federal EITC, 5,062 filers to claim a total of $998,857 from the CalEITC, and 3,236 filers to claim a total of $6,416,316 from the Young Child Tax Credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers and families reduce the taxes they owe or increase their refund so they can put more money toward rent, school tuition, utilities, groceries, and other important expenses. Combined with the state CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), taxpayers can receive hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars back on their taxes.

“The hard work of local organizations like 211 San Diego and United Way San Diego bridged the gap for struggling San Diegans who were unaware of the benefits to which they were entitled,” said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52). “These tax credits are proven to make a difference for families and individuals, especially in the midst of a devastating pandemic. We celebrate the Coalition’s accomplishment and honor its dedicated service to those in need.”

This year, Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature expanded the CalEITC and YCTC to all California tax filers, including undocumented Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) filers who meet the other eligibility criteria. The state also announced the new Golden State Stimulus, one-time cash payments available to 2019 CalEITC recipients and ITIN filers this year who meet other eligibility criteria. Taxpayers can claim the EITC up to three years back if they are eligible, but did not originally claim the credit; the Golden State Stimulus is available to qualifying taxpayers who file before October 15, 2021.

“The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is an act of social and economic justice all in one. I was proud to get this legislation passed when I was Speaker of the Assembly in 2015. Since its inception, nearly 1 million working Californians – including members of our military – have received the CalEITC tax credit, totaling $194 million dollars. The financial crisis caused by the pandemic makes it even more important for people to get this additional cash into their wallets and back into our economy,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). “That is why I advocated for an additional $8.1 billion in tax cuts in this year’s state budget in the form of CalEITC & Golden State Stimulus funding, meaning you are eligible for a second stimulus check if you made $75,000 or less in the 2020 tax year. All you have to do is file your tax return. I am grateful for partners like United Way of San Diego and 211 San Diego, who are vital to the success of the CalEITC program.”

“We must continuously seek economic justice and empowerment for working families, and the Earned Income Tax Credit is another way to support the fight against economic injustice,” said Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “I am thankful for 211 San Diego, the United Way of San Diego County, and the Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition for working tirelessly to secure refunds for individuals and families who will put them to good use.”

The EITC Coalition is a body of organizations and providers that are dedicated to providing a clear pathway to tax assistance for families in our community. The Coalition is anchored by a partnership among 211 San Diego, United Way of San Diego County, the IRS, and the County of San Diego.

Individuals and families can call 2-1-1 to see if they qualify for the federal EITC, the CalEITC, the YCTC, and the Golden State Stimulus. If you are eligible for free tax preparation, 211’s Community Connectors can schedule an appointment for you. For more information about available tax credits, visit 211sandiego.org/taxes or call 2-1-1.

About 211 San Diego:
211 San Diego serves as a lifeline connecting San Diegans to more than 6,000 community, health, and disaster support services, 24-hours a day in more than 200 languages, through a simple three-digit number, searchable online database, and online chat. 211’s Community Information Exchange (CIE) technology improves the lives and health outcomes of San Diegans through improved care coordination that unites information across our community providers, making access to services seamless. For more information about 211 San Diego, visit www.211sandiego.org or follow us on Facebook by searching 211 San Diego or on Twitter @211SD.

About United Way of San Diego County:
For 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has aligned with partners to address inequities in the region and help underserved communities. United Way’s specialty lies in identifying sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to better understand root causes and putting impactful solutions into action.

United Way’s work, in partnership with others, uses shared goals, innovation and proven practices to transform the lives of children, young adults and families in the San Diego region. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more and get involved by visiting uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Ann Marie Price / Suzy Garcia
Scatena Daniels
/
619-309-6492 / 702-883-2077
(not for public distribution)

NOTE TO EDITOR: https://bit.ly/3lYImhS
Photos courtesy of United Way of San Diego County.

Public encouraged to purchase new school supplies from the nonprofit’s Amazon school supply wish list throughout the month of August

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 12, 2021) — Local students are gearing up for back to school, but for many families still experiencing the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic it may be difficult to get the supplies they need to start the year off right. To support students most affected by the pandemic as they return to school, United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) will host a month-long virtual back to school drive. The public is encouraged to select, purchase, and donate new school supplies from United Way of San Diego County’s Amazon School Supply Wish List.

From backpacks to markers, notebooks and more, UWSD hopes to collect enough school supplies by Sept. 1 to help set up hundreds of local students and their families for a successful school year.

“Last year, the pandemic disrupted the routines of many families in our community,” says Nancy L. Sasaki, president and CEO, United Way of San Diego County. “From lost wages to health challenges, the economic stability of families everywhere was tested, and educators and parents became equal partners in the difficult work of teaching our youth. Through our back to school drive, we hope to not only relieve our families in need, but also provide equal access to high quality learning opportunities to all students.”

The stakes are high for our students, but we can help them catch up. At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, students of color experienced six to 12 months of COVID-related learning loss, compared to four to eight months for white students. By the fall, students of color were also more likely than their white peers to be learning remotely, and less likely to have live access to teachers and the appropriate technology to log into their learning environment. It is also now predicted that COVID-related cumulative learning loss could be substantial. These numbers exacerbate the already significant educational and opportunity gaps that our diverse students face, resulting in students of color being up to 12 months behind by June 2021.

Additionally, summer reading loss is known to compound over time and high school graduation can be predicted with reasonable accuracy by knowing someone’s reading abilities at the end of third grade. Students who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. “We are focused on ensuring that youth in San Diego County have the equal opportunity to catch up, meet educational milestones, and ultimately graduate high school on time despite the effects of the pandemic,” continued Sasaki.

To ensure a more equitable society where all children have the chance to succeed, UWSD has adopted a new strategy for improving San Diego’s future, “Mind the Gap: EDICT 2030.” EDICT stands for “Ending Disparities In Communities not Thriving.” Through EDICT 2030, UWSD encourages the community to mind the gap by volunteering, getting their companies involved, and donating to help end systemic inequity.

In addition to donating school supplies through the nonprofit’s Amazon Wish List, monetary donations can also be made directly to UWSD to support the organization’s ongoing efforts to ensure students have the tools they need, and the stability at home to succeed in school. UWSD’s virtual back to school drive is sponsored by Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, which is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association. For more information and ways to get involved, visit uwsd.org.

“Virtual Back to School Drive”
Hosted by United Way of San Diego County
Aug. 1-31, 2021
uwsd.org

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
For 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has aligned with partners to address inequities in the region and help underserved communities. United Way’s specialty lies in identifying sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to better understand root causes and putting impactful solutions into action.

United Way’s work, in partnership with others, uses shared goals, innovation and proven practices to transform the lives of children, young adults and families in the San Diego region. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more and get involved by visiting uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Ann Marie Price

Scatena Daniels

EDITOR: To download images, click here.

Photos and assets courtesy of United Way of San Diego County

Program helps community leaders leverage their unique skills, to enhance nonprofit boards in an ever-changing world; March 2021 cohort will focus on Creative Youth Development organizations

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 10, 2021) — During this challenging year, community organizations everywhere have pivoted plans or closed their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, organizations that support Creative Youth Development have seen much change with classrooms going virtual and extracurricular activities not able to resume. From theatre groups to music to dance and many more, arts and culture youth organizations are struggling. Starting March 9 through April 20, United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) in partnership with The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego and sponsored by Clare Rose Foundation, will host a seven-week virtual training cohort for their Board Service Certification Program, and will focus on organizations that work in Creative Youth Development.

Why arts and culture organizations need strong boards

Program participants will not only learn the traditional curriculum, but also learn about the unique opportunities and challenges faced by community organizations that support youth in reaching their full potential through deep arts learning and positive adult mentorships. These organizations work holistically to develop youth and the communities they live in, educate and activate youth voices, provide mental health and wellness services, and fight for racial and social justice through art, music, dance, theater, and much more.

According to University of San Diego‘s 2020 Annual Report: State of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, the effects of the COVID-19 crisis have been more profound in the arts and culture subsector than among other nonprofits. In addition to a reported loss in revenue due to closures and program cancellations, arts and culture organizations have also seen a decline in individual donations. Also, arts and culture organizations have reported a 40 percent decrease in demand for services while 69 percent of human services nonprofits have experienced an increase in demand.

“Clare Rose Foundation strives to build the capacity of Creative Youth Development organizations and their leaders through grantmaking and an array of programs and services,” says Matt D’Arrigo, Director of Creative Youth Development, Clare Rose Foundation. “Strong and diverse boards are critical to an organization’s success in achieving its mission. It’s also one of the hardest capacities to build, especially for small community-based arts organizations. We are honored to partner with UWSD and USD to provide this incredible opportunity for our Creative Youth Development partners in the community.”

Now more than ever, Creative Youth Development organizations are in need of innovative leadership to help advance a strong community. This upcoming cohort will offer an exciting opportunity for current and aspiring board members with a personal interest in the arts to serve targeted nonprofits in need of specific areas of expertise.

Ensuring the success of effective, diverse boards

Effective, diverse boards can strengthen a nonprofit organization in many ways, including providing valuable advice, resources, and community support, and most importantly assistance with fundraising. According to BoardSource, 80 percent of nonprofit board members are White although 80 percent of executives report that diversity is very important to “enhancing the organization’s standing with the general public.” In addition, women comprise only 43 percent of the membership of nonprofit boards, but that statistic drops to 33 percent when considering boards of nonprofits with incomes of $25 million or more.

“For 100 years, our organization has successfully partnered with a wide range of individuals in the private and public sectors, leveraging the time, talent, and treasure of our corporate partners to advance social impact,” says Nancy L. Sasaki, president and CEO, United Way of San Diego County. “We continue to support early childhood and youth education to reduce inequities and ensure all have the same opportunities to succeed. This time, we will develop the capacity and quality of Creative Youth Development organizations in San Diego. It’s no secret that dedicated, diverse community members can provide value and long-lasting change to a nonprofit organization. We are excited to work with local devoted and passionate professionals looking to move arts and culture boards forward.”

The most effective organizations invest in a well-developed board with leaders who are diverse in ethnicity, professional backgrounds, subject matter expertise, and cause area interests. Establishing a board like this shows that the nonprofit values creating an environment of trust, diversity, inclusion, and innovation.

Gain tools to create a more vibrant philanthropic community

Program participants learn vital skills to help them maximize their roles as board members. Not only does the program increase a board member’s impact, but also enhances their leadership skills, helps them learn about effective governance of nonprofits, and gives participants the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals and network with other community leaders. A quality nonprofit board combines its individual members’ unique talents, life experiences, and professional expertise.

“The Board Service Certification Program helped me transition from working in volunteer roles with nonprofits to a leadership role,” says Morgan Johnson,

Associate Vice President of the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning with The University of Arizona Global Campus. “Not only did I develop the competencies needed to step into a board role, but also built more confidence in myself to make a positive and impactful contribution. Following the completion of the program, United Way of San Diego County matched me with the Dreams for Change board of directors, a nonprofit that aligns with my passion, values, and one where my skillset will benefit the needs of the organization. I appreciate the opportunity to continue to learn about how to effectively serve in a board position as things shift and change during this time.”

Since UWSD focuses on aligning community partners and leveraging its corporate partnerships, the organization is well-positioned to pair certified program participants with organizations working in their area of interest that have a need for their areas of expertise. Once participants complete the program, they are awarded with a Nonprofit Board Service Certificate from the University of San Diego and UWSD will work to connect participants with nonprofits in need of board members.

“This innovative program not only helps aspiring board members seeking to advance their nonprofit governance knowledge and leadership skills, but also local organizations looking to recruit dedicated, certified volunteers,” says Laura Deitrick, Ph.D., associate director of The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. “We’re proud to work alongside United Way of San Diego County to connect our program participants with nonprofits working in their area of interest that are also in need of diverse and engaged board members.”

 How to participate in the next cohort

The Nonprofit Board Service Certification cohort will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday morning, and requires a commitment of 2.5 hours per week “in class,” with additional discussions and readings assigned.

The application deadline for the March cohort is Feb. 23. To participate in the upcoming cohort, apply here. Upon acceptance to the program, a $1,000 program fee is due before the first training session.

UWSD works to make sure this program is accessible to all professionals looking to build skills to better the community one board at a time. As such, a select number of scholarships are available.

Potential participants can contact Carlee Chatman at 858-636-4133 or for more information on the Board Service Certification program.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

For 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has aligned with partners to address inequities in the region and help underserved communities. United Way’s specialty lies in identifying sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to better understand root causes and putting impactful solutions into action.

United Way’s work, in partnership with others, uses shared goals, innovation and proven practices to transform the lives of children, young adults and families in the San Diego region. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more and get involved by visiting www.uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Ann Marie Price

Scatena Daniels

EDITOR: To download images, click here.

Photos and assets courtesy of United Way of San Diego County

Local companies and individuals invited to donate new children’s books to help the nonprofit reach its 1,500 collection goal by March 12

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 3, 2021) — To commemorate National Read Across America Day, United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) in partnership with Warwick’s in La Jolla with the support of Holman Enterprises, GEICO, and Noble Street Advisors will host a month long virtual book drive from February 15 through March 12, 2021. Local companies and individuals are encouraged to donate new children’s books to help spark the love of reading in students throughout San Diego County. At the end of the virtual drive, UWSD and Warwick’s hope to collect 1,500 books to increase children’s access to books at home and foster a generation of diverse readers. All books will be donated to San Diego children in need to help enhance their home libraries. The National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day is the nation’s largest celebration of reading, and expects more than 45 million readers, both young and old, to pick up a book and read.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected families experiencing economic hardship, in turn threatening the educational success of children. Whether it’s online or hybrid learning, many families have been forced to adapt to new systems and routines,” says Nancy L. Sasaki, president and CEO, United Way of San Diego County. “Before the pandemic, many San Diego families were already struggling to meet reading requirements due to lack of time and access to resources. We know the difficulties our community is facing when it comes to reading at home. Our virtual book drive will help alleviate the battle parents and students are experiencing by making books available in the home.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 45 percent of San Diego County’s third graders were not reading at grade level, and that was before school closures and virtual learning exacerbated inequitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. On average, students could lose five to nine months of learning by the end of June 2021. Students of color could be six to 12 months behind. While studies show that enhancing a child’s access to books at home has a significant impact on their long-term learning, many students in the San Diego County community do not have enough age-appropriate books in their home libraries. Below is a list of diverse age-appropriate books requested for the UWSD Virtual Book Drive.

“Books have the power to connect us, enlighten us and sweep us away with wonder. In our diverse San Diego community, all children need to see themselves and the richness of their cultures reflected in the stories we share, and give them a glimpse of another person’s circumstances to ultimately build bridges that make our community stronger,” says Stacey Haerr, children’s buyer, Warwick’s. “Read Across America gives Warwick’s and our community an opportunity to celebrate the importance of diverse stories, encouraging children everywhere to dive into books. Put a book in a child’s hand and you’ve opened a gateway to imagination, exploration, and countless possibilities. Who wouldn’t want that?”

Another innovative way the organization fosters literacy is through its “Readers in the Heights” program, where UWSD and its community partners – including City Heights Community Development Corporation, Karen Organization of San Diego, Words Alive, San Diego Council on Literacy, City Heights Weingart Library, Fleet Science Center, and Traveling Stories – collaborate to close learning gaps and provide summer reading opportunities for students and their families. When schools and after-school learning programs moved online, the Readers in the Heights team realized a need to shift its model to keep students excited about reading. Parents of participants reported that, on average, over the course of the Readers in the Heights summer literacy initiative, they read more frequently with their children and for longer periods of time than they do typically. UWSD anticipates that these changes in reading habits will positively impact students’ reading performance over the course of the school year.

In addition to donating a book, financial contributions can also be made directly to UWSD to help the nonprofit support childhood literacy and close learning gaps. Learn more about how to support UWSD’s efforts and its virtual book drive at uwsd.org.

Book List

Picture Books (Ages 2-7)

• All are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold
• We are Water Protectors, Carole Lindstrom
• Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, Derrick Barnes
• Jabari Jumps, Gaia Cornwall
• Ohana Means Family, Ilima Loomis
• My Papi Has a Motorcycle, Isabel Quintero
• The Day You Begin, Jacqueline Woodson
• El Dia En Que Descubres Quien Eres (Spanish), Jacqueline Woodson
• Julian is a Mermaid,Jessica Love
• Eyes that Kiss in the Corners,Joanna Ho
• I Talk like a River, Jordan Scott
• Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon, Kat Khang
• I’m Not a Girl, Maddox Lyons
• Last Stop on Market Street, Matt de la Pena
• Milo Imagines the World, Matt de la Pena
• Ultima Parada de la Calle Market (Spanish), Matt de la Pena
• Most Days, Michael Leannah
• Drawn Together, Minh Le
• Bunheads, Misty Copeland
• I will Dance, Nancy Flood
• Gracias Omu! (Spanish), Oge Mora
• Hike, Pete Oswald
• Magnificent Homespun Brown, Samara Doyon
• Mixed Me, Taye Diggs
• Popo’s Lucky Chinese New Year, Virginia Loh-Hagan
• Dreamers, Yuyi Morales

Middle-Grade Readers (Ages 8-12)

• Amal Unbound, Aisha Saeed
• Refugee, Alan Gratz
• My Brigadista Year, Catherine Paterson
• Kira Kira, Cynthia Kadohata
• Everything Sad is Untrue, Daniel Nayeri
• From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Janae Marks
• New Kid, Jerry Craft
• Birdie and Me, JM Nuanez
• King and the Dragonflies, Kacen Callendar
• Isiaih Dunn is My Hero, Kelly J Baptist
• Tristan Strong, Kwame Mebalia
• Prairie Lotus, Linda Sue Park
• Clean Get Away, Nic Stone
• Yo, Naomi Leon (Spanish), Pam Munoz Ryan
• Mananaland (Spanish), Pam Munoz Ryan
• Ways to make Sunshine, Renee Watson
• Inside Out and Back Again, Thanhha Lai
• The Night Diary, Veera Hiranandani
• When Stars Are Scattered, Victoria Jamieson

Young Adult/Teen (Ages 12-18)

• Concret Rose, Angie Thomas
• Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
• Hora de Brillar (Spanish), Angie Thomas
• Dreadnought, April Daniels
• Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Benjamin Saenez
• Clap When You Land, Elizabeth Acevedo
• The Poet X, Elizabeth Acevedo
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Emily Danforth
• They Called Us Enemy, George Takei
• From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun, Jacqueline Woodson
• Turtles All the Way Down, John Green
• You Should See Me in a Crown, Leah Johnson
• Pocho (Spanish), Matt de la Pena
• Something In-between, Melissa de la Cruz
• If I Was Your Girl, Meredith Russo
• Forward Me Back to You, Mitali Perkins
• The Rest of Us Just Live Here, Patrick Ness
• Internment, Samira Ahmed
• I Love You So Mochi, Sarah Kuhn
• The Absolute Story of a Part-time Indian, Sherman Alexie
• Legendborn, Tracy Deonn

 ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

For 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has aligned with partners to address inequities in the region and help underserved communities. United Way’s specialty lies in identifying sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to better understand root causes and putting impactful solutions into action.

United Way’s work, in partnership with others, uses shared goals, innovation and proven practices to transform the lives of children, young adults and families in the San Diego region. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more and get involved by visiting www.uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Ann Marie Price

Scatena Daniels

EDITOR: To download images, click here.

Photos and assets courtesy of United Way of San Diego County

Union Workers Expand Their Giving to Meet Increased Need During the Pandemic

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 17, 2020) — This week, more than 950 families received dinners, toys, gifts and a tremendous amount of cheer to help ring in the holiday season! All items were donated by their fellow workers across San Diego & Imperial Counties. The 33^rd Annual United Way of San Diego County and San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council Food & Toy Distribution is an annual tradition coordinated through their Unions United partnership. This event supports working families and community members who need extra help year-round thanks to the generosity from union teachers, firefighters, grocery workers, nurses, truck drivers, construction workers and more.

More than 700 families in San Diego County and 250 families in Imperial County benefitted from the 2020 drive distribution. This year, the pandemic has dramatically increased the number of families in need. The tourism and hospitality industries have been decimated by the pandemic – and the impact has been severe. To meet the need, union workers have increased their donations in partnership with United Way of San Diego County to help more families than ever before.

“Working people have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic and economic crisis. Families are unable to feed their kids because they are out of work, and they need help.” said Keith Maddox, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. “Union workers have a tradition of solidarity and helping those most in need. Our labor movement comes together every year to ensure that families who are hurting have a holiday meal and their kids have toys to make things a little brighter.”

These workers support one another through Unions United, a partnership of the San Diego and Imperial Counties’ Labor Council’s and United Way of San Diego County. Donations are made from the union dues invested by the more than 200,000 workers the Labor Council represents to assist fellow working families and community members in need. In addition to funding the annual holiday event, these donations support a year-round food pantry at United Way of San Diego County’s headquarters and emergency assistance for workers. For United Way of San Diego County’s fiscal year, by leveraging federal funds and donations, Unions United provided over $757,000 in emergency assistance for rent or mortgage, utilities and food to more than 3,700 families. Last year, 2,582 individuals and families received Unions United’s assistance – including food, rent, mortgage utility support and other assistance. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the need for emergency hunger relief has increased exponentially. The Labor Council has seen their workers – hotel workers, janitors, stagehands and other retail and tourism workers – laid off or sent home without pay. From the outset of the crisis, the Labor Council and United Way of San Diego County have dedicated their focus to relief efforts on the front lines, through the Worker Assistance Initiative and other endeavors that expanded their reach to help a historic number of families in need.

“This year, all families have been impacted in one way or another by the pandemic. But many who experience economic and food instability year-round have gone through even more difficulties this year than others,” says Nancy Sasaki, president and CEO of United Way of San Diego County. “Our United Way team and partners at the Labor Council long-awaited this time-honored event to support families in our diverse communities who rely on extra support during the holiday season. Seeing the relief on the faces of the parents and knowing their children would be full of smiles on Christmas day, made our volunteers and staff fill up with joy. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!”

For over 30 years, United Way of San Diego County has partnered with more than 200,000 working families of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council to organize this event to assist workers and community members struggling to make ends meet. Over 100 volunteers from local unions came together today at Petco Park to give back to pre-selected union and community families who were the most in need. In addition to toys and gifts, all participating families received a bag of food with all the fixings needed to cook up a delicious holiday dinner.

I’ve been a hotel banquet captain for 25 years. The pandemic has cost me the job that I love,” said Ricardo Lavin. “I am grateful to have the support of so many workers in the community who have come together so that my grandkids and I can celebrate Christmas this year.”

To learn more, get help or donate, visit https://uwsd.org/our-work/family-stability/unions-united/.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

For 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has aligned with partners to address inequities in the region and help underserved communities. United Way’s specialty lies in identifying sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to better understand root causes and putting impactful solutions into action.

United Way’s work, in partnership with others, uses shared goals, innovation and proven practices to transform the lives of children, young adults and families in the San Diego region. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more and get involved by visiting www.uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES LABOR COUNCIL

The San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council is a community of more than 200,000 working families standing together. At the Labor Council, nurses, teachers, firefighters, service workers and construction tradespeople join healthcare workers, hotel workers, janitors and zoo employees in their common fight for a voice on the job and at the decision making table. The Council and its 136 member unions seek to improve the lives of working people by advocating for living wages, housing that is affordable, quality healthcare and a secure retirement for all.

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