FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Suzy Garcia / Ann Marie Price

Scatena Daniels

/

EDITOR: To download images, click here

Photos and assets courtesy United Way of San Diego County

“Readers in the Heights – at Home” by United Way of San Diego County and Partner Organizations Prepared 93 City Heights Children for New Online School Year

SAN DIEGO (SEPT. 14, 2020) – Ryan described not really being much of a reader, but after participating this past August in “Readers in the Heights – at Home”, a summer literacy summer, Ryan shared that he read more often, that he loved the activities, and that he can’t wait to participate next year. Along with 92 other students, Ryan benefited from the annual summer reading initiative that promotes active learning for first through third grade students—conducted at-home for the first time ever this year. When asked if Readers in the Heights has changed anything about reading at home, Ryan shared, “Yes, because I usually don’t read a lot. But during Readers in the Heights, I would read, read, read, read, read. Kids should go to Readers in the Heights because it will bring their family together.”

Readers in the Heights – at Home aims to prevent “summer slide,” the loss of literacy gains made during the school year by children who lack access to books during the summer break. The sudden transition to distance learning and other interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic will likely worsen the summer slide for many low-income children in San Diego County. However, parents who have been surveyed to date, on average, reported that over the course of Readers in the Heights, they read more frequently with their children and for longer periods of time than they do typically. United Way of San Diego County anticipates that these changes in reading habits will positively impact their reading performance this upcoming school year.

Promoting Summer Literacy in City Heights

“We’ve seen Readers in the Heights transform students’ reading abilities, and this year’s virtual model is no exception,” said United Way of San Diego County President and CEO Nancy L. Sasaki. “The COVID-19 pandemic and school districts’ switch to online learning have exacerbated educational inequalities, leaving low-income students even more vulnerable to falling behind. However, using research-proven assessment tools to measure their progress, United Way of San Diego County leveraged the collective areas of our partners’ expertise to help close learning gaps and open new worlds by creating happy, excited and confident readers.”

All Readers in the Heights – at Home students live in the economically and culturally diverse City Heights neighborhood. Twelve different primary languages were spoken at home across the 56 participating families, majorities of whom identified as Asian or African-American. City Heights also has the highest concentration of youth in the county—and, subsequently, the highest number of vulnerable children.

Due to COVID-19, Readers in the Heights transitioned this year from an in-person, camp-like experience to an at-home, family-focused initiative that aimed to build excitement around reading. Two community organizations, City Heights Community Development Corporation and the Karen Organization of San Diego, provided children with weekly literacy kits designed by Words Alive. These kits included books, hands-on activities, and strategies for engaging more deeply in the texts. Sites additionally employed virtual read-alouds and weekly check-ins via text and phone calls to build strong family reading habits, and families received health and masks made by local City Heights vendors, school and art supplies, and back-to-school backpacks.

Since schools have transitioned to distance learning, parents of Readers in the Heights – at Home participants have described struggling with using online platforms and applications. They are also concerned about their kids being bored or understimulated, as well as falling behind. They report needing more resources and support in their primary language, hands-on learning materials, and increased access to instructors, mentors, and/or tutors.

Sasaki added, “This summer was about maintaining connection and supporting learning at home for both parents and children, despite the need to be physically distant. Families weren’t simply given books and literacy-linked projects, they were consistently supported and cheered on by trusted community organizations’ staff.”

The Impact

Across the 56 families that participated, Readers in the Heights distributed 1,500 free books to build their home libraries, 400 activities aligned with weekly readings, 250 masks, and 100 backpacks filled with school supplies just in time for the start of the new school year. An additional 100 books and activity workbooks were given to families with preschool-aged children. Of those parents who have completed the end of program survey thus far, 70% reported that they feel confident in their ability to support their child with reading – an increase of 36 percentage points over the course of the initiative. Additionally, 85% of those families expressed that their child enjoys reading – an increase of 30 percentage points.

Program partners include City Heights Community Development Corporation, Karen Organization of San Diego, Words Alive, San Diego Council on Literacy, City Heights Weingart Library, Fleet Science Center, Traveling Stories, International Rescue Committee Small Business Development Center, RevCult, Target, UWSD’s Women United, and Count Me 2020.

“For the past 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has forged partnerships that respond to our communities’ greatest areas of need,” said Sasaki. “As the social and economic consequences of the pandemic deepen, our goal is to work with our partners to expand the practices used by Readers in the Heights – At Home to other collaborative programming across the county to ensure our students and families are being supported.”

Find more ways to support our communities in need at www.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 www.uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Suzy Garcia / Ann Marie Price

Scatena Daniels

/

EDITOR: To download images, click here.

Photos and assets courtesy United Way of San Diego County

SAN DIEGO — (Aug. 5, 2020) — United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) is pleased to announce Tony R. Russell as the new Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors as of July 1, 2020.

Tony has served on the board of United Way of San Diego County since 2017. He is a founding member of the United Way of San Diego County’s Emerging Leaders, and is a former member of United Way of San Diego’s Campaign Cabinet. He has served on multiple committees to advance UWSD’s mission. Tony is also currently a Board member and served two terms as the Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and the YMCA of San Diego County.

“Tony’s community-minded spirit and drive to foster a new generation of young leaders makes him the ideal board chair,” says United Way of San Diego County President and CEO, Nancy L. Sasaki. “He has devoted much of his professional career to truly making San Diego a better place for everyone, and I cannot think of a better person to help guide our initiatives through this trying time for our region. I know with Tony at the helm of our Board of Directors, we will reimagine and rebuild the future for hundreds of thousands of children, young adults and families, as we have for the past 100 years.

Tony has been with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority since 2003 in the role of Director, Board Services/Authority Clerk, and holds over 30 years of experience in local and municipal government, specifically in corporate and information governance. His expertise includes managing legislative meetings of city councils and local government boards of directors, and ensuring compliance with corporate and information governance laws and regulations.

During his tenure with the Airport Authority, Tony established its employee, family and friends volunteer program, which continues to participate in numerous volunteer events throughout San Diego County, including the Day of Action and Stamp-Out Hunger events for the United Way of San Diego County.

“I am honored and humbled to be appointed as Board Chair, and look forward to supporting United Way of San Diego County’s efforts in this new role,” says Tony. “Our mission statement declares that all children, young adults, and families deserve to succeed, regardless of zip code or income. Now, amid a pandemic that has upended many San Diego County families’ livelihoods, it’s more important than ever that we do all we can to help these families rebound and work toward the future they deserve.”

Tony, a Serra Mesa resident, served four years in the United States Marine Corps and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix.

Find more ways to support our communities in need at www.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 www.uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Suzy Garcia / Arika Daniels

Scatena Daniels

/

EDITOR: To download images, click here.

Photos and assets courtesy United Way of San Diego County

Initiative has also provided more than $754,326 in direct assistance to low-wage workers in response to COVID-19

SAN DIEGO — (July 23, 2020) — United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) has awarded $667,830 from its San Diego Worker Assistance Initiative to five local community organizations across the region who are supporting low-wage workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Diego Worker Assistance Initiative was established by United Way of San Diego County to provide flexible resources to qualified individuals and families who have been the most severely impacted by layoffs and reduced working hours implemented by employers due to COVID-19. As the pandemic progressed and the needs of the community changed, UWSD had to redefine who was in most need. When the CARES Act passed and with the guidance from a major funder, the nonprofit realized San Diegans who did not receive financial assistance would need the most support. To help deliver relief quickly to individuals and families experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19, UWSD has partnered with organizations around the region who not only have a history of being trusted community leaders, but also serve many individuals who do not file IRS 1040s and are not covered by CARES Act funding. These organizations also have the ability to distribute funds quickly to the members of the community who need it most.

“We’ve been staying informed on the needs of the community and as those needs progressed, we have had to change too,” says president and CEO, Nancy L. Sasaki. “During our 100-year history, we have always been here for those who need additional support, and the current economic crisis is no exception. Through our partnership with these organizations, United Way of San Diego County will continue to deploy dollars to those who need it most urgently, and at a faster rate.”

The following five organizations were selected for this grant due to their extensive efforts during the pandemic and geographic reach:

• MAAC (Spring Valley): An organization that maximizes self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our underserved communities, MAAC was founded upon a vision to provide a place where local families in need could find the means to self-sufficiency. This nonprofit is based in East County, but has a County-wide footprint and focuses on affordable housing, child development, and economic development.
• North County Lifeline (Oceanside): This nonprofit’s mission is to build self-reliance among youth, adults, and families through high-quality, community-based services. Its work focuses on housing and self-sufficiency, youth development, domestic violence and human trafficking prevention.
• Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (Teralta East): PANA’s mission is to promote the fair treatment and equitable inclusion of refugee communities using organizing to achieve collective impact and policy change. The majority of San Diego’s refugee workers are in the restaurant, hotel, and transportation industries hardest hit by the pandemic. Even with the City of San Diego taking action to halt evictions, foreclosures, and utility shut-offs, people already struggling to make ends meet are now managing reduced work hours or furloughs, school closures, childcare challenges, and food scarcity. Funds from the San Diego Worker Assistance Initiative will support PANA’s emergency COVID-19 fund.
• San Diego Community College District (Mission Valley East): This nonprofit consists of thousands of students in need who rely on employment while going to school. Many of them are not eligible for CARES Act support.
• United Domestic Workers (Rolando Village): United Domestic Workers is a union for home care workers, by home care workers. The nonprofit looks after families and cares for community members who need its assistance. Many of them left paid, full-time jobs to do this work, and frequently work more hours than for which they are paid.

Supporting Low-Wage Workers

While the San Diego Worker Assistance Initiative was established in direct response to COVID-19, the goal is to support the community in response to crisis situations and emergencies both now and in the future.

“With absolutely no income coming in or savings left, my family was facing homelessness,” says Lacey Kennedy Cornejo, a recipient of United Way of San Diego County’s Worker Assistance Initiative. “As a mother of two, with a child who has a chronic autoimmune disease that places him at a higher risk for severe health complications, I felt alone. But when I stumbled across the Worker Assistance Initiative, I quickly submitted my application. After weeks of continued stress and denial letters from unemployment and small business loans and grants, we were thrilled to qualify for financial assistance through United Way of San Diego County. The initiative not only helped us keep our home internet active while our children learned the new dynamic of online classes, but also covered part of our SDG&E bill to keep our lights on. These small gifts helped my family at a time when we were scared about what was to come. Although it did not solve all of our problems, it filled our family with so much gratitude, hope and love. My 14-year-old son told us that he felt a little bit better about what the future holds, and with stress being a major factor in his disease, this brought me relief.”

To date, the initiative has provided $754,326 in direct assistance through utilities / rent and mortgage payments to more than 4,460 San Diegans.

“This fund has provided our donors a unique way of giving back directly to support individuals – the low-wage workers who are at the greatest risk of financial ruin, entry to the social services system, and even homelessness without such support. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone – individuals, foundations, and local businesses – who generously donated to their fellow San Diegans in need,” says Sasaki.

Find more ways to support our communities in need at www.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 www.uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        

Suzy Garcia / Ann Marie Price

Scatena Daniels

/

EDITOR: To download images, click here.

Assets courtesy San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, HandsOn San Diego and United Way of San Diego County

Access the San Diego COVID-19 Volunteer Hub website by visiting: sandiegovolunteerhub.org

Virtual hub will be a one-stop-shop for volunteering resources and opportunities to help thousands of local families affected by COVID-19

SAN DIEGO (May 12, 2020) — While many in our community are facing difficult challenges due to the pandemic, charitable organizations around the world are working around the clock to provide much-needed supplies, services, and support for individuals and families in need. But nonprofits couldn’t provide these emergency services without the help of community volunteers. To meet this growing demand, United Way of San Diego County has partnered with HandsOn San Diego to launch the San Diego COVID-19 Volunteer Hub, a new website where San Diegans can find ways to help other San Diegans get through this crisis together.

“There are many ways to give back to the community, especially during times like this,” says Nancy Sasaki, president and CEO, United Way of San Diego County. “Because of all the options to volunteer, it might feel overwhelming when searching for the right nonprofit that fits your interests and skills. That’s why United Way of San Diego County partnered with HandsOn San Diego to make the process quick and easy for people to search for meaningful ways to give back. Working together and lending a helping hand to our fellow neighbors has never been more important.”

Among the many opportunities to help, the website provides the following volunteer options for individuals, groups, and companies:

• Donate in-kind goods/relief items
• Volunteer in-person
• Volunteer virtually from the comfort of your own home
• Lend your professional skills to help a local nonprofit
• Make a monetary donation
• Provide the gift of life by donating blood

Just like many nonprofit organizations, HandsOn San Diego had to change the way it operated to respond to the pandemic. “Volunteering is the best thing we can do for each other during these challenging times,” says Crystal Trull, Interim Executive Director, HandsOn San Diego. “Whether you give of your  time, talent, or treasure, it all helps us to be a stronger, more united community. If your heart is eager to give back, but you just don’t know how, the volunteer hub will help you find just the right opportunity”

Visit sandiegovolunteerhub.org for more information.

Here are more ways to get connected:

• If you have questions about how to volunteer or if you would like to list your nonprofit and volunteer opportunities on the site, contact Jessie Case, volunteer engagement coordinator, HandsOn San Diego at
• If you would like support with your CSR strategy, or identifying meaningful engagement opportunities and volunteer projects for your employees, please contact Carlee Chatman, corporate social responsibility manager, United Way of San Diego County at for more information.

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 HANDSON SAN DIEGO

HandsOn San Diego’s mission is to strengthen communities through volunteer action and leadership development. Since 2013, HandsOn San Diego has connected thousands of individual volunteers to hundreds of nonprofit partners, schools, and community groups throughout the San Diego region.  By hand-selecting volunteer projects that range from small-scale, ongoing opportunities to large-scale, one-time events, HandsOn San Diego is committed to making volunteering accessible to everyone.

HandsOn San Diego is an affiliate of the Points of Light Global Network, an international partnership that spans more than 250 cities and 37 countries around the world.  Sharing a common vision that civic engagement is the pathway to positive change, HandsOn San Diego has earned the distinction of being a Service-Enterprise certified organization.  Learn more about our work by visiting www.handsonsandiego.org, Facebook, or by emailing .