Christina Hastings Named New Chair, Announces $100,000 in 2018 Grants

SAN DIEGO (Mar. 8, 2019) – United Way of San Diego County has announced that its Women’s Leadership Council has reenvisioned its role to focus on forging and growing a network of partnerships, emerging with a new name – Women United – as well as a new chair, Christina Hastings.

“Women United is a powerful group of women who mobilize to raise much-needed funds that make a direct impact on women and children in the San Diego region,” said Hastings. “Our new approach and tagline ‘Be Bold. Be Engaged. Be Connected’ allows a diverse network of community-minded women to take action, drive change and create community.”

According to United Way President and CEO Nancy Sasaki, since its 2008 inception, Women United has grown to consist of 124 women involved in the group, from a wide variety of industries in the San Diego community.

“Women United provides women the opportunity to become philanthropic leaders by empowering them to make grant decisions, expand philanthropic awareness, and attend exclusive education, volunteer and network events,” said Sasaki.

Under the leadership of Hastings – a longtime United Way volunteer and the director of corporate communications for Bridgepoint Education – Women United is poised to continue its focus on the core issues of education and family stability. Hastings said that going forward “goals include increasing membership offerings and programs, working to create resources around challenges that face San Diego County women and children, and creating synergy amongst local women’s giving circles and nonprofits.”

Members voted to invest the majority of the $100,000 raised – 40 percent – to create Dashboards to Track Academic Success. The state-of-the-art dashboard will allow a countywide network of partners to track key academic and social milestones and help create proven strategies that impact children’s educational and career success.

Other areas receiving funding, all designed to create effective and sustainable programs that advance children and families regardless of zip code or income, include:

Technology, Tools & Resources: Supports a network of partners with the tools and resources to address barriers to academic success, ultimately improving early grade literacy, middle school math and high school graduation rates.

Regional Impact: Grows impact throughout the county by aligning partner resources, both intellectual and financial, securing new and innovative funding streams and advocating based on agreed goals.

Community Engagement Project: Research that clarifies and strengthens United Way’s role in the community for long term impact.

Any San Diego County female can join Women United by making an annual gift of at least $1,000. Members include women in the business, financial, legal and service industries, as well as education and healthcare. For more information or to join, visit our website.

About United Way of San Diego County

For 99 years, United Way of San Diego County has disrupted cycles of poverty by developing long-term solutions for children and families. United Way plays a unique role in the San Diego community, bringing people and resources together to spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. Developing regional partnerships around effective practices, the organization makes measurable, significant change in the education and success of children from cradle to career and helps families have the support needed to ensure that success. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more uwsd.org, the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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May 1 Event Will Feature Education, Public Policy Expert Pedro A. Noguera

SAN DIEGO (Mar. 21, 2019) – United Way of San Diego County’s annual Community Breakfast will gather hundreds of business and government leaders, community partners, and school advocates to support moving students and families forward to a brighter future through education and family stability.

The second annual breakfast event will be held on Wednesday, May 1, from 7:15 to 9:30 a.m., at the Doubletree Hotel at Hazard Center in Mission Valley. The event will be emceed by award-winning journalist and KUSI-TV anchor Elizabeth Alvarez.

Attendees at the annual event, which in its first year attracted 500 participants, will hear from keynote speaker Pedro A. Noguera, an education expert and distinguished professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. The author of 13 books, a regular contributor to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and a frequent commentator for CNN, MSNBC and NPR, Noguera’s work focuses on a broad range of issues related to education and public policy. His current research examines how children’s social and economic status intersects with their performance in the classroom.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Noguera join our ongoing discussion on the power of education to move children and families forward, and to share with us his groundbreaking views – challenging the way we all think about the community’s role in the educational success of our children,” said United Way of San Diego County President and CEO Nancy Sasaki.

Open to the public and sponsored by Solar Turbines, the United Way Community Breakfast will also include an awards presentation, celebrating outstanding community support of children and families throughout San Diego County.

The cost is $100 for individual tickets and tables of 10 are $1,000.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit uwsd.org/Breakfast2019. For sponsorships and tables, contact Jim Woods at 858-636-4145 or .

About United Way of San Diego County

For 99 years, United Way of San Diego County has disrupted cycles of poverty by developing long-term solutions for children and families. United Way plays a unique role in the San Diego community, bringing people and resources together to spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. Developing regional partnerships around effective practices, the organization makes measurable, significant change in the education and success of children from cradle to career and helps families have the support needed to ensure that success. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to get involved by donating and volunteering. Learn more at uwsd.org, the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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Coalition of Over 100 Local Community Partners Involved in Effort Led by United Way of San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (March 12, 2019) – Count Me 2020, a coalition of over 100 community-based organizations and other partners, led by the United Way of San Diego County, has been awarded a major contract of $1.66 million to coordinate Census 2020 outreach. The contract from the California Complete Count Committee designates United Way of San Diego County as the Primary Administrative Community-Based Organization (ACBO) for San Diego and Imperial Counties (Region 10) with a mandate to ensure that everyone in the region is counted.

San Diego and Imperial Counties have some of the hardest to count regions in California, with an estimated 255,000 to 783,000 individuals considered extremely hard to count. The Count Me 2020 Coalition and its partners will use trusted community messengers across both counties to ensure that hard to count communities are accurately counted. This outreach by community-based organizations will also address specific language needs, crucial in a region with over 80 distinct languages.

“As a trusted local nonprofit for 99 years, United Way is excited and honored to be leading the Count Me 2020 Coalition in this crucial work, as our focus is always on aligning and leveraging local resources and partners,” said United Way of San Diego County President and CEO Nancy L. Sasaki. “Further, our family stability work requires that we have an accurate census count across all populations, as this impacts programs such as SNAP, Medicaid and other funding sources for families.”

A complete and accurate count is essential to ensure federal, state and county dollars are adequately distributed to local communities, as well as to determine future congressional seats.

Alan Kaplan, director of Engage San Diego, a community engagement network that works to build civic infrastructure, said: “Engage San Diego is proud to be working with United Way of San Diego County and the Count Me 2020 Coalition to support this important work! The Count Me 2020 Coalition is the broadest group of partners in the region, committed to making sure that all of us can work together to reach the hardest to count populations. We worked hard to make sure that we would have the most inclusive and community-focused RFP in the state, and we are elated that the State of California recognized our commitment! Now we have to get to work and make some real impact to count everybody in 2020!”

Arcela Nuñez-Alvarez, research director of the National Latino Research Center at California State University San Marcos works with community-based organizations and local government to foster regional collaboration and provide training to prepare a multilingual and multicultural cadre of community educators, promotores and community leaders to serve as census outreach ambassadors. Dr. Nuñez-Alvarez said, “It is our civic duty to uphold the Constitution ensuring every person is counted in Census 2020. Everyone can help to reduce or eliminate barriers to participation by helping our family and neighbors understand the importance of the census, how to participate and reminding them that in our democracy, every person counts and matters!”

The Coalition has been meeting regularly since December 2018 to develop inclusive community engagement processes, gain local buy-in, and share information regarding deadlines, structures and support networks available to groups interested in supporting the Census. This collaborative process will continue as additional community-based subcontractors and collaborators are determined in the coming months to support Census outreach.

To learn more about the outreach and implementation of the Count Me 2020 Plan, please join the Coalition, attend the next community meeting on March 26, and save the date for the Region 10 launch on April 2. Details can be found at www.countme2020.org.

About Count Me 2020

Coalition Count Me 2020 is a coalition of over 100 community organizations and civic groups working to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 Census count in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Outreach focuses on ensuring that the 255,000 to 783,000 individuals who are considered “hard to count” in San Diego and Imperial Counties are counted and represented.

The Coalition’s organizing approach is to nurture a culture of trust, engagement, buy-in and civic participation to reach, educate, motivate and activate individuals who are traditionally excluded and undercounted. Count Me 2020 coordinates closely with governments, businesses and other efforts, and welcomes all who care about our communities’ representation and proper funding distribution to join us! Learn more at www.countme2020.org or fb.me/countme2020.

About United Way of San Diego County

For 99 years, United Way of San Diego County has disrupted cycles of poverty by developing long-term solutions for children and families. United Way plays a unique role in the San Diego community, bringing people and resources together to spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. Developing regional partnerships around effective practices, the organization makes measurable, significant change in the education and success of children from cradle to career and helps families have the support needed to ensure that success. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to get involved by donating and volunteering. Learn more at uwsd.org, the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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Unions United Partnership Supports Working Families Year-Round

SAN DIEGO (December 18, 2018) – Today, more than 650 families received holiday dinners, toys and gifts donated by union members across San Diego & Imperial Counties. United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council’s 31st Holiday Food and Toy Distribution is an annual event coordinated through their Unions United partnership. The event supports working families and community members who struggle to make ends meet, through generous donations from union teachers, firefighters, retail workers, nurses, truck drivers, construction workers and more.

Over 500 families in San Diego County and 150 families in Imperial County benefited from the 2018 drive distribution, including home healthcare workers, hospital workers, janitors and others who regularly need assistance due to low wages and high housing costs in the region. Other recipients this year included UNITE-HERE Hotel workers and UC San Diego Hospital employees, who went on strike to fight for higher wages for their fellow workers, and community members identified by local nonprofits, including recent immigrants and fire victims.

“In 2018, too many of our working families are paid wages so low they struggle to make ends meet. Families shouldn’t have to choose between a roof over their head and a holiday meal for their family,” said Keith Maddox, executive secretary-treasurer, San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. “Our food and toy drive is an example of the power of workers standing together and helping one another and their communities.”

These workers support one another through Unions United, a partnership of the San Diego and Imperial Counties’ 135 member unions and the United Way of San Diego County. Many of the 200,000 workers the Labor Council represents make monthly donations from their paychecks 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’s San Diego headquarters and emergency assistance for workers. Last year, 2,400 union families received Unions United’s assistance – including food, rent, mortgage and utility support.

“The efforts of Unions United are especially important, as children who experience economic hardship when they are young are at the greatest risk for lower academic outcomes. United Way’s work with the Labor Council provides assistance to these children and families during the holidays and throughout the year,” said Nancy Sasaki, president and CEO, Unions United/United Way of San Diego County. “Together, we can build a vibrant community with opportunity for everyone.”

To learn more, get help or donate, visit our website.

About United Way of San Diego County

For 98 years, United Way of San Diego County has disrupted cycles of poverty by developing long-term solutions for children and families. United Way plays a unique role in the San Diego community, bringing people and resources together to spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. Developing regional partnerships around effective practices, the organization makes measurable, significant change in the education and success of children from cradle to career and helps families have the support needed to ensure that success. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more at uwsd.org, the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

About 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 135 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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Last Year, More Than $40 Million in State and Federal Refunds Received by Over 31,000 San Diegans

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 25, 2018) – United Way of San Diego County and 2-1-1 San Diego announced today that they are partnering to leverage funds granted by the California Department of Community Services Development (CSD), to promote the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and expand free tax preparation services. The two nonprofits are partnering with several other nonprofit organizations to help low- and moderate-income families prepare and file their 2018 taxes for free, and potentially add thousands of dollars to their refunds.

The two nonprofit organizations say their aim is to raise awareness and usage of the more than 60 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites countywide, as well as increase overall claims for state and federal EITCs that are available to eligible workers.

In 2018 (tax year 2017), United Way of San Diego County, 2-1-1 San Diego and many other San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition partners, supported and provided the public with access to 630 volunteers who provided free tax assistance to 31,092 residents and brought more than $40 million in federal and state refunds back to working families in San Diego communities – largely due to Earned Income Tax Credits.

According to United Way President and CEO Nancy Sasaki, tax season can be confusing and many San Diegans are unaware of the resources and refunds available to them.

“Each year, too many hard-working San Diegans are missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tax refunds that they’ve earned,” said Sasaki. “These grants will help us connect with more local residents and share vital information about one of the nation’s most successful anti-poverty measures – the Earned Income Tax Credit.”

While some people may not associate tax season with improving a family’s bottom line, for more than 300,000 eligible San Diego residents, the EITC does just that, noted Sasaki. The EITC is a refundable state and federal tax credit that provides applicable households with significant refunds. In fact, she said, the maximum state and federal EITC refund is around $9,000.

And while these tax credits can make big differences in a household budget, it’s not just about the additional income, said William York, executive vice president of 2-1-1 San Diego.

“Most low-income households are not able to afford access to a financial expert they can talk to about getting out of debt, choosing safe banking practices and services, or planning and saving for the future,” he said. “So, many families continue to struggle from paycheck to paycheck.”

York said the influx of new California EITC grant monies will allow 2-1-1 San Diego to expand outreach efforts to hundreds of thousands of eligible families countywide and schedule appointments for free tax preparation services. In addition to free tax preparations, he said filers at VITA sites can complete a benefit screening that can link them to other public benefit services. These screenings last tax season helped 1,480 families become aware of their potential eligibility status and provided them with instructions to apply for these benefits.

The San Diego County EITC Coalition is led by United Way of San Diego County and anchored by a partnership with the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency -Community Action Partnership and the IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication. 2-1-1 San Diego will facilitate its outreach efforts with partners Dreams for Change, International Rescue Committee (IRC), YMCA Childcare Resource Service, Child Development Associates and ElderHelp of San Diego. United Way’s CalEITC grant will expand the Coalition’s free tax assistance, in partnership with Dreams for Change and Interfaith Community Services.

To make an appointment for free tax preparation services, eligible families can call 2-1-1 or visit www.myfreetaxes.org.

About United Way of San Diego County

For 98 years, United Way of San Diego County has disrupted cycles of poverty by developing long-term solutions for children and families. United Way plays a unique role in the San Diego community, bringing people and resources together to spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. Developing regional partnerships around effective practices, the organization makes measurable, significant change in the education and success of children from cradle to career and helps families have the support needed to ensure that success. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more uwsd.org, the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

About 2-1-1 San Diego

2-1-1 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. 2-1-1 San Diego’s Community Information Exchange (CIE) technology improves the lives and health outcomes of San Diego County residents through improved care coordination that unites information across community providers, making access to services seamless. For more information about 2-1-1 San Diego, visit www.211sandiego.org or follow them on Facebook @211sandiego or Twitter @211SD.

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