United Way Capital Area in the Media

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung Austin donates $1M to United Way
Samsung Austin Semiconductor LLC will donate $1 million to a United Way Capital Area program that supports care and education for low-income preschool students.

The gift is the Success By 6 program's largest corporate donation ever. The Austin company, which is Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s only chip-making plant outside of Korea, will officially announce the donation Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung announces $1 million gift to United Way
Samsung has announced a $1 million gift to the United Way Capital Area Success by 6 program.

At a press conference representatives from Samsung said the gift was to celebrate the company's recent announcement of a $3.6 billion expansion to its 12-inch semiconductor fabrication plant in Austin.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung gives United Way nonprofit $1M
Samsung Electronics Co. is making a $1 million donation Wednesday to United Way Capital Area for the nonprofit's Success by 6 program .

Success by 6 helps expand early education for underprivileged preschool children and prepare them for elementary school.

Click here to read more.
Click here to see the video.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung gives $1 million to United Way
Business and civic leaders gathered at the Hilton Austin hotel Wednesday, when Samsung presented a $1 million donation to the United Way Capital Area.

Oh-Hyun Kwon, president of Samsung Electronics Co.'s global semiconductor business, center in above photo, flew from South Korea to Austin for the event. He's shown here with Woosung Han, left, who heads Samsung's Austin operations, and Ann Taylor of the United Way.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung donates $1 million to United Way program
Samsung marked a multi-million dollar expansion by giving back.

Wednesday, officials with Samsung donated $1 million to United Way Capital Area’s Success By 6 program. The program works to identify barriers to learning in children and breaks them down by the time they’re ready to enter kindergarten.

“We are honored and deeply appreciative of such a generous gift and look forward to all of the possibilities and opportunities this will continue to create for our youngest and most vulnerable students,” United Way Capital Area Board Chairman Kevin Cole said.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung making $1 million donation to the United Way
Samsung Electronics Co. is making a $1 million donation today to United Way Capital Area, money the nonprofit will use to expand its initiatives in early education for underprivileged children.

It is the biggest single donation to the United Way in several years and a declaration of Samsung's intention to play a higher-profile community role in Central Texas.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samsung Austin Semiconductor donates $1 million to United Way Capital Area
Officials from Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced Sept. 1 the company would donate $1 million to the United Way Capital Area's Success By 6 program. The donation was made to celebrate the company's recent announcement of a $3.6 billion expansion to its 12-inch semiconductor fabrication plant in Northeast Austin.

Click here to read more.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010
I Live Here, I Give Here: Success by 6
Sue Carpenter of Success by 6 and Ellen Balthazar of Any Baby Can stopped by Good Day to talk about Success by 6.

Click here to see the video.

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Thursday, August 19, 2010
Education Edge: Picking the Right Preschool
Choosing the right preschool or daycare for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make, especially when a child is spending 40+ hours there.

In Austin, parents have many choices: Montessori, play-based programs, home-based care and bilingual preschools, just to name a few. Unfortunately not all programs are high quality and many children show up for school unprepared. According to the United Way Success by 6 Program , 40% of children in Austin come to kindergarten already two years behind. Many factors contribute to this including poverty, maternal depression and abuse.

Click here to see the video and read the rest of the story.

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Friday, August 6, 2010
Promises, Promises
Two Austin neighborhoods vie to bring down federal dollars to help transform communities
What's attracted all this high-level interest? It's not just that the area has needs – though with a 43% child poverty rate, 26% of 16- to 19-year-olds out of school or out of a job, and 47% of adults with limited English-language skills, the neighborhood's needs are undeniable. It's that the area has also become an example of what community outreach can do to turn schools around. It was the St. John Neighborhood Association that convinced the AISD trustees to reject former Superintendent Pat Forgione's 2007 scheme to turn their neighborhood middle school into a boys academy, and it was with this community's backing that innovative programs – such as the Family Resource Center and YouthLaunch's Urban Roots farming project – started at Webb and are now expanding and being emulated throughout the district. While the heavy hitters add credibility and institutional liaisons, it's the local charities that have signed on, such as LifeWorks and United Way Capital Area, which will run the projects.

Click here to read more.

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July 2010
Bank on Central Texas Helps Low-income Families
In early June, the United Way Capital Area launched Bank on Central Texas, a program offering financial education classes geared at helping low income families and individuals open bank accounts.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Program aims to draw more Central Texans into financial mainstream
Officials with the United Way Capital Area and local nonprofit group PeopleFund are combining to launch a community initiative called Bank On Central Texas, aimed at encouraging the estimated 47,000 area households that don't have bank accounts to open one.

The program will help residents open starter free or low-cost checking, savings or debit card accounts at 40 branches of seven local banks, credit unions or debit card companies and will help sponsor financial education courses.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
New program connects Central Texans with bank accounts
There are 47,000 households in Central Texas without bank accounts.

A new program called BankOn Central Texas is working to educate people about the benefits of owning a bank account. The organization launched Tuesday as a community initiative of United Way Capital Area.

FDIC Chief of Staff Jesse Villareal said the program is designed for people who don't currently use banks and harbor some misconceptions about them.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
BANKING ON CENTRAL TEXAS
Groups join forces to bring more households into financial institutions.

The United Way Capital Area and PeopleFund are teaming up with some financial institutions to get more households into banking. They estimate that around 47-thousand households in and around Austin don’t have bank accounts.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Many Austinites spending hundreds on check cashing fees
Officials with the United Way estimate the typical Austin households spend as much as 900 dollars on check cashing fees - instead of useing a bank. The agency's Emily Day Maria says as a group they borrow 90 million dollars in pay day loans every year.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
New program reaches out to people without bank accounts
United Way Capital Area and local nonprofit PeopleFund are combining to launch a community initiative called Bank On Central Texas, aimed at encouraging the estimated 47,000 unbanked Central Texas households to open a checking, savings or debit card account.

The program will help residents open starter accounts and will help sponsor financial education courses, organizers say.

Click here to read more.

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Friday, May 28, 2010
Banks offer entry to mainstream economy
The value of the checks cashed by the 47,000 people in Central Texas who don't have bank accounts is estimated to be $160 million. Those people might be broke individually, but collectively, they are obviously worth a lot of money to somebody.

Those "somebodys" include those who prey on workers who carry around their weekly paychecks in cash. Access to a checking account would be safer and would allow low wage workers to keep more of their money. That's the message Capital Area United Way, in cooperation with area banks, will be delivering starting today.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
At United Way, a praise-filled sendoff for Mando Rayo
After 13 years with the United Way Capital Area, Rayo is stepping down as director of the agency’s Hands on Central Texas to pursue his partnership — with CEO Sebastian Puente and Juan Tornoe — in Cultural Strategies, a marketing and communications firm which helps clients reach Latinos.

Click here to read more.

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Saturday, May 15, 2010
Philanthropy: Volunteerism expert sees transformation
Rayo, 36, has been working with volunteers for the United Way Capital Area for 13 years. Now the director of Hands on Central Texas — which provides more than 400 volunteer, project and leadership opportunities — is leaving the nonprofit to start a company called Cultural Strategies. The new venture is "a Hispanic marketing, communications and engagement firm that develops strategies and messages that resonate with a multicultural America," Rayo says.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bye Bye, Mando
Mando Rayo, the ever-quotable and everywhere-all-the-time director of Hands On Central Texas, is leaving the United Way Capital Area to focus his business, Cultural Strategies.

Click here to read more.

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Monday, April 19, 2010
National Volunteer Week
This is national volunteer week and there are plenty of ways you can donate time around Austin.

Debbie Bresette, president of United Way Capital Area, and Leslie Lockett of HEB spoke to Good Day about this event.
Click here to read more.

Friday, March 12, 2010
Promotions and new board appointments at area nonprofits
The United Way Capital Area board of directors added six new members including: Marie Baker, director in the managed services sector at CSC; Heather Brunner, chief operating officer at Bazaarvoice; Juan Gonzalez, vice president of student affairs at the University of Texas; Butch Hayes, managing partner at Fulbright & Jaworski; Bill O’Brien, consultant and chief operating officer at MagRabbit; and Michael Vivio, publisher of the Austin American-Statesman.

Click here to read more.

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Thurday, March 4, 2010
FINRA Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Grants to Support Grassroots Financial Education Projects

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide (UWW) have announced nearly $1.5 million in grants to 12 recipients to extend the reach of community-based financial education programs across the country.

United Way Capital Area, Austin, Texas, $150,000; to provide, as part of a larger “Bank on Central Texas” initiative, guidance to employers on how to implement workplace financial stability strategies, including direct deposit, automatic savings through payroll deductions, a default requirement to opt-out of deferred savings plans and EITC outreach. Foundation Communities, a local nonprofit partner, will offer employers the ability to provide free financial education workshops and one-on-one financial coaching for employees.

Click here to read more.

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Monday, February 15, 2010
2-1-1 Offers Help to Those in Need


The downturn in the economy has a lot of folks in Central Texas looking for help and it's led to a surge in calls to United Way's 2-1-1 helpline. The free resource offers info on a range of topics from health and human services to disaster relief.

Click here to read more.

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Friday, February 12, 2010
2-1-1 sees increase in calls
The 2-1-1 Texas/United Way Helpline — a free phoneline and online database that provides information and referrals to health and human service agencies, churches, disaster relief resources, and volunteer opportunities — received 247,000 calls in 2009. That’s up 30 percent from 2008.

There was a 50 percent increase in health and dental requests, a 26 percent hike in food and housing requests and a 20 percent jump in mental health referrals.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
United Way gives $3.4 million in grants
United Way Capital Area (UWCA) announced today it will award $3.4 million in Community Investment grants (CIG) this year. The grants will fund community programs that make a long-term impact on critical issues in education, financial stability and health. The grant money comes directly from donors to the annual campaign run by UWCA.

“We are proud of the results we’ve seen from these grants. More than 67,000 Central Texans are now more educated, financially stable and healthy thanks to the programs and services we have funded,” said Debbie Bresette, president of the United Way Capital Area.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
United Way Capital Area not issuing grant RFP
In a sign of tough economic times, United Way Capital Area has decided to renew its existing community investment grants this year instead of issuing its annual request for proposals.

“What we are trying to do is make sure our community partners are stable. It has been a tumultuous past couple of years in fundraising and we don’t know what the coming years will look like,” United Way marketing and communications Vice President Ann Taylor said.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
United Way Capital Area and KLRU Launch Live United Film Series, Austin Brains Benefit
United Way Capital Area and KLRU have joined forces for a three-part community strengthening film series that will feature that lovely and oft-skipped post-film activity: conversation. Beyond just building awareness around timely social issues, the Live United Film Series will bring in local guests and provide resources for taking action on the topic at hand.

Click here to read more.

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Monday, January 25th, 2010
Live United Film series begins Jan. 28
The Live United Film Series, a three-part film series that aims to inspire, inform, and educate Central Texans about topics impacting our community, begins Jan. 28, 2010. The events will focus on education, financial stability, and Hispanic engagement and combine a film screening, followed by a moderated discussion with community leaders, issue experts, and community representatives.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
New Film Series Focuses on Local Community Issues
Like most people, I've been vaguely familiar with the national non-profit organization United Way all my life. Several years ago I was fortunate to meet and get to know Mando Rayo (in the center of the above photo), Director of United Way Capital Area volunteer match program Hands On Central Texas. In response to a Facebook message from Mando, I volunteered for the 2-1-1 Texas phone bank during Hurricane Ike -- one of the most humbling and memorable experiences in my life. That's just one of the many innovative ways that the United Way Capital Area is using social media and other forums to bring folks together to address critical social issues in our community.

Click here to read more.

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City honors MLK Jr. with service
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hundreds of people volunteered to help give Austin a facelift.

United Way Capital Area and one of its programs, Hands On Central Texas, hosted the MLK Day of Service on Saturday as part of Austin’s tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. More than 700 volunteers participated in 19 different service projects around the city, including park and street cleanups, serving at soup kitchens and building restorations.

Click here to read more.

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Volunteers fan out to honor King
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Many Central Texans are celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend by helping their communities.

On Saturday, hundreds of people participated in the United Way Capital Area's MLK Day of Service, an annual event in which volunteers fan across the city to spruce up buildings, pick up trash, work on nature trails and conduct other service projects.

Click here to read more.

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Education focus of Live United Film Series event on 1/28
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Join KLRU and United Way Capital Area for a special film screening and discussion on education issues in Austin on Thursday, January 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in KLRU’s Austin City Limits Studio 6A. RSVP here. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided.

Click here to read more.

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Mando’s name in lights!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
As we all know, Mando Rayo — who runs the United Way volunteer program Hands on Central Texas — never turns down an interview. And oh how we reporters love that!

Anyway, Mando is quoted in this week’s Chronicle of Philanthropy, the weekly newspaper covering the national nonprofit scene and the generally accepted bible of philanthropy journalism.

Click here to read more.

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Austinist Altruist: Martin Luther King Day of Service
January 11, 2010
This coming weekend, whether you have Monday off or not, consider spending some time serving the community in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. This year, the United Way Capital Area's volunteer action program, Hands On Central Texas, has coordinated with local non-profits, parks, and schools to provide service opportunities for Saturday, January 16th.

Click here to read more.

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MLK Day of Service: Saturday, January 16, 2010
January 11, 2010
On Saturday, January 16, United Way Capital Area and Hands on Central Texas invite you to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service.

Last year more than 700 volunteers came together to dig into community improvement projects throughout Austin. We hope you’ll join us in 2010 to participate in service in honor of Dr. King.

Click here to read more.

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MLK volunter opportunities
Monday, January 11, 2010
To honor of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, more than 500 volunteers are expected to join with the United Way Capital Area’s Hands On Central Texas program and other nonprofits for the annual MLK Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 16.

Click here to read more.

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Nonprofits cutting salaries, freezing raises
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010
At a time when nonprofit groups are struggling to raise money, some local charities are cutting executive pay, freezing salaries and ditching annual bonuses.

United Way President Debbie Bresette recently declined a pay increase.

Click here to read more.

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Local non-profits struggle to keep up after busy year
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Here at home, United Way Capital Area has seen a 10 percent decline in contributions this year. The decrease has led to program cuts.

The 2-1-1 hotline in the Austin area has seen those cuts firsthand, when referring people to services.

"Instead of referring someone to one particular nonprofit, that person may need to be referred to three or four nonprofits that combine funds," United Way Capital Area President Debbie Bresette said.

Click here to read more.

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KLRU, United Way Capital Area team up for film series
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Join KLRU and United Way Capital Area for a special film screening and discussion on education issues in Austin on Thursday, January 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in KLRU’s Austin City Limits Studio 6A.

Click here to read more.

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United Way Capital Area names new president
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Debbie Bresette has been named president of the United Way Capital Area.

Bresette has been interim leader of the nonprofit since March, when former President David Balch resigned to work for Civic Interest, a consulting group that advises clients on local issues and new initiatives.

Click here to read more.

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Opinión: Si te conviertes en voluntario, serás la solución
Thursday, September 10, 2009
El presidente Barack Obama y la primera dama Michelle Obama anunciaron una iniciativa de servicio nacional, “Juntos Servimos”, que durará 81 días y terminará con un Día Nacional de Servicio y el 11 de septiembre.

Estos 81 días son el comienzo de un esfuerzo sostenido, colaborativo y focalizado para satisfacer las necesidades de la comunidad y hacer del servicio una forma de vida para todos.

¿Por qué no te nos unes? ¡Atiende la llamada, ayuda a tu comunidad y ofrécete como voluntario! En United Way tenemos proyectos de voluntariado y capacitación que te permitirán empezar este camino. Llama al 2-1-1 o visita www.vivirunidos.org.

Click here to read more.

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Will foundation giving dive in 2010?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Imagine my surprise when I saw a local report that said 64 out of 100 nonprofits surveyed believed that their foundation funding would remain the same or increase over the next 12 months. Could they be right? Were they being overly optimistic?

I couldn't ask them directly. The responses to the survey — conducted by Greenlights for NonProfit Success and United Way Capital Area — were anonymous. So, I asked Greenlights Executive Director Matt Kouri for his take on the numbers.

Click here to read more.

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Opinión: Una hora para los jóvenes: Ayúdalos a aprender
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Necesitamos 400 voluntarios ahora mismo para que donen una hora a la semana de su tiempo y se conviertan en adultos voluntarios que ayuden a los estudiantes a seguir en la escuela y graduarse.

Este innovador programa está patrocinado por los distritos escolares independientes de Austin y de Manor, la Alianza E3 y la Cámara de Comercio de Austin.

Para mayor información sobre Una Hora Para los Chicos, nuestros socios, y cómo puedes participar, visita www.1HourForKids.org

Click here to read more.

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Sunday, August 23, 2009
Study: Central Texas nonprofits hurting, holding on
At a time when more people are asking nonprofits for help,53 percent of local charities surveyed recently said they lost donations in the past year.

The Greenlights for NonProfit Success and United Way Capital Area study said 66 of 100 area nonprofits reported an increase in demand for services.

Click here to read more.

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Hundreds Attend Vivir Unidos Party...er Volunteer Fair
Last week , we participated in the Vivir Unidos volunteer fair for Hispanics produced by the overworked and underpaid folks from United Way and Hands on Central Texas.

Click here to read the entire story.

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Monday, June 22, 2009
You can help get Austin kids to college, here's how
Two new collaborations kicking off this month are determined to get more Austin kids ready for college, and they could use your help.

The first is a mentoring project called 1 Hour for Kids, which was created by United Way Capital Area to forge the efforts of eight Austin nonprofits that serve children in their middle school years. The goal is to recruit 400 volunteers by late fall to mentor an at-risk student from one of six Austin middle schools.

Click here to read the entire story.

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Friday, June 19, 2009
United Way reaches out to Central Texas Latinos
When the United Way Capital Area officials noticed that the Hispanic population in Central Texas was ballooning but volunteerism among Latinos seemed to lag behind, they wondered why.

Among the answers they got: Hispanics said they simply hadn't been asked.

Click here to read the entire story.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Buscan a latinos con ganas de ayudar a su comunidad
El objetivo del estudio, cuyos resultados serán presentados el jueves 18, es iniciar una campaña para motivar a que más latinos donen su tiempo como voluntarios y de esta forma “sean parte de la solución a los problemas que enfrenta su comunidad”, señala Armando Rayo, director de Hands On Central Texas, que pertenece a United Way.

Los latinos que participan como voluntarios lo hacen motivados por el hecho de ayudar a los más necesitados. Y la mayoría considera que los principales retos de los latinos son el acceso a la atención médica, la falta de educación financiera y la deserción escolar.

Click here to read the entire story.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Talking with Mando Rayo about tonight's Vivir Unidos / Live United celebration
United Way Capital Area and the Hispanic Engagement Advisory Board are hosting a bilingual, family friendly celebration tonight to bring people together and advance the common good. Vivir Unidos / Live United hopes to connect with Hispanics in Central Texas and motivate us to become involved in our community. Learn how you can become a community volunteer and make a difference in the Austin community.

Click here to read the entire story.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
United Way reaches out to area Hispanics with Vivir Unidos
Vivir Unidos is the product of United Way Capital Area’s efforts, beginning in 2007, to connect with minority communities and draw them into the volunteerism fold. For the most part, minority communities in Central Texas aren’t highly represented on the boards of nonprofit organizations.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, June 12, 2009
JUNE 18: Vivir Unidos! …but what is it?
It’s a movement. It’s an opportunity. It’s an event.

It’s a lot of things. So to clarify, I talked to Armando Rayo of Hands On Central Texas (which is part of United Way Capital Area) about Vivir Unidos.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, June 12, 2009
United Way cuts more staff
United Way Capital Area reduced its staff by 10 percent Thursday, citing a harsh fundraising environment,

Faced with lower revenue and budget concerns, United Way Capital Area was forced to lay off about 10 percent of its staff to keep down expenses, UWCA spokesman John Turner said.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, June 5, 2009
5 Reasons Why We Still Need United Way

1. Collaborations like Success By 6, which brings together more than 30 local nonprofits, community leaders, and concerned businesses to build more quality into the network of early childhood centers. SB6 has helped more than double the number of early childhood centers with a quality rating in two years.
2. Their 24×7 helpline 2-1-1 Texas, which fielded almost 200,000 calls last year from Central Texans in need of assistance, connecting them with help, whether with utility bills, finding a local food bank to escaping Hurricane Ike.
3. The over $140 million UW has raised in the past eight years for the community and nonprofits.

Click here to read the entire story.

June 2009
Film festival lights the way for nonprofit and grassroots films
On Thursday, April 30, the Reel-to-Reality opening event officially began the festival’s submissions process. Representatives from the American Cancer Society, United Way, Capital Area Food Bank and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary discussed the value of film and video in today’s nonprofit community, showed trailers of their films and formally submitted them to the festival.

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

Friday, May 29, 2009
United Way lays off 10 people
United Way Capital Area laid off 20 percent of its staff Thursday, citing sagging grants and donations to the nonprofit.

Click here to read the entire story.

May 27, 2009
The New Philanthropists
We photograph the young, active, and engaged people making a difference in Austin now.

Click here to read the entire story.

Saturday, May 23, 2009
High fives for ‘Give $5’
This news from the ubiquitous Armando Rayo, the deacon of the TacoJournalism evangelical street team. Mando’s day job is getting people involved in the great things United Way does to help out around here.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, May 22, 2009
Give5 Memorial Day Weekend Schedule of Events
Proceeds Weekend Shopping - Shop at the following stores & restaurants from May 23-25th and they will donate a portion of their proceeds to United Way Capital Area!

(This blog reposted our schedule of events. Click here to see the original.)

Friday, May 22, 2009
Give Five Austin
Give5 Memorial Day Weekend Schedule of Events

(This blog reposted our schedule of events. Click here to see the original.)

Friday, May 22, 2009
Kay Marley-Dilworth
The retro burger stand that Austinites either love or hate is doing it up big in this weekend's Give5 fundraiser for United Way Capital Area. In a "go big or go home" move, P. Terry's is donating 100% of their profits on Saturday, May 23rd.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, May 22, 2009
Get out and give a little
In a harsh economic climate, United Way Capital Area is seeking to remind people that every little bit helps — and giving can be as simple as shopping or dining out this Memorial Day holiday.

The nonprofit is presenting its United Way Give5 Campaign from May 23-25, a series of special events at local retailers and restaurants.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, May 22, 2009
Give — even when times are tight
...The United Way Give5 Campaign is doing just that — reminding people that something as fleeting as a $5 bill can make a big impact. To help fund programs that deliver critically needed services to families in Central Texas, United Way Capital Area is asking a lot of people to give a little — just $5.

Click here to read the entire story.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
How to tell your friends to Give5
The United Way Capital Area is a great opportunity to get first-time donors keen on the idea of philanthropy. It’s happening now and through Memorial Day weekend… but they’ll probably take your $5 any time of the year.

Click here to read the entire story.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Got $5? The United Way wants it
The nonprofit recently launched “Give5,” a fundraising campaign that asks people to donate $5 to the United Way. The idea is that lots of little donations can make a big impact.

Click here to read the entire story.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Memorial Day Post
United Way of Central Texas is throwing a mega fundraiser called Give 5, where people are encourage to donate just $5 AND tons of local business are donating 5% of their sales ALL WEEKEND to United Way. Many are also offering discounts, free gifts, and cocktails when you mention the Give 5 program.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, April 24, 2009
United Way Launches Day of Caring

The United Way Capital Area kicked off their spring day of caring program on Friday. The program emphasizes the importance of community service. More than 350 volunteers will work on more than 20 projects throughout Austin.

Watch the video coverage here.

Friday, April 24, 2009
Mayoral candidates clarify positions

Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Brewster McCracken kicked off the United Way of Central Texas Spring Day of Caring on Friday. The event featured more than 350 volunteers working on more than 20 community projects. Representatives from Lee Leffingwell's campaign spoke at the event as well.

Watch the video coverage here.

Monday, April 13, 2009
KUT MORNING UPDATE APRIL 13, 2009

More people are calling the 211 service line to get help from local charities.

To listen to the podcast of the show, click here.

Friday, February 27, 2009
United Way Capital Area president resigns

After eight years of service, David Balch has resigned as the United Way Capital Area president and chief professional officer.

The organization said they have raised more than $140 million and donated thousands of volunteer hours under Balch's administration.

Click here to read the entire story.

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Local United Way president resigns

For eight years, David Balch has been the face of the ever-changing, often-controversial United Way Capital Area.

He's been praised for helping create a 2-1-1 call system and a powerful volunteer center. He's been criticized for cutting off funding to the Boy Scouts and to some basic-needs organizations. He's overseen recent layoffs and struggled to raise money for the agency through economic slumps.

Now, he is moving on. On Wednesday, Balch announced that he had resigned his post as president and is working at Civic Interest, a consulting firmfocused on local issues and new initiatives.

Click here to read the entire story.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Balch, United Way’s local chief, departing

David Balch, United Way Capital Area’s president, has stepped down from the organization.

Balch, who was with UWCA eight years, left to become a partner in Civic Interest LLC, a consulting group that advises public and private entities.

Click here to read the entire story.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
United Way executive director resigns

United Way Capital Area Executive Director David Balch has resigned.

Balch spent eight years at the organization and was responsible for transitioning the nonprofit from a workplace fundraising coordinator to an issues-based charity focused on issues such as education and volunteerism.

Click here to read the entire story.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Education forum tonight leads off Hispanic Quality of Life study

Chances are you’ve received one of those email blasts crisscrossing cyberspace about tonight’s debut forum that is part of the city’s new Hispanic Quality of Life Initiative.

More than 1,000 Hispanics in Austin surveyed in 2008 (for the United Way Capital Area’s Culture Connections & Community Engagement Initiative) overwhelmingly rated education as their community’s most pressing concern.

Click here to read the entire story.

Thursday, February 19, 2009
United Way wins grant

United Way Capital Area recently won a $250,000, three-year grant that will allow the nonprofit to strengthen its volunteer programs.

The grant was awarded by the national Hands On Network and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The money will be used to bolster the efforts of Hands on Central Texas, a United Way program designed to mobilize local volunteers.

Click here to read the entire story.

Monday, February 2, 2009
ABJ After Hours - United Way Capital Area

Janell Fotovich, Heather Mason and Charlene Hamlet of Applied Materials’ Women’s Professional Development Network, which collected gifts for the Trinity Child Development Center.

See the photo and original article here.

Saturday, January 24, 2009
Preschool gets makeover

United Way teamed up with Ace Hardware to grant the Northeast Austin preschool a $10,000, one-day makeover aimed at increasing the quality of education the school can provide to its 66 young learners.

United Way provided the planning, and Ace brought the manpower as more than 60 Ace store owners from around the country worked together to build cabinets, restore furnishings and construct a playground safe for infants and toddlers.

The preschool, part of PromiseLand Church next door, is the 28th in Austin to receive such a makeover since 2006 under a city grant to a United Way program called Success by 6.

Click here to read the entire story.

Saturday, January 24, 2009
East Austin preschool gets a $10,000 upgrade

An East Austin preschool is getting a facelift, courtesy of the United Way.

Volunteers landscaped the grounds, built a playground and picnic area outside, and painted and installed shelving, cabinets and windows.

Click here to read the entire story.

Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hundreds remember MLK

In honor of Martin Luther King Junior, hundreds took part in the MLK Day of Service in Austin. They volunteered their time through several community improvement projects. They gathered at Huston-Tillotson University to hear speeches and testimonials of the power of Doctor King's message.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, January 16, 2009
Organization offering free tax prepartion to low-income Central Texans

Community Tax Centers in and around the city of Austin have started their free service to help low-income Central Texans get their taxes prepared for free.

There are 10 locations including sites in Bastrop, Del Valle and Round Rock. Taxpayers can call United Way's 2-1-1 line for more information about locations, opening hours and what documents to bring.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, January 16, 2009
Community Tax Centers to return $26 million in refunds

Foundation Communities expect to return $26 million in tax refunds to Central Texans this year by preparing free tax returns.

To find out more about who qualifies, tax help locations, hours, and the documents you'll need to file, visit www.communitytaxcenters.org or call 211.

Click here to read the entire story.

Thursday, January 15, 2009
Community Tax Centers to return $26 million in refunds

Community Tax Centers expect to return $26 million in tax refunds to 20,000 Central Texas families this year. Taxpayers can call United Way's 2-1-1 line for more information about locations, opening hours and what documents to bring, or visit www.communitytaxcenters.org.

Click here to read the entire story.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Rayo: Do your part on MLK Day

For many, the upcoming MLK Day of Service has a particular place in the history of our country. The significance of this day of remembrance and celebration of the life and message of Dr. King, coming just three days before the swearing in of the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, cannot be underestimated.

It is forty years since the assassination of Dr. King in Memphis, Tennessee. In many ways, the recent election result feels like the end of a long and harrowing journey for our country. The paradox being that at the same time, our incoming presidents' inauguration is also the start of something new. The start of change. The start of hope. Real hope renewed at a profound level for our citizens' and our country.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, January 2, 2009
Nonprofits to feel squeeze from reduced giving, increased need

United Way Capital Area, which suffered small job cuts in 2008 because of a decrease in funds raised, is working during the down economy to build support with the city and the banking community for a new financial literacy program that it hopes to launch next year, said Emily De Maria, senior director of United Way Capital Area community development.

Even as they spend more time reaching out, nonprofits are reevaluating their operations. Some charities are seeing the importance of spending limited funds on additional training or online fundraising programs.

Click here to read the entire story.

Friday, January 2, 2009
Resolution Run designed to help get the New Year started off right

Austin Mayor Will Wynn and members of the Mayor's Fitness Council today joined a number of Austinites for a run around Lady Bird Lake.

"To eat better and get more exercise are two of the most common New Year's resolutions that people make," said Wynn. "What better way to get started down the path to successfully implementing at least one of those resolutions than to participate in the 2009 Resolution Run?"

Most recently, the Council has turned its attention to area organizations in an effort to provide employees an avenue for improving their personal health and fitness at their worksites. To date, eight Austin-area entities have been recognized as Certified Partners of the Mayor's Fitness Program. They include the City of Austin, Austaco Ltd., Eckert Insurance Co., Live Strong Foundation, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, the Seton Family of Hospitals, Silicon Laboratories Inc., and United Way Capital Area.

Click here to read the entire story.