 |
|
In the Spotlight
|
President’s Cabinet Experts Make an Impact
The ideas are free-flowing and come from all directions. This could be any executive meeting in Austin. Yet those around this table are making an impact on the community as part of the President’s Cabinet, a group of experts made up of retirees, those between jobs and others that advise the management team at UWCA.
Chuck LaDow, a troubleshooting call center expert formerly with Tandem Computers, Apple and Dell, joined up only four months ago and is already helping to streamline and grow UWCA’s call center operations. “2-1-1 Texas is growing from a single focus to a multi-focused program,” said LaDow. “As more agencies realize the capacity and expertise of 2-1-1 more requests for services are coming in, as well as more funding.”
LaDow’s expertise in call centers spans the globe from Texas to India and he’s been recognized repeatedly for his efforts to dramatically improve customer satisfaction. His experience fits well as UWCA is expanding and taking on calls for health care assistance through Central Health’s Medical Assistance program (MAP). LaDow is working directly with Kay Euresti Garza, UWCA’s 2-1-1 Texas Director, to best integrate and train staff to take on these new efforts.
Click here to read more.
|
Getting Connected
Leadership Seminar for Early Childhood Professionals
Friday, June 25 – 8 am – 12:15 pm
Featuring Dr. Barbara Davis, UT – Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Location: United Way Capital Area, Waterloo rooms
This session will address language development in young children and the multitude of factors influencing a child’s successful language acquisition.
Hosts for this seminar are UWCA’s Success By 6 program and the Women’s Leadership Council.
|
Your Local United Way in Action
Saving money is tough for most people and even tougher for low- or moderate-income working families and individuals. UWCA recently launched a new program called Bank On Central Texas to help Austinites keep more of their hard-earned money by opening a checking, savings or debit card account.
Bank On Central Texas, a community initiative of UWCA and PeopleFund, will aid families and individuals to both open starter financial accounts, as well as gain access to financial education courses. Participating financial partners will offer free or low-cost accounts, will accept alternate forms of ID including the Mexican Matricula card, and will work with those who have had a troubled banking history.
“The 47,000 unbanked households in the Austin area pay between $230 and $918 each just to cash paychecks each year,” said Emily DeMaria, VP of Community Development at UWCA. “Opening an account through the Bank On Central Texas program will save them money, help them better manage their finances and ensure the safety of their hard-earned dollars.”
Bank On Central Texas is currently partnering with financial institutions throughout Austin to provide free or low-cost checking, savings or debit accounts, as well as other services. The program plans to expand to other areas in Central Texas in the future.
Eloy Villafranca, Director, Bank on California Program and Emily De Maria, United Way Capital Area Vice President, Community Development - at the June 1 launch
of Bank On Central Texas
Bank On Central Texas is partnering with financial institutions throughout Austin to provide free or low-cost checking, savings or debit accounts, as well as other services.
Participating in the program is:
- Bank of America
- Capital One Bank
- First Convenience Bank
- Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union
- Mango Financial
- Velocity Credit Union
- Wells Fargo
Participating bank branches are located throughout Austin and can be found on the Bank On Central Texas website, www.bankoncentraltexas.org or simply by calling 2-1-1.
|
Friends and Partners
UWCA is piloting a new way to give by teaming with Austin-based GivShop. Launching soon, Austin-based GivShop will link consumers with deals of up to 80% off local products and activities. With every purchase you make, GivShop will donate 50% of the profits to UWCA or other local nonprofits in the community. Sign up now before the launch in early July and be entered to win two, 3-day passes to the Austin City Limits Music Festival! Giving doesn’t get any easier or more fun – so tell your friends. Why just shop when you can GivShop!
To sign-up now, click here.
The June 1 launch of Bank on Central Texas could only have become a reality with the help of many people and organizations who spent nearly two years planning this initiative. Generous support came from IBM, Bank of America, Capital One Bank, Charles Schwab, Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union, Mango Financial, MPower Foundation and Wells Fargo.
We would like to thank the following organizations for generously providing pro bono support and guidance throughout the implementation of Bank On Central Texas.
- City of Austin
- Cultural Strategies
- FDIC
- Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
- Financial Fitness Greater Austin
- Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
- First Convenience Bank
- Foundation Communities
- Hispanic Austin Leadership
- SUMA Orchard Social Marketing
- Texas Appleseed
- Texas Gas Service
- Velocity Credit Union
|
|
Living United
“I remember making my first United Way pledge when I was a high school youth counselor at a runaway shelter. The agency was a recipient of United Way funds, so I learned at a young age the importance of the United Way and its positive impact. I like that United Way provides a vehicle for all people within the community to support others through volunteerism and financial contributions. I also hope that my involvement helps teach my children the importance of giving back and helping others for the betterment of the entire community.”
–Beth Vivio
UWCA President’s Cabinet Member
|
Your Impact
In 2009, the Buena Vista Foundation issued a bold challenge to UWCA – raise $100,000 for Success By 6 (SB6) in a year and they would match pledges of $1,000 or more, dollar for dollar. In May, UWCA reached its $100,000 goal by increasing leadership donations, as well as grant dollars.
The UWCA’s Women’s Leadership Council was integral in educating and motivating others to make new or increased donations. Members of our Tocqueville Society also helped us reach our number by making contributions directly to SB6.
SB6, a program of UWCA, is helping to create lasting change in how children are prepared for school. By 2015, the group’s goal is to have 70% of Central Texas children enter kindergarten school-ready.
You can still support United Way Capital Area by giving generously. Please click here to give now.
|
Ask Debbie
How can we give when our businesses and families are struggling?
“United Way Capital Area understands all Central Texans are feeling a strain on their finances. And at the same time, there is an increased need for health and human services. For those with the resources, now is the best time to give, when demand for services is so high. Your gift to United Way Capital Area is appreciated more than ever as thousands of Central Texans and many nonprofit agencies depend on us to meet community needs.”
- Debbie Bresette, President,
United Way Capital Area
Let me know what's on your mind.
By the Numbers
The 47,000 Austin area households that lack a checking or a savings account are likely to have these characteristics:
- Female head of household
- Earns less than $30K a year
- A minority under 34 years of age
This population often turns to high-priced alternative financial service providers, such as check cashers or payday lenders, to cash a check, get a loan or obtain a money order. As a result, these families have less money to save or to use to pay for necessities.
To learn more about what UWCA is doing through Bank on Central Texas to improve Financial Stability, click here.
|
Find us on your networks:
BE AN
ADVOCATE
Forward this e-mail to your friends using the link provided below, and they will have the option to subscribe.
To stop receiving this newsletter, use the SafeUnsubscribe link, also found below.
|
|
|
|
