Getting Connected

• 2-1-1 Texas partners with the Texas Department of Agriculture for their Summer Food Service Program.
  2-1-1 Information and Referral Specialists direct callers to their nearest Summer Food Program meal location and the times and dates when meals are available. Nutritious meals are available at no charge for children age 18 and younger.
• 2-1-1 Texas also will help those who do not have or can not afford a fan or air-conditioner by providing information and referral to Family Eldercare’s 20th Annual Summer Fan Drive. This program provides fans and air conditioners as well as other critical services to low-income older adults, adults with disabilities and families with children.

Your Local United Way in Action

A busy MBA student at UT, Janet Calhoun helps students with math, English and history by volunteering with Breakthrough Austin’s mentoring program. In its first year of existence, United Way’s 1 Hour for Kids program has registered more than 500 prospective volunteer mentors and is rapidly deploying them throughout the city with the help of our partners such as Breakthrough. These mentors work with vulnerable youth in middle schools in an effort to increase graduation rates. Research shows that when students have at least one supportive adult in their life are almost twice as likely to graduate as those who do not.

"I don't have a lot of free time in business school, so volunteering at Breakthrough has been a perfect way for me to utilize my passion in education and work with students," Janet said. "I have learned just a few hours a week is a very rewarding experience for both the students and me. I have also learned that I don't know what is 'cool' in high school anymore -- the students constantly refer to new trends that I have never heard of!"

Janet also shares personal experiences which often are a help to students. "A few months ago, I helped a student write a paper on South Korea. The student was very surprised when I told him I had been to South Korea and asked me a lot of questions to help with his paper. He was really excited that he could use me as a reference, and we were able to complete a draft of the paper that afternoon."

This spring, Janet will be pairing with a 7th grader to support the student in the application process for a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. This nationally competitive award provides six years of expertise and financial support to tailor a personalized path for high-achieving middle school students. For Janet, supporting a student to reach their highest potential is itself the reward. "I love the expression on a student's face when they learn something new. It is such an exciting feeling!"

Friends and Partners

Who oversees the operations and finances of United Way?

“The operating budget of United Way Capital Area is audited by an independent accounting firm and carefully reviewed by volunteers who serve on the United Way Finance Committee and Board of Directors. Our United Way is governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors whose members are respected community and business leaders. Although we consider guidelines set forth by United Way Worldwide, all policy and funding decisions are made locally. The community volunteers who lead United Way reflect our community’s diversity and represent a wealth of professions. A knowledgeable professional staff works closely with these volunteers, to handle United Way's daily operations.”

- Debbie Bresette, President,
United Way Capital Area

Let me know what's on your mind.

• they received 4,180 nutritional meals;
• 846 had their basic living needs met or exceeded;
• 1,371 are now engaged in community activities.