Play and Learn Graduation Celebration
Please help us host a graduation celebration for the children in the WGN Play and Learn Groups. On Wednesday, May 28, at 4:00 p.m. we will gather to present the children with a bookshelf, books and a graduation certificate in recognition of their participation in the program. We will also serve cake, snacks and punch to the children and their families.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Susan Marler at (512) 225-0371 or susan.marler@unitedwaycapitalarea.org
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I’m Gloria Neunaber.
As Director of Trinity Child Development Center for 15 years, I know firsthand the importance of providing high-quality education to young children. Frankly, it can make all the difference in them succeeding in life. But I’ve also witnessed the increasing demands and diminishing resources available to centers like ours, which focus on serving low-income families.
That’s why I’m so thankful for United Way Capital Area and their early childhood initiative, Success By 6.
A couple of years ago, Success By 6 took aim at childcare centers like Trinity CDC—centers that were doing good work and serving vulnerable populations, but which didn’t have the resources to achieve and maintain national accreditation. Accreditation is how childcare centers can demonstrate to the community their quality, and how parents can choose the best place to send their children every day.
With this in mind, Success By 6 launched the “Childcare Facilities Improvement Project,” which aims to improve childcare centers across Central Texas by improving facilities.
Once United Way selected Trinity CDC as a recipient of the Childcare Facilities Improvement Project, things happened pretty quickly.
Over the course of several weekends, slews of volunteers—including corporate volunteers, ordinary citizens, and Boy Scouts—descended upon our center, carrying with them drills, hammers, paint cans, and enthusiasm. They rebuilt safety railings inside the classrooms, made minor repairs throughout the center, replaced a couple of broken windows, and constructed a new wheelchair ramp and infant sandbox. They also built a “tricycle garage” in the yard and laid down a brand-new rubber racetrack for those tricycles. They replaced playground sand (a favorite of local cats) with wood chips and remodeled a large play structure into a performance stage. They installed an outdoor water fountain and a new, safer playscape.
Their efforts were amazing and inspiring.
But the proof is in the pudding. When our kids saw their new facilities, their eagerness to start using their new playground and classrooms was impossible to contain. But even better, they saw first-hand what collaboration, volunteerism, and working together as a community means to agencies that are desperately trying to make a difference.
Why United Way?
Research shows that every $1 invested in quality early childhood education saves society up to $17 down the road—in remedial education, workforce training, public assistance, etc. In other words, investing in our youngest residents is good for everyone.
United Way Capital Area, and its community-wide early childcare initiative Success By 6, has identified Education as one of its primary focus areas. By bringing together more than 80 community groups and public agencies, Success By 6 has created an innovative approach to improving the quality of childcare centers across the region.
After just two years of Success By 6’s “Quality Child Care Mentoring Collaboration,” the number of quality-rated childcare centers in Travis County has more than doubled—from 14% two years ago to almost 30% in early 2008.
Find out how United Way's Success By 6 initiative is working to improve education in Central Texas.
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$22.8m in Financial Stability Impact
The Community Tax Centers-run by Foundation Communities, supported by United Way Capital Area, linked to by 2-1-1, and staffed in part by volunteers from Hands On Central Texas-wrapped up another record-breaking tax season on April 15. We are proud to work with Foundation Communities to help low-income families file their taxes and receive their tax refund.
Final 2008 Tax Season Results
Number of returns prepared: 17,284
Refunds received: $22,848,421
In 2008, CTC also launched several new initiatives and expanded existing programs. As part of Foundation Communities' efforts to promote asset building, CTC conducted 44 Financial Coaching sessions, opened 25 Individual Development Accounts, and prepared over 250 FAFSAs (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
United Way Capital Area helped finance the operating costs of the Community Tax Center, as well as funding 20 of the 25 Individual Development Accounts.
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Recent Events
Two big United Way events took place in April: The Spring Day of Caring and the Spirit of Caring Celebration and Awards.
Day of Caring
presented by Freescale Semiconductor
On Friday, April 25, more than 400 volunteers took part in the annual Spring Day of Caring-a city-wide volunteer day hosted by United Way and Hands On Central Texas. This included the largest-ever team of volunteers from a single company: National Instruments showed up with 120 employees.
In addition to cleaning up public parks, installing safety equipment at childcare centers, sorting food at the Food Bank, and a dozen other projects, volunteers helped construct and paint 15 new "MLK Peace Benches." The benches feature inspiring scenes and words that embody the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. The benches, part of a year-long project to build and donate 100 benches, will be placed at community centers and nonprofit organizations around Austin.
Check out this short video, compiled by the enormous and enthusiastic team of volunteers from National Instruments.
Click on these pictures to view a Flickr slideshow of the day.
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Spirit of Caring Celebration
sponsored by
The annual Spirit of Caring Celebration and Awards took place Monday, April 28, at the beautiful new Long Center for the Performing Arts. More than 300 people showed up to see United Way honor companies and individuals who are committed to building a better Central Texas—for good.
Winners of the Spirit of Caring Awards this year were:
- President's Award - Dick Moeller
- Community Catalyst Award - Obed Franco
- Volunteer of the Year - Trisa Thompson
- The Spirit of Caring Award - National Instruments
For a quick rundown of the winners' accomplishments and contributions, click here.
Thank you to all of the nominees, winners, companies, and individuals who demonstrate, everyday, that Central Texas is a caring, compassionate community.
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Childcare Study
In April, United Way released a study entitled "The Economic Impact of Formal Childcare in Travis County." The study, commissioned by Success By 6 and conducted by TXP, examined how the childcare industry affects the local economy, both directly and indirectly. The study, the first of its kind conducted in the Austin area, drew some startling conclusions, not the least of which was: Formal childcare has a more than $2 billion effect on the local economy, outpacing even the high-tech software industry.
To read the full report and executive summary, download the study here.
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Docubloggers
In January, United Way "media guru" Evan Norman filmed the MLK Day of Service, and then turned his footage into a mini-documentary about the event. In April, that mini-documentary was chosen to appear on Docubloggers, the KLRU-TV show that features local stories about local issues.
Thanks to Evan Norman, Hands On Central Texas, and everyone who participated in the MLK Day of Service.
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Riddle
Q: What is coming in June that will inspire you to Live United?
A: Answer coming in ... well, June.
For a sneak peak, click here.
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4th Annual United Way Capital Area Speakers Event
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Financial Fitness
The first ever Financial Fitness Greater Austin concluded on April 27. United Way Capital Area is a proud partner in this effort with the Alliance for Economic Inclusion, Senator Kirk Watson's office, Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, and more than 65 other organizations. It was a week of financial education for all ages, from kindergarteners up through older adults. While the week of classes has concluded, the website lives on with great information about how to be financially fit.
Check it out at www.financialfitnessaustin.org
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United Way in the News
- "Childcare contributes $2 billion to local economy, report says"
Austin Business Journal - April 15, 2008
Read the full story here.
- "Childcare's economic impact"
KUT Radio - April 16, 2008
See the full story here.
- "Success By 6 grant goes to Eagle Scout"
Austin American-Statesman - April 22, 2008
- "Reflecting on the Dream" (Documentary)
"Docubloggers" on KLRU-TV - April 24, 2008
Watch the documentary here.
- "Texas Mutual Wins United Way Employee Giving Award"
Workercompensation.com - April 24, 2008
Read the entire story here.
- "United Way honors National Instruments"
Austin American-Statesman - April 25, 2008
Read the full story here
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Saturday, May 3
Heather Brown - State Farm Insurance