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As 2008 is coming to a close we appreciate all the ways you already support United Way Capital Area by Living United. Whether you Give, Advocate or Volunteer, thank you for your help. You are making a difference. Will you consider making a tax-deductible year-end donation to help us continue our mission? When you support United Way Capital Area, you’re helping us build a better Central Texas by:– Helping children and youth achieve their potential through education– Helping people move towards financial independence– Improving peoples health– Advancing the common good around the building blocks for a better life, funding programs and services in Education, Financial Stability and Health As Central Texas is changing we’re changing with it, to remain as effective as possible. We’re trying to provide solutions to our communities issues, that not just manage problems, this goes without saying, but provide solutions for individuals and families to empower and insulate themselves against the economic ups and downs. Please take this opportunity to make a gift, any amount will help us create the change we all want to see in our community, www.unitedwayaustin.org/donate Remember, all gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Again, thank you for supporting United Way Capital Area!

The Community Action Network announced its 2008 Butler Award Winners. One of the winners is Ann Stafford, who is among our most active volunteers and supporters here at United Way. Ann Stafford, community affairs manager for Spansion, received the bridge builder award for her work promoting greater private investments in health and human services. Congratulations, Ann! Congratulations also go to one of our funded agencies, Family Eldercare, who also received a Butler Award for its Summer Fan Drive. The Butler Awards were established in 2006 in honor of Fred Butler who retired as Executive Director of Community Action Network after 11 years of service.

NPR did a great story on 2-1-1 in Los Angeles, highlighting the work they do and challenges they face. 2-1-1 Texas is run here by United Way Capital Area. It’s one of the ways we provide an essential service every day to Central Texans. Connecting people in need to the services available to them. It’s quick and it’s a free call. Calls for help here have increased by 17% over last year, so more and more of our neighbors cannot make ends meet. We need your help more than ever. Check out the story here. and more about 2-1-1 Texas here.

Leadership Giver Myndi Garrett explains why now, more than ever, is the most important time to give to United Way to make a difference in Central Texas.

Form the ABJ, another worrying sign that more and more Central Texas families are struggling to make ends meet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reporting that food-stamp participation in Texas jumped from 2.68 million individuals in August to 2.95 million in September. As the economic hard times continue, it is likely that the number will continue to increase, officials say. “Texas ranks 47th in the nation in the number of food-secure families, meaning we have more people wondering where their next meal will come from than almost any other state,” said Celia Hagert, senior policy analyst at the Texas Center for Public Policy Priorities, an Austin-based think tank. “That’s roughly 1.3 million households, and that number will undoubtedly swell as the full effects of the recession hit Texas families. We need to shore up the Food Stamp Program to keep more families from going hungry during this crisis.” Nationally, food stamp participation reached a record high in September with more than 31.5 million people receiving the benefit. The increase was driven by economic factors, as well as by the impact of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Previously, participation peaked in November 2005 with more than 29.85 million served by food stamps nationwide in the wake of three hurricanes.

Topic: Assisted Living & Other Housing Optionswith Suzanne Oliver, LCSW Questions answered: What are housing and community options? What are the differences? How can you tell it is a good facility? What is covered? When is it time? How can you begin this conversation? How do you make the transition? Date and Time: Tuesday, December 16th; 12pm-1pmCost: Free! (Thanks to a City of Austin grant.) Registration:Carin Yeh at 512-483-3583or email cyeh@familyeldercare.orgWebsite: www.inhomefamilyeldercare.org

Approximately 60 volunteers made up of parents, children, grandparents and friends came together to volunteer their time at Wesley School during United Way Capital Area and Hands On Central Texas “Family Day of Service” held on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The Child Care Facility Improvement Project managed by United Way Capital Area Success By 6 Program, helped enhance the quality of Wesley School who serves seventy-two children ages 5 weeks to after-schoolers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The volunteers cleaned and painted classrooms, constructed a tricycle path, constructed a playground area including installing landscape timbers, filling sandboxes and tearing down old playground equipment. The event kicked-off with a continental breakfast and a brief program. The speakers included Laura Smith, Director of Wesley School and Rochelle Carlin, Wesley School Board President; David Balch, President of United Way Capital Area, and Police Officers Roman Lopez and Jimmy Diaz of the City of Austin Police Department who talked about crime prevention and neighborhood safety awareness. The Police Officers showcased the newest squad car to the children explaining what the police do and how to stay safe. The children sat in the car with the lights and sirens going and were given sticker badges to remember their day. We would like to express very special thanks to the “SHW Group” who did a fantastic job in constructing the playground area, Bonner Brown who managed all of the activities throughout the day, and to Wesley School for partnering with United Way Capital Area […]

Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (ATCMHMR) hosts a legislative forum open to the public. This is your chance to speak directly to members of the Travis County Delegation to discuss concerns and ideas dealing specifically with behavioral health and developmental disabilities. This free event features a panel discussion by members of the Travis County Delegation, moderated by ATCMHMR Executive Director, David Evans. The forum will cover: Continuation of funding for Mental Health Crisis Services Funding to address service capacity and expansion for children and adult behavioral health and developmental disability services (Currently Travis County has over 800 individuals on the wait list for mental health services and 1,300 individuals on the interest list for developmental disabilities services) Promotion for increase of Medicaid rates and general revenue to allow for competitive wages, utilize technologies, increase medical personnel and other basic services to provide quality care, mental health and developmental disability services Identifying resources for much-needed state hospital facilities and services Finding community based alternatives and treatment for adult and juvenile offenders with brain-based disorders. Contact Erika Canales at (512) 440-4063 for more information.

In this recent article at CNN.com, the leaders of six national organizations talk about aspects of charitable giving, and offer ways you can give back to the community if you are short on cash this year. Consider volunteering as a family. Community service is an effective way to teach children about social issues, to show them a different perspective of the world, to advance the common good and to understand that the world is a better place when we care for one another. While enjoying quality family time, you’re also teaching positive values, creating a new generation of volunteers and increasing your family’s commitment to community. Read the entire article here.

In Travis County 1 in 5 households is caring for elderly residents. By 2015, the number of older adults in Travis County needing assistance is expected to increase by 45%. By the year 2040, those over 65 years of age will account for 27% of the population of Central Texas, compared to 11% in 2000. Who will take care of us? Watch this informative video from Family ElderCare and find out: