Today, United Way for Greater Austin (UWATX) introduces the new and improved Young Leaders Society (YLS), a diverse group of young professionals under the age of 40 who give or raise $1,000 annually to support UWATX. YLS unites the professional and social aspects of being a young professional with the intrinsic need to shape our community. – Brendan Day, Baker Botts For a few months, the Founding Committee and I have been getting a jump start by volunteering our time with students in UWATX Target Graduation – a program focused on keeping middle school students on the path to graduation. Moving forward, YLS members will also raise money and spread the word about the critical middle school years. The Founding Committee of YLS is made up of 15 dynamic professionals from a cross-section of industries in the corporate, civic and nonprofit sectors. All accomplished and passionate individuals in their own right, they are joining together to extend their talents, time and money to help prepare Austin students for success in college, work and life. YLS members engage with students at Webb, Decker and Mendez Middle Schools learning to be volunteer leaders and are encouraged to leverage their networks to mobilize more supporters for the Target Graduation program. Whether it is a campus clean-up, a tutoring session, or a mentoring opportunity, YLS members seek to inspire and shape new leaders in Greater Austin. Through various professional development and fun networking opportunities, the Founding Committee is working to expand YLS and work with other young leaders […]
Read MoreTeaching your kids about philanthropy
This week marks Global Youth Service Day – honoring the young individuals that give back to our unique communities in various ways. And while for many the word “philanthropist” implies someone with millions of dollars available to donate, at United Way for Greater Austin we believe that anyone can be a philanthropist – especially the younger generations. So as Global Youth Service Day celebrates and mobilizes millions of young people who improve their communities each day of the year through service, it reminds us to use this as an opportunity to help children learn about giving, the importance about helping others in need and how they can help support their community. The benefits of actively fostering children’s charitable impulses are enormous. Besides helping counter the overdeveloped “I want, I want” impulse, it gives kids a powerful boost in self-esteem to realize they can make a different in someone’s life. To help children recognize how they can be a philanthropist, consider the suggestions below. Be hands on. Most people tend to associate charity with giving money, yet for many children, it’s hard to comprehend the abstract concept of donating money to a charitable cause. Instead, think about having your children join you when you volunteer at the soup kitchen or when you donate clothing to the Goodwill. Also when choosing a project, try to align with your child’s interests. The more your child relates to the process, the more likely they are to have an enjoyable experience and independently consider […]
Read MoreVolunteer Project Leaders show grown-ups how it’s done
In the early spring days of March and April, classes of Volunteer Project Leaders (VPL) at Decker and Mendez Middle Schools – 30 middle school students making a difference in their community – directed staff, administrators and founding members of the UWATX Young Leaders Society (YLS) in their first campus clean-up projects. The Decker VPL students, using the skills they’d obtained through their VPL training, instructed us through a detailed gardening project to beautify their campus: we raked old flowerbeds, planted fresh seeds and mulched the school garden. Volunteers worked tirelessly on that sunny day and there was never a dull moment as one of our esteemed young leaders, Mr. Juan Wah, hummed and sang his rendition of Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe. The project ended with a student-facilitated recap – allowing us the opportunity to discuss everyone’s favorite part of the day. The VPL class at Mendez Middle School achieved their big milestone just a few days later: organizing and participating in their own campus clean-up project. The VPL class, along with volunteers from YLS, covered a ton of ground as we trekked across campus in search of unwanted, miscellaneous trash. The Mendez VPL students set an incentive for the person who found the most bizarre piece of trash – a gift certificate. Among the many items found the contenders were: a “Will you go out with me?” note a car floor mat a mouse pad a smoke alarm several carpet squares a dismembered sock monkey. The dismembered […]
Read MoreHands On makes a $2M impact
Hands On Central Texas makes a $2M impact from United Way for Greater Austin Last year, our Hands On Central Texas program, Austin’s largest volunteer network, made quite a difference, and here are just a few highlights: Our in-house team of two volunteer managers coordinated 13,000 volunteers – that’s 92,000 hours of doing good Through our Hands On database, approximately 10,000 additional volunteers got connected to meaningful projects We worked with more than 500 organizations, businesses and groups We adapted our Volunteer Project Leader program for middle school students and started classes at Webb Middle School. Our first class of students did so much good work, we expanded it to Decker Middle School and Mendez Middle School – the other campuses served by Middle School Matters. We did the math: based on the value of an hour of volunteering, for only the hours we directly managed, Hands On Central Texas made an impact of more than $2 million! We couldn’t have done it with out you: we – our team alongside the companies, individuals and organizations that came out for our Days of Caring and other projects – made Austin greater. Thank you!
Read More[INFOGRAPHIC] Philanthropy in Austin
![[INFOGRAPHIC] Philanthropy in Austin](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/AmplifyATX_blog_feat-1.png)
Download a larger version. Learn more about our impact, Play To Learn, Learn Where You Earn or Middle School Matters or get more informed about philanthropy by looking at some of our sources: Chronicle of Philanthropy: philanthropy.com Corporation for National and Community Service: volunteeringinamerica.gov The Daily Beast: thedailybeast.com Global Impact: givingpartner.charity.org UWATX Impact Calculator: uwatx.org/impact Independant Sector: independentsector.org Association of Fundraising Professionals: afpnet.org
Read More14th Annual MLK Blvd. Clean Up honors Martin Luther King, Jr.
This past Saturday State Rep. Dawnna Dukes held the 14th Annual MLK Blvd. Clean Up to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each year, this service project brings together hundreds of volunteers who dedicate time to beautifying the Austin street bearing King’s name. “MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service, a holiday that calls for all of us to work together to strengthen our community,” said Dukes. “I’m so grateful to see all of these empowered volunteers here today, dedicating their time and energy to honor Dr. King’s vision – a ‘Beloved Community.’” This year’s day of service was solely dedicated to the beatification of MLK Blvd. United Way for Greater Austin (UWATX) supported the family-friendly event by recruiting 400+ volunteers through its volunteer program, Hands On Central Texas. Total volunteer hours for the day were 1,260! That’s equivalent to $27,606.60 in volunteer time given back to the community! “Our vision is for Greater Austin to be a resilient, innovative, philanthropic, creative and thriving community for all,” said UWATX President Debbie Bresette. “What is happening here today supports this vision. I think Dr. King would be proud of Austin and the direction we’re headed.” Volunteers gathered at J.J. Seabrook Park at 9 am for registration, supplies distribution and an official kickoff led by Rep. Dukes, Mayor Leffingwell and Huston-Tillotson President Dr. Larry Earvin. After the kick-off, volunteers dispersed along MLK Blvd. to pick up trash and […]
Read MoreUWATX named major beneficiary of new Austin international music festival!
We’re so excited to announce that UWATX was named the major beneficiary of a new world music festival that will take place April 6 and 7, 2013 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in downtown Austin! The festival, called WobeonFest, will feature internationally acclaimed musicians, including Angelique Kidjo and Collie Buddz, as well as local artists. An outdoor main stage will feature acts, flanked by a grassy lawn and international food and beverage vendors. A global bazaar will spread across the expansive Zocalo area of the MACC and will feature a marketplace of merchandise, artists and cultural organizations that reflect the global nature of the festival. UWATX is teaming up with WobeonFest to assist in organizing and hosting the first-time festival AND we will receive a portion of the proceeds from the music festival! UWATX was chosen as a festival partner because of our dedication to ensuring Austin continues to thrive, which aligns with WobeonFest’s vibe – a diverse and culturally dynamic event. “We are delighted to be working with WobeonFest,” said Debbie Bresette, President of UWATX. “The festival provides an excellent vehicle to bring greater awareness of the issues faced by our diverse community, and to raise additional resources to help us serve its needs.” Stay tuned for information about tickets and volunteer opportunities! A limited number of on-site vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available. Up-to-date festival information and artist lineup can be found a www.wobeonfest.com. For more details, please contact christa.berry@uwatx.org.
Read MoreGet involved in National Mentoring Month locally
January is National Mentoring Month and what a great time to either get involved in a mentoring program or thank someone who has mentored you over the years! Established in 2002, National Mentoring Month celebrates mentoring and the evidence-based, positive effect it can have on our youth. At United Way for Greater Austin, our Target Graduation program connects middle school students to the mentoring services they desperately need. In the 2011-2012 school year, 350 students from three local middle schools received mentoring services as a results of UWATX funding and coordination. Studies have shown that: Middle school students with at least one supportive adult in their lives are almost twice as likely to graduate high school. Mentored teens are 46% less likely to get into drugs, 59% get better grads and 73% raise their goals. Mentoring has a positive impact on the number of unexcused absences, increases students’ attitudes about school, decreases the incidences of disruption in class and increases the likelihood of being engaged in what is going on in the classroom. Mentors can change the course of a young person’s life – they can provide support in education, in day-to-day living and even in the workplace. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, here are several local organizations that can connect you to that perfect opportunity! Hands On Central Texas – Connects the community to all types of volunteer opportunities, including mentorship opportunities. Communities in Schools – One-on-one mentoring and tutoring programs available on several campuses across AISD […]
Read MoreHands On focuses on holiday gifts
Dates: November 16, 2012 – December 19, 2012 Hands On Central Texas, UWATX’s volunteer program, is working with our community partners to support Austin families this holiday season. Please join our effort in fundraising the following items for the following groups and individuals: Gift Cards for Financial Education Middle School Uniforms & Sweaters Playground Adoption & Clean-Up Tablet Covers & Screen Protectors for Success By 6 Pre-Teens to Young Adults Book Drive Teacher Care Kits Turkey Donations to Local Food Pantry The Basics: Diapers, Wipes and Underwear (socks, too!) Culturally Sensitive Thanksgiving Dinner Drive for Local Middle School Students This is a family-friendly volunteer opportunity that your faith-based organization, school leadership group and neighborhood can rally behind. This citywide Holiday Drive is an example of United Way’s goal to build philanthropy in our community by providing both giving and volunteer opportunities, allowing everyone to be a philanthropist regardless of how much they earn or where they live. The act of giving binds us all together and joins us in the shared mission of making sure our community continues to thrive. Holiday Drives can be organized individually or as a team. This opportunity to help continues through Wednesday, December 19th. Find out more. Photo courtesy of cwwycoff1 via Creative Commons.
Read MoreLocal Holiday Assistance Programs: How you can help
Each year around the holidays, nonprofits, faith-based communities and community partners come together to contribute to holiday joy for the most needy in our community. Programs range from holiday meals (like yesterday’s Feast of Sharing, put on by H-E-B) and food boxes to holiday gifts for children. And whether you’re in need of these resources or you’d like to contribute, you can just call 2-1-1, a service of our Navigation Center, to connect to up-to-date information about these holiday assistance programs. In Travis County, holiday gift programs are provided by The Salvation Army Social Service Center, Operation Blue Santa, which is operated by the Austin Police Department, and Brown Santa, run by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. The programs match individuals and families in need with organizations and individual sponsors who provide holiday meals, toys and gifts. For many area children, these are the only toys they will receive all year. In addition to providing holiday assistance information through 2-1-1, the United Way Navigation Center publishes calendars each year that include free or low-cost Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in Central Texas. The calendars are used by area nonprofits, like the Capital Area Food Bank. 2-1-1 also provides information on holiday volunteer opportunities each year. Just last week, 2-1-1 received a call from a woman who had received assistance from the Christmas Bureau in the past and said that because she is in a better place in her life this year, she wanted information on how to volunteer to help others in […]
Read More