[Alexandria, VA] – This Friday, June 21 United Way Worldwide is partnering with Google to host The 21 – a twenty-one hour live broadcast event via Google+ Hangouts on Air. This first of its kind event will feature athletes like the NFL’s Roberto Garza and Glover Quin, WNBA superstar Maya Moore, celebrities, entertainment, leaders in education and educational advocates like Angela Maiers, and everyday heroes who are making a difference in their communities through education.

Utilizing leading Google technologies, The 21 is a modern age evolution of the telethon, but instead of working to raise money, United Way is working to sign-up readers, tutors and mentors to help further education initiatives across the world. Google Hangouts is an easy to use technology allowing users to participate in video calls – via computers, tablets or smartphones – from wherever they are. So you don’t just watch The 21, you can be an active member of the event.

Part of United Way’s 6^th Annual Day of Action initiative, The 21 will highlight the amazing work around the United Way network. United Ways around the world are participating in on-the-ground volunteer activities to advance education, income and health. Watch as we share their stories, and the stories of influencers and change-makers, throughout the day.

Tune in to The 21 this Friday, starting at 3:00 AM ET, learn what it means to LIVE UNITED, and become a part of the United Way movement.

This big-time playmaker has big aspirations and an even bigger heart. Come hangout with Arthur and the United Way team in Buffalo to hear about his intern experience, learn more about what makes him tick, and get inspired to make a difference in your community. Join us for Breakfast with United Way from 7am to 9am ET.

“Every child needs someone to be crazy about them.” These are the words of Salome Thomas-EL, award-winning teacher and principal, and nationally recognized educator. They shape his life-long commitment to answering the question, “How do we ensure that every child achieves their greatest potential?” This question lies at the heart of the national dialogue on education policy, the day in and day out work of school personnel, and the hopes of every parent. Central to this challenge is how we succeed with children who are facing the most serious barriers to success: poverty, violence, neglect, and low expectations.

For over 20 years, Thomas-EL has taken on this challenge with the absolute belief that every child can and will learn as long as adults in their world care enough to not give up. Starting as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School and through his years as principal at several traditional public and charter schools, Thomas-EL has transformed the attitudes and strategies of school staff, parents, and members of the community to help hundreds of troubled children not only graduate from high school but go on to earn higher degrees from major colleges and universities. He brings to the process a powerful combination of passion, caring, and leadership to craft a refreshing, common-sense roadmap to help kids achieve their dreams, no matter the odds.

Principal EL will be joining us for Breakfast with United Way, our morning show that features in-depth interviews and news stories from around the world of education.

Despite the fact that the bill was last authorized in 2002, our children continue to wait for Congress to fix our nation's public education system. The reauthorization of ESEA represents a great opportunity for a new vision and approach for providing a better education for millions of children. Not only is it a major piece of legislation for education policy, it’s a critical piece of the economic policy of our nation.

That's why United Way has created an online petition urging policymakers to come together and pass a bipartisan education bill. Our children have waited long enough. Now’s the time to act.

As the House and Senate consider reauthorization, we encourage Congress to make certain the reauthorized bill includes the following principles:

• Provides students with access to a system of smart wraparound supports
• Engages parents and families in the school system
• Designs and staffs schools to boost student engagement and academic performance
• Ensures that school districts provide all schools with the necessary conditions for success
• Holds schools accountable for graduating students college- and career-ready

Tell Congress to pass a bipartisan bill today. Sign the petition and take action now. Tweet it!

By Barbara Murphy

As generous supporters of United Way, I believe it is important to keep you informed about how your hard earned money is invested in the local programs and services that are having a positive impact on your community. United Way raises much needed dollars for charitable organizations in our community that focus on improving life for people in three areas, financial stability, education and health. During the grant process, a trained panel of local volunteers reviews every application, interviews program directors and closely examines the charity’s financial statements before any money is committed. This ensures the integrity of each grant awarded. Charities know that United Way expects accountability, transparency and efficiency from every program we support. United Way believes we owe that to our loyal contributors, who trust us to invest their contributions prudently. The agencies are fully accountable to United Way and must be able to show a positive impact in the community and on the lives of the people they help as a direct result of United Way’s community investment.

Your consistent support has been the backbone of United Way and our ability to support initiatives that have changed so many lives in our community.  You truly understand what it means to be committed to helping our community and have backed your commitment with your active support.

With today’s economic challenges, more people are struggling in our community than ever before.  Local programs are being stretched to the limits to meet the needs. If you can give a little or a lot, this is your opportunity to make your impact. Every donation, large or small, takes us one step closer to our goal – a community that is ready and able to meet the needs of its citizens. When you donate to United Way, your contribution benefits all of the charities we help to fund, not just one or two of them.

Thank you to all of the United Way supporters who give, advocate and volunteer. We couldn’t do it without you. You really know what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Why? According to the Deloitte Volunteer Impact Survey, employees who participate in corporate volunteering are more strongly engaged with their companies and are more likely to stay that way. Encouraging employees to go out into the community to make a difference is a great way for a company to say “thank you” to their customers, clients and fellow citizens.

For example, this week United Way will be working with Fannie Mae in eight cities across the U.S. to launch 7 Days to SERVE, a concentrated week of community service activities for employees of the housing mortgage company.

United Way has helped Fannie Mae by arranging and managing volunteer projects in each city where the company’s employees work and live. Thousands of Fannie Mae employees will be volunteering in the communities where they live and work during 7 Days to SERVE, which is taking place June 9-15.

Volunteer projects will include both hands-on and skills-based activities to support nonprofits working to address housing related issues, homelessness, and building stronger communities. For example, Stacey Stewart, U.S. President of United Way, will join Tim Mayopoulos, President and CEO of Fannie Mae, in preparing food and sorting donated clothing at Martha’s Table in Washington, DC. Other projects around the U.S. range from revitalizing homes, landscaping, and preparing/delivering meals, to leading financial literacy workshops and career coaching. United Way of Greater Atlanta, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, United Way of Broward County (FL), Orange County United Way (CA), United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey are managing all aspects of the volunteer projects in their area.

What’s the connection between volunteering and the bottom line? What’s good for our communities is good for business. Be sure to read our blog series on corporate volunteering, and check out other examples of top rated corporate volunteer programs here.   

Today, an estimated 45 million Americans suffer illnesses like depression, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress syndrome. Mental illness cuts across race, ethnicity and socioeconomics. Like many others, my own family has been impacted by mental illness and the tragic consequences that often come when adequate systems and supports just don’t exist or aren’t accessible.

As part of this effort, all United Ways in the U.S. have been invited to participate by hosting community conversations on this issue and to use the learning to engage leaders in developing local action plans.

Many United Ways are working on mental health issues either as a lead issue or as a component of other strategies – whether it’s working with veterans, addressing homelessness, early childhood development and school readiness, or other education, income and health issues. Hosting conversations on mental health and leveraging that learning to galvanize action is a great way to accelerate the good work you’re already doing and play an important backbone role in your community. And, it’s a chance to be part of a major national effort.

If you’re interested in learning more, visit www.mentalhealth.gov or www.creatingcommunitysolutions.org to see which United Ways are participating. 

United Way has always been in the business of improving lives.  The challenge now is continuing to adapt to the change happening around us and build on what we do best—leveraging our worldwide network to connect philanthropic aspiration with compelling human need, whether it’s a gift from a multinational company or the generosity of an individual. 

But, how do we ensure that the success we’re creating is sustainable?  How do we make our strategies more inclusive?  And, importantly, how do we scale what we know to work to change conditions for all people in all communities?

United Way recently held its worldwide annual conference in Indianapolis to talk about just that.  United Way professionals from 21 countries and across five continents came together to take a deeper look at the issues and strategies both specific to our individual communities and fundamental to our larger interdependence (click on the box above to watch my conference keynote).

What was clear from these discussions was that future success relies on engaging the individual—Millennials, Gen Xers, Boomers, community partners, United Way staff and volunteers alike.  Addressing human need in this environment can start with you.  If you believe in yourself, if you believe in the potential of everyone around you, and if you believe that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, everyone will succeed.

United Way seeks to advance the common good.  We want to create opportunities for all people to have a better life.  That must mean ensuring that all people and institutions are involved.  It means playing your part in a much larger movement.

Of course, it also means United Way needs to play its part and give you ample opportunities to give, advocate and volunteer.  We want to meet you where you are.  So, whether it’s through social media, this website or your local United Way—tell us what interests you, tell us your vision for your community, and tell us how you would like to get involved.

We hope you will join us and look forward to hearing from you.

Shelton has brought together a group of music heavy-weights to fill the line-up including: Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, Reba, Usher and more. Tune into NBC at 9:00 pm ET (with a rebroadcast at 9:00 pm PT) and help Oklahoma rebuild. 

Proceeds of the concert will go to United Way of Central Oklahoma for immediate and long-term recovery efforts in the aftermath of this disaster.

The devastation has left our friends in the Sooner State with great challenges. Recent reports confirm nearly 1,200 buildings destroyed, including schools and homes, plus another 12,000 damaged.  In addition to the 24 tragically lost to these events, survivors find themselves at risk of asbestos and neurotoxic lead kicked up by strong winds and rescue and clean-up efforts.

The easiest way to donate now is to visit www.unitedway.org/rebuild. During the benefit concert you will also be able to call in or text your donation.

To keep up with the latest ways you can help our neighbors hurting in Oklahoma, visit www.facebook.com/unitedway.

“We are reactivating the disaster relief fund at the request of many of our donors and corporate partners who are seeking an efficient and accountable way to assist with the relief effort,” said Debby Hampton, President and CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Individuals may contribute online, via credit card by phone, and by mail, specifically to the May tornadoes relief and recovery efforts. At this time, PLEASE make financial donations only. If you have trouble with donating online, there are two alternative ways to give.

1. Give online to the May Tornadoes Relief Fund located on our home page at http://unitedway.org/rebuild 
2. Give by credit card: call (405) 523.3598, (405) 523.3597 or (405) 236.8441
3. Give by mailing a check to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK  73101 with notation for May Tornadoes Relief Fund

Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts. Agencies must clearly prove services provided and demonstrate need for financial support. Organizations that receive United Way disaster fund assistance will be evaluated and held strictly accountable. As our Partner Agencies work together to meet the immediate needs in the recovery efforts, the May Tornado Relief Fund will serve not only immediate needs, but intermediate, and long-term care for years to come.

United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund has operated to meet needs after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the tornadoes on May 3, 1999, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and other disasters. In each circumstance, United Way has effectively and efficiently distributed donors’ dollars to serve as many people as possible while maintaining the highest level of accountability.

For more information, contact United Way of Central Oklahoma’s main number at (405) 236-8441.

Between 8 and 16 percent of young children have special physical, mental, or behavioral needs, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This can prevent them from reaching their fullest potential unless they receive an individualized program of care and education that addresses these needs. Many nonprofit organizations, such as your United Way, work with other volunteer-driven community programs that pair early intervention and education programs with medical and community services in order to meet the needs of these families.

Doctors say one of the most important things for children with special needs is early intervention. Typically run through the education system, this intervention offers care, therapy, and other resources to ensure the child is prepared to begin school. Volunteers within the special needs community work with policy makers to advocate for high-quality early intervention programs.

Once in school, parents work with therapists, doctors, and school faculty to develop an individualized education program (IEP), which will help the child to learn according to his or her ability. Unfortunately, this process is not always as easy as it should be. Communication barriers exist between therapists and schools, and parents can sometimes feel caught in the middle. A special education advocate may support the parents through this process, keeping the child's best interest in mind.

Students graduating from high school and entering adulthood face another set of challenges. At this point in their lives, volunteer-driven and community-based programs become even more important as they focus on employment and the possibility of independent living.

Volunteers also advocate for local and state policies that promote access to and funding for services for children and adults with special needs. You can volunteer to be a special education advocate in your community.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

The unlikely friendship between an art dealer and a homeless man began with an introduction at a soup kitchen. As the friendship grew, so did the recognition of similarities between the two men. In the face of hardship, the one who had been served became the one who was a source of stability. Everybody was changed.

Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher

Pipher tells the stories of various refugee families she meets in the heartland of America and what she learns about the challenges they face when they reach the States. Her desire to know their story leads to a desire to help them navigate the throws of government aid, the excessive selection of unfamiliar foods in American grocery stores, and which mail pieces are important and which ones are junk. Pipher's assistance helps the families and their stories motivate her.

Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

Claiborne has strong opinions about how the outcasts of society should be treated. In this book, he shares stories about how he has chosen to live out those opinions by entering the world of those he seeks to serve and living there full time. It is in that context that he and those who join his cause experiment with a variety of ways to meet needs. From wasted food to urban gardens, from homemade clothes to a new way of paying for medical care, he tackles social justice issues head on.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

What began as a backpacking adventure morphed into a quest to build schools for children in remote villages of Pakistan. Mortenson had no experience as a teacher and no background in building schools, but conversations with village leaders over the traditionally hospitable cups of tea lit a fire in him that changed everything.

These titles are more than just good books to read, they are great stories to tell. The wonder of the stories cannot be adequately summarized without spoiling aspects of the account. Suffice it to say the books are motivational because they are true stories about real people making a difference. There are countless good books to read, but not nearly as many that tell true stories that do more than entertain. Let these books motivate you to get involved in your own community.

United Way has programs for volunteers and advocates in areas such as education, income, and health. There is something for everyone. The idea of helping is fulfilling to those who have the desire and drive to give of themselves for the betterment of humanity and, more specifically, for their own community. Volunteerism is the driving force behind agencies like United Way, where volunteers are relied upon to provide much needed services and support to children, adults, and the elderly.

If prospective volunteers have certain skills they would like to pass along to others, or are experienced in educating others, then joining an organization like United Way is an excellent way to become involved. United Way invites volunteers to LIVE UNITED by becoming involved with tutoring, reading, or mentoring children to provide skills to others that will last a lifetime and get or help keep people employed and self-sufficient.

To honor philanthropy, United Way celebrates those who work for the greater good with the United Way Tocqueville Society that was founded more than 25 years ago in order to deepen the understanding, commitment, and support of United Way's most generous and community-minded investors.

Although volunteering is a great way to get involved with programs, if this isn't a possibility for whatever reason, philanthropy can also include donating money, clothing, or supplies. United Way accepts donations as well as in-person volunteers. Both types of giving are necessary to keep the organization running.

Getting involved is easy. Once you decide what sort of help you can or wish to give, do a little research, speak to a volunteer coordinator, and apply. If donating, whether it's your time or money, is something you have thought about, there are many ways to get involved.

Organize a Fundraiser

Work together on a project outside of yourselves. Because different people have different areas of expertise and experience outside the office, coordinating a fundraiser for United Way gives your group the opportunity to try new things and change the usual hierarchy. An administrative assistant who is familiar with a specific population of need suddenly becomes the COO of the project. The IT personnel are able to show their creative sides. And the patriarch of the family shows a willingness to do menial tasks for the sake of others. In the midst of seeing different sides of people, you are serving the common good of the community.

Perform Community Service

One of the best team building activities for adults is community service. While there are many forms of community service and many venues in which to serve, there is something particularly unifying about manual labor. Help build a house for a lower-income family. Clean up graffiti in a nearby neighborhood. Spend a Saturday giving a local school a makeover by painting classrooms, clearing flowerbeds, and repairing playground equipment. When you and your team see the results of your collaborative effort, you will find satisfaction knowing you accomplished it together.

Do a Ropes Course

If there are trust issues within your company or family, there is no better resolution than a ropes course. Find a certified ropes instructor to take your group through experiences that teach the importance of trust. To amplify the experience, have each member of your group volunteer to take a local teenager with them. Be sure to allow time for everyone to discuss their experiences and encourage those who seemed to overcome the most. Trust is essential to teamwork.

Organize a Mentor Campout

There is a school in your community that needs volunteer readers, mentors, or tutors. Once your group has found a school to adopt, exceed the expectations of your mentees by going on a group campout together. Camping requires teamwork and puts everyone on a more even playing field. Team building activities for adults that provide new experiences for less fortunate youth are the best kind of team building.

Overcome an Obstacle

Whether it's an obstacle course, client expectations, or a family crisis, nothing promotes teamwork better than a challenge. Many families in your community are working to overcome obstacles. Work together as a team to tackle problems such as kids dropping out of school, illiteracy, homelessness, and teen pregnancy. If you can work together to make a company or family successful, you can work together for the common good and make your community a better place to live.

Email

Send an email to your entire database. That includes current volunteers, past volunteers, board members, staff, former clients, donors, and vendors. Use a subject line that entices readers to open the email. Be specific. For example, if you need some people to become tutors, make the subject line "Looking for volunteer tutors." On the other hand, if you are looking for volunteers to fill multiple roles, provide a very specific number in the subject line. "Do You Know Anybody Who Would Be Good At These 5 Things?" The subject gives people the freedom to volunteer themselves or to spread the word to friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Additionally, the finite number makes the challenge feel more attainable.

Inside the email, mention the specific needs, qualifications, time commitments, and instructions about how to sign up.

Let your website work for you

Keep your website updated with current volunteer needs as well as the steps required to become a volunteer for your organization. If people care about what you're doing, they will often visit your website to find out more. Give them the opportunity to get involved.

Other websites

There are websites out there that seek to match volunteers with needs for many organizations. Sites like United Way, Volunteermatch.org, and others give users the ability to search for volunteer opportunities in their area. Simultaneously, these sites help organizations looking for volunteers to get the word out and recruit people they might not otherwise encounter.

Network with other organizations

Communicate with organizations in your area that have a reputation for community service. Contact churches, schools, businesses, rotary clubs, and sports teams to inform them of your needs and your mission. This can often be the beginning of a long-term partnership that benefits both groups as well as the community.

Through United Way, lots of helping hands offer assistance in areas like financial and income stability and health education. Volunteers are always in demand to provide support to children, the elderly, or anyone who is in need.

Education

Education strategies are in place through United Way to give children the skills and abilities they need to succeed, from early childhood through high school and into college. Volunteers work with children, parents, and communities to make education a priority that leads to success down the line. Literacy programs make sure that children have a proficiency in reading by the fourth grade.

Finance/Income

Volunteers who wish to work with financial and income strategies will focus on the following main areas:

• Family-sustaining employment
• Affordable housing
• Savings and assets
• Manageable expenses
• Income supports

Providing tax assistance and financial education to adults and families is an essential part of this program.

Health Education

Volunteers can provide health education to people and communities to help reach United Way's goal of increasing by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors by the year 2018.

All of these programs require the dedication of lots of helping hands. Without volunteers and advocates giving their time, compassion, and knowledge, these programs wouldn't be around and individuals as well as communities would suffer.

Meet the Teacher

You can't foster a positive relationship until you actually meet the teacher in person. Attend the school's open house or schedule a brief appointment to introduce yourself, collect information, and offer to help through volunteering or donating items to the class. Showing you are willing to be active in your child's education sets the tone for the rest of the year.

Find the Right Time to Talk

Teachers are busy, and drop-off or pickup times are usually not ideal for chatting with parents. Set up an appointment when it is convenient for the teacher, and if you see them around town, resist the temptation to turn it into a parent-teacher conference.

Write Brief Notes

One of the best ways to communicate with teachers is through brief, concise notes. Clearly state your concerns and ask for guidance. Send them via email or directly to the school so your child does not become the messenger, and keep the line of communication open by following up.

Accept Differences

Foster a positive relationship by listening to the teacher, understanding their expectations and remaining calm if you have a conflict. Educators may have an approach or style that is different from yours, but that does not mean your child has a bad teacher.

Celebrate Successes

Teaching is far too often a thankless job. So this week (and every week), be sure to #THANKATEACHER for all they do to ensure a bright future for our communities.  

It's easy to feel powerless about the environment when we hear daily about giant corporations polluting our lakes and rivers, and supposedly progressive politicians traveling the country in fleets of gas-guzzling SUVs. Luckily, there are a number of steps you can take to promote environmental sustainability at home. The best part is that most of them only involve a few minor changes to your lifestyle.

• Eat less meat. Factory farming is not only inhumane, it's also one of the largest contributors to global warming. Many people eat meat with each meal simply because they don't know how to eat without it. In fact, it's easy to make healthy, balanced meals that don't include meat. Start by forgoing meat for just one dinner a week--think pastas and salads. You'll be surprised how easy it is!
• Shop responsibly. Spend extra money and buy products that will last. Learn how to tell the difference between things you need and things you want. Consider purchasing used items whenever possible. Living simply not only promotes environmental sustainability, it makes you appreciate the things you have even more.
• Start a garden. There are few things more rewarding that growing your own food. Even apartment dwellers can start a simple herb garden in their windowsill. You'll save money at the grocery store, and consume products that you know are pesticide-free.
• Conserve water. When it comes to conserving water, living more sustainably is a combination of many little things. Don't run the tap when you brush your teeth. Take shorter showers. Check your plumbing for leaks. Don't do half loads of laundry. There aren't many grand requirements when it comes to saving water: Simply being more aware of your usage and taking steps to limit it when possible is the best thing your can do.
• Take public transportation. Taking the bus or subway is a great way to save money and avoid traffic and the stress of driving. It is also a great opportunity to relax and reflect on the day. If you live in an urban center with a good transportation infrastructure, be sure to take advantage of it.

A green environment is a healthy environment. Luckily, making a commitment to environmental sustainability does not necessarily mean radically changing your life. Many of the best ways to make a difference are through small changes that can be implemented gradually.

The charitable campaign between the NFL and United Way used the 2013 NFL Draft to “draft” their own new members, getting a few hundred pledges closer to their goal of recruiting 99,000 volunteers by 2014.

“I’m so lucky to have grown up with loving, supportive parents, but I realize that not every kid is that lucky,” United Way TEAM NFL member Vinny Rey of the Cincinnati Bengals said. “I always keep that in mind and events like this really inspire me to pay it forward.”

Motivated by daunting statistics of illiteracy and truancy, Rey is one of many NFL players committed to recruiting 3,000 volunteers toward the 99,000 goal—a strategy to help cut the high school dropout rate in half by 2018.

Three of the squad’s player reps took time off for this weekend’s Draft event to help develop a game plan and use the event to recruit volunteers.  Rey, Antoine Bethea of the Indianapolis Colts and Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals agreed that the weekend was the “ideal” way to stay engaged with the community in the off season.

“The whole weekend was really exciting because we got to meet people willing to give up their precious time for this cause,” Howard University grad Bethea said. “I left feeling re-energized and even more excited to see how easy it really is for ALL of us to obtain our goals for United Way TEAM NFL.”

This optimism and revamped energy is exactly the momentum the organizers were hoping would come out of the Draft weekend. After two days of planning, strategizing and working as a team on feasible solutions, the team’s leader, Tracey Holmes of United Way Worldwide said “I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be working with such a talented, driven group of individuals on this mission to change peoples’ lives.”

In exchange for pledges, Bethea, Campbell and Rey gave back to the avid fans that swarmed Radio City Music Hall on Saturday afternoon by signing autographs, taking photos, and doing interviews to publicize the cause.

Missed the Draft? Don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for United Way TEAM NFL and help our guys tackle America’s dropout rate. http://www.unitedway.org/team-nfl

How many volunteers are there in the U.S.? More than one quarter of the U.S. population (26.5 percent) or 64.5 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2011 and September 2012.

Those are impressive numbers, but United Way is focused on getting even more people to volunteer so together we can make significant strides in helping kids graduate on time and improve families’ financial stability and health for their lifetimes.

If you are already volunteering on a regular basis, thank you!  Volunteers are the lifeblood of change in the U.S. and indeed around the world. 

And if you haven’t volunteered lately, National Volunteer Week is a great time to start.  United Way is recruiting one million volunteer readers, tutors or mentors to help improve the academic success of young people across America.  Pledge to help today and contact the United Way in your area to learn how to get involved with this initiative. Anyone with passion and commitment can help a young person achieve greater success.

Through the power of volunteering, we improve lives – our own and that of others.  Congratulations to you and to all volunteers who join United Way in mobilizing the caring power of communities.

On April 17^th, the group reunited in Indianapolis at United Way’s national Staff Leaders Conference to accept their award as the first United Way TEAM NFL squad to accomplish the challenge of recruiting 3,000 volunteer tutors, readers and mentors.

 “TEAM DAVIN really came out of nowhere with this win,” United Way Worldwide’s NFL Partnership Director Tracey Holmes said. “It was getting close to the end of the year and I thought I already had a clear winner. All of a sudden, I get word that Davin Joseph’s team had not only reached the goal of recruiting 3,000 volunteers, they had surpassed it. We were blown away by their effort and extremely proud.”

Clearly, Joseph’s competitiveness on the field transferred to his love for his community. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it and say I didn’t expect to win,” the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ guard said. “I knew I had the Buccaneers behind me, United Way, teammates, anything that I needed. And with all the resources here in Tampa, I knew we had a great chance of winning.” Joseph added that his team’s accomplishment is merely a reflection of their compassionate community, and as a result, “Tampa deserves it.”

Ashley Zarle of United Way Suncoast can attest to the fact that the Tampa Bay community not only deserves this kind of accomplishment, but that they need it, too. As a dedicated TEAM DAVIN member who works closely with the Tampa Bay community, she cited daunting statistics about the area’s education system, including the fact that almost half of students enter school with a reading deficit and that approximately 14,000 students dropped out of high school last year alone.

Sadly, stats like these are not unique. These numbers simply mirror pitfalls that plague the public education system across the country. Every year, 1.2 million students fail to graduate high school on time. To reverse this trend, United Way has challenged itself and its partners, like the NFL, to cut this number in half by recruiting dedicated volunteer tutors, readers, and mentors as extra resources for students.

So how did Team Davin pull off their victory in just a few short months? Zarle credits her teammates’ unique personalities and the fact that they simply “wanted to be there.”

“When every member is engaged and excited about it, it creates an environment that it’s going to happen,” Zarle said, noting that her team never wanted to “rely on social media” to get the job done, but rather employed old-fashioned, grass-roots techniques to drive volunteer sign-ups.

Fellow teammate Creedon, a student at the University of Tampa, took the initiative into his own (or rather, his classmates’) hands by leveraging one of America’s most influential groups – students themselves. Creedon organized 23 on-campus presentations and blew the effort out on any social media platforms he could, which he said helped TEAM DAVIN numbers spike on the spot.

Meanwhile, his team of Zarle, Joseph, Angel Williams from the Davin Joseph Foundation and Kevin Brown from the Buccaneers, were busy prepping pregame meet-and-greets and other events around the Tampa Bay community. They also dedicated a portion of the Buccaneers’ website to the campaign and encouraged sign-ups online. With competition brewing and a deadline looming, the team had to work quickly and effectively to accomplish their goal AND defeat all other United Way TEAM NFL squads by the end of the season.

And their efforts didn’t come without rewards. The winning team earned their local United Way a $10,000 grant and notable recognition from the United Way/NFL community. 

Although they already claimed the title of TEAM NFL winner and formally accepted their honor this week, members of TEAM DAVIN don’t consider this mission accomplished. In their eyes, the work is just beginning.

“The challenge may be over, but now it’s about taking TEAM DAVIN and growing it,” Joseph said. “We’ve recruited the volunteers, and people are ready to work, so now we’ve got to get them there.” 

By: Gabrielle Kay, Corporate Partnerships Manager, United Way Australia 

In this fifth blog on corporate volunteering, we discuss the impact the last ten years of our unskilled team volunteering program has had on ourselves, United Way Australia, and how we have used this to deepen our engagement with our corporate partners, their employees and our communities, to create greater impact for all these stakeholders.

Back in 2009 United Way produced a report with the Centre for Social Impact, Common Cause, looking at Sydney’s key social issues. Looking through the lens of United Way’s Community Impact strategy focusing on Education, Income and Health and building on this evidence United Way identified innovative and collaborative strategies.

In 2012, over 500 corporate volunteers told us they want to volunteer again. In addition, 56 percent told us they want to volunteer more and make a larger contribution. This desire fits in well with the new United Way Community Impact Strategy that is based on a collective impact approach , bringing collaborations of interested people and organisations together. United Way has built in opportunities for corporate volunteers to do more, engage more deeply and make greater impacts.

The new volunteering approaches United Way has developed to support the Community Impact strategy are Engaged Volunteering and Strategic Volunteering.

Engaged volunteering provides opportunities for corporate volunteers to use their personal and professional skills, to mentor and motivate Year 10 high school students. Focusing on our more vulnerable communities where many families don’t have a history of working, this exposure to professional working people is helping students to stay focused at school and plan for positive pathways after school.

Volunteers have told us after workshops, “we certainly got more than we gave today and it was a real privilege to be at the workshop.”

Early evaluations are showing that the impact goes two ways and students too are benefiting, with 93 percent of students who were unclear about their pathway post school had clarified their intention to go into secure, productive pathways by the end of the program.

Strategic volunteering, is another type of volunteering United Way has developed to enable executives to use their skills and influence to create Community Impact outcomes. Coalitions of corporate, community and government leaders have been formed to address the strategic issues affecting an identified focus area. A great example is the Homelessness Coalition, which we’ve previously written about – see blog.

Partners for Impact is another strategic volunteering program that provides executives from the corporate and community sector the opportunity to work together on a business issue posed by the community partner in a year long collaboration. As the first year winds up, there has been acknowledgement on both sides of the value of the program, “we’ve had really useful conversations. My corporate partner mentor asks “cut-through” questions to pull out the [employee] traits and she’s spot on with her assessments – she has a bit of a gift.’

With equally powerful feedback from the corporate partner mentors about their experience, we are set to offer this program for a second year in Sydney and also launch it in Melbourne in the coming months.

Community impact is a journey, just as innovation and collaboration is a journey, underpinned by the experience of all those involved. United Way’s role in gathering the evidence, getting the community projects going and harnessing the resources to achieve the outcomes is showing early wins in creating community impact.

That’s why United Way is pleased to partner with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in the first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. CNCS is the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs that engage more than five million citizens in service each year. 

Today, mayors are participating in a variety of activities, including visiting national service programs, hosting roundtables at city hall, issuing proclamations, and communicating about national service through social media. Throughout the country, mayors will recognize the impact of national service in their cities and thank those AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members who serve. 

United Way is proud to join in this nationwide salute that will highlight the importance of citizen engagement, recognize the dedication of national service members, and inspire more residents to get involved in their communities.

Get Involved

• Upload a badge as your Facebook or Twitter photo to show your support for national service. Badges and graphics are available at  http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/resources.asp

• Recognize national service on social media. Use hashtags #liveunited and #Mayors4service. Check out the social media guide for sample tweets and Facebook messages.

• Go to Serve.gov to find a national service volunteer opportunity that matches your skills and interests.

For more information on the Mayor's Day, watch United Way's prezi or read the factsheet.

By: Gabrielle Kay, Corporate Partnerships Manager, United Way Australia 

When United Way first started organising corporate team volunteering projects back in 2003 it was about showing workplace giving donors the work our community partners were doing and helping them in other ways through unskilled team volunteering program.

This unskilled team volunteering program is now known as Corporate Connect and in 2012 worked with over 60 community partners across Australia.

In this fourth blog we reflect on the impact for our community partner, through a case study with a long term partner, Pathways Early Childhood Intervention, a small community organisation in Sydney’s inner west supporting families with children with disabilities.

The early Corporate Connect projects at Pathways ECI spruced the outdoor areas, creating sensory gardens and helping with other jobs the Pathways ECI staff and parents using their services just didn’t have the time to do.

Sylvana Mahmic, CEO, Pathways Early Childhood Intervention, says “the impact of the many Corporate Connect volunteering projects is more significant than the physical work that has been done. For the families who use Pathways ECI services, they are struck that businesses and their employees would choose to volunteer for an organisation they have no relationship with. This is powerful for these parents who are in difficult situations, as well as the staff members supporting the families.”

Sylvana describes the long United Way relationship as one that has provided practical, professional and emotional support. She thinks back to the start when they use to operate from a demountable building with an annual budget of $200,000. Today Pathways ECI is a $1.6m organisation with 18 full and part time staff, providing services to 150 families. Sylvana says, “you can’t develop an organisation by yourself. I count my lucky stars that United Way and their corporate partners have directly contributed to the organisations success. Everyone has a part to play.”

The impact of the community relationships goes further. Our community BBQs do more than feed residents in low income areas. One of our community partners working with residents in one of these  communities has shared what the locals say when the volunteers have left, “they now realise that behind those big brand names there are people just like them.”

This understanding of each other’s lives is the start of building trust, a key ingredient in building vibrant communities.  Hugh Mackay, wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald last year (18-19 May, p22 News Review) “experience is the great mind change, the great teacher. Our most significant attitudes and beliefs ... are based on lessons from life itself”.

Corporate Connect team volunteering projects have been building community trust a project at a time, breaking down the barriers that occur in our large cities. By building understanding, through working together, this work has demonstrated to clients and residents in vulnerable communities that others do care about them. This brings to life United Way’s mission which talks about the caring power of communities to improve lives.

These learnings by both corporate volunteers and the local communities they help, are leaving a legacy beyond the days work, a legacy that strengthens communities. In the fifth and final blog we’ll share how United Way is extending this volunteering journey to increase corporate engagement and create community impact.

More than 21 million children receive free and reduced price meals during the school year, yet only 2 million children access free meals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Programs in the summer. United Way is raising awareness about where families across the country can find free and nutritious meals for their children during the summer months.

To close the summer hunger gap, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) partners with schools, local governments, and community organizations to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. The Summer Food Service Program was established to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. 

Any child age 18 and under may go to a designated summer meal site and eat for free. This summer, meals will be served at various locations around the country, and the USDA is always seeking new partners to help spread the word and participate in the program.

Help Support Summer Meals for Kids:

1. Host or Volunteer at a Summer Meal Site. Meal service sites may be located in a variety of settings, including schools, recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, and churches. Help set up a site, supervise activities, or volunteer to prepare meals. Learn more.
2. Advocate for federal anti-hunger programs that provide summer meals to children, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Read our SNAP one-pager and the USDA’s map on the economic benefit of increased SNAP participation.
3. Spread the word about how children and families can access summer meals on social media:

• Help @UnitedWay @USDA provide summer meals for kids. Learn more http://1.usa.gov/aLJ3zs #liveunited #kidswin
• Where can kids get summer meals in your community? Find @USDA’s summer meal sites http://1.usa.gov/aLJ3zs #liveunited #kidswin
• Did you know that there’s a nutrition gap in the summer? Get involved http://1.usa.gov/aLJ3zs #liveunited #kidswin

For more information about helping ensure meals are available to children in your community, visit the Summer Food Service Program page.

By: Gabrielle Kay, Corporate Partnerships Manager, United Way Australia 

In this third blog reflecting on the impact of ten years of United Way’s Corporate Connect team volunteering, we examine the impact for the businesses supporting their employees to volunteer.

With another 195 Corporate Connect team volunteering projects under our belt in 2012 we were keen to understand the impact of this program for the businesses supporting their employees to volunteer.

With responses from over 500 of the 3,000 corporate volunteers, an impressive 94% reported they are more willing to contribute to the business as a result of being given an opportunity by their company to volunteer. Whilst this one question does not substitute for a full employee engagement survey, it does give a strong indication that there is an alignment between corporate supported volunteering and employee engagement.

In the first two blogs in this series, we reported how United Way’s Corporate Connect program is aligning employee’s and business’ values to give back and make a difference in our local communities.

Whether it is engaged employees that volunteer or employees becoming more engaged when their company supports them to volunteer, we do not know definitely. What is clear is the global and Australian research reporting a strong relationship between employee engagement and business performance. The 2011 Macquarie Economics Research ESG report references global research findings of 16% higher profitability, 12% higher customer satisfaction ratings, lower staff turnover, fewer safety incidents, fewer quality issues, as well as similar trends in Australia. The business case on employee engagement is clear.

The companies United Way partner with make a commitment to ensuring their employees create an impact by working with United Way’s national team of corporate volunteering managers who identify community needs, put together a fully scoped project, so that volunteers have a safe, fun and meaningful volunteering experience. We know our project management works, as 100% of volunteers said again in 2012 that they would recommend a United Way team volunteering project to their colleagues. As well, 99% of volunteers rate highly their volunteering experience with United Way.

Corporate partners who work with United Way are doing more than giving their consent for employees to have a day off to volunteer. These businesses are investing in their employees and the communities in which they live and work. The evidence is strong that the investment in United Way’s Corporate Connect team volunteering pays off for the business.

In the final blog we explore how United Way has developed this volunteering journey to create greater impact for the employees, business and the community. Before we get there we will go back in our next blog to the community and share their perspectives on corporate volunteering.

That's my top 25 26 #SpringFix tweets but in reality I probably could have had a top 25 for each Spring Fix participant. I mean, I didn't even get into the Ne-Yo concert! I know others (I'm looking at you, Spring Fixers) may have opinions on their favorite tweets from the week. Post them in the comments below!

One of the beliefs that connects many Americans is the importance of academics, physical activity and nutrition during the school year, but because these defining assets are so limited in the summer for certain families and communities, part of that investment is lost. Known as the “summer slide,” low-income children, on average, lose more than two months in math and reading each summer and these losses are cumulative –contributing significantly to the achievement gap.  Along with the summer slide in learning, studies have shown a slide in health as well:  obesity and food insecurity for children in low-income communities go up disproportionately during the summer.

In recognition of National Public Health Week, United Way Worldwide is bringing attention to the importance of summer and specifically the importance of accessible, healthful food and beverages.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides financial reimbursement for meals through the Summer Food Service Program, but only about 1 out of 7 eligible kids currently receive the summer meals. That is why United Way, committed partners and volunteers work together to connect children who are particularly disadvantaged to a safe place to eat a healthy meal.

United Way of East Central Iowa, located in Cedar Rapids, convened community stakeholders to talk about the 12,800 children in their community who were food insecure and that only 6% of them were accessing the Summer Meals Program.  Thanks to collective action, more sponsors joined, more sites were opened and more children had the nutritious meals they needed. In two short years, they have expanded the program by 148%.

United Way’s Hunger Free King County Initiative is making sure no kid is hungry during the summer months by increasing participation in the Summer Food Service Program “Summer Meals”.  In partnership with community-based organizations, local government, and funders like Walmart, they increased the number of meals served by 24% over the last two years.  They have done this through investing in new food sites, participating in a multi-tiered outreach campaign to families and community members and increased volunteer mobilization. 

Together, we can make a difference. Whether it is advocating for better nutrition in summer programs, increasing the number of safe meal sites, volunteering our time to cook or serve meals, or donating to organizations like United Way to provide access to healthful food, we can not only fill empty bellies, but improve a child’s nutrition, health and educational success, which will benefit us all.