If you need further information, please contact United Way's media contact Brittney Kuehl at 903-9000 x 306 or bkuehl@unitedwaytucson.org.

Enjoy Live Basketball While Helping Keep Kids Safe After School

TUCSON, AZ - Attention Basketball Junkies!  The Arizona Cactus Classic is coming to Tucson May 18-20 with nationally ranked high school AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) teams, elite players, over achievers, underdogs, applause, cheers and yes, some disappointments. 

Held at McKale Memorial Center & Bear Down Gymnasium at University of Arizona, the 3-day tournament begins with 32 teams that play a countdown to the finals on Sunday at 2pm.

$5 of every ticket purchased at Bank of Tucson goes to United Way’s Keeping Kids Safe After School focus area. 

United Way’s Keeping Kids Safe After School focus area is working to help provide children with high-quality after school programs supervised by caring adults.  Research has shown that between 3-6pm the most crime occurs as well as teen pregnancy and drug use.  United Way is committed to Keeping Kids Safe After School through their partnerships with agencies, companies and neighbors and through after school programs.

Plan a family outing, bring you little brother or sister or come with your friends to Arizona Cactus Classic’s tournament.   Get a peek at the stars of tomorrow while watching what it takes to endure and win on the basketball court today.

When:                 
May 18 – 20
Friday                   6pm – 11pm
Sat                        9am – 11pm
Sunday                9am – Championship Game at 2pm

Where:                               
McKale Memorial Center & Bear Down Gymnasium at University of Arizona.

How much:       
$10 per wristband which gets you in for all three days. 
Purchase your wristband at Bank of Tucson (near Broadway and Columbus) and $5 will be donated to United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona to Help Keep Kids Safe After School

For more information go to azcactusclassic.com or unitedwaytucson.org

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona brings our community together to change the lives of those people who need it most.  Through partnerships with agencies, neighborhoods, government and businesses, United Way is ensuring children are ready to succeed, families are financially stable and safe, and seniors lead independent, active lives.  For more information visit www.unitedwaytucson.org.
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United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona RECEIVES GRANT TO WORK WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO IMPROVE WORK SUPPORTS FOR LOWER-WAGE EMPLOYEES

Grant awarded by Families and Work Institute
as part of the Supporting Work Project, with funding from the Ford Foundation

MAY 1, 2007 Tucson, AZ – United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona recently received a $140,000 grant to work with local employers in Tucson to help increase the number of lower-wage employees who enroll in publicly funded work supports.

The grant, awarded by Families and Work Institute, a nonprofit center for research on the changing workforce, changing family and changing community, is part of the Supporting Work Project. This project is enabling business and governmental leadership to establish partnerships within communities to increase the number of employers that help their lower-wage employee’s access publicly funded work supports. These programs will enable lower-wage workers to better support themselves and their families and include such programs as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Food Stamps, housing and heating assistance, child care subsidies and tax credits, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

“The greatest employment growth in recent years has been in lower-wage jobs,” said Helen Neuborne, senior program officer in the Ford Foundation’s Economic Development unit. “The notion of the ‘American Dream’ can be hard to achieve for employees in these jobs. Getting educated about publicly-funded programs and benefits can be an important way for this segment of the workforce to move up the ladder of economic opportunity toward economic stability and the middle class.”

Through this initiative, Families and Work Institute with the support of the Ford Foundation will focus on groundbreaking ways that community and business leaders can help employers of all sizes help their employees gain access to government and community supports.

According to Ellen Galinsky, president of Families and Work Institute, “These projects have the potential to improve the economic stability of employees and their families, increase the competitiveness of local businesses by reducing turnover, and enhance the prosperity of communities by bringing millions of dollars of resources into local economies.”

According to Families and Work Institute’s Entry-Level, Hourly Worker Reports, some 12 to 15 million employees in this country earn low wages and live in low-income households. Publicly funded work supports have the potential to increase the disposable income, purchasing power and financial stability of these employees. But many employees are either unaware that they qualify for these benefits or face considerable barriers in accessing them.

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona will use this grant to test different methodologies for connecting hard working citizens with public benefits through three employment sectors including childcare, hospitality and healthcare.   

“United Way’s partnerships with Child and Family Resources and Pima County Community Services Employment and Training will enable the program reach more than 1,000 employees with a “benefits check up”.  The program will improve the lives of workers, the bottom line of employers, and bring additional dollars to the entire community,” said Patrick Jordan, United Way Community Development Director, Families.  

“Funding from the Families and Work Institute and the Ford Foundation will help employees and employers. If people are connected to work supports, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, through the workplace they will be more stable and more productive in their jobs and therefore better able to care for their families. Employees will get connected to resources they need to help them keep working and employers will reap the benefits improved loyalty, reduced absenteeism, and employee turnover.  This is a ‘win-win’ for the entire community,” said Rosalva A. Bullock, United Way Strengthening Families Impact Council Chair. 

            The other organizations that competed in a rigorous national process and received Supporting Work Project grants are:

• Center for Economic Progress (Chicago, IL)
• Community Action Project (Tulsa, OK)
• Family Resource Center at Gorham (Gorham, NH)
• Goodwill Industries of San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
• Human Services Coalition of Dade County, Inc. (Miami, FL)
• Seedco / FEI (New York, NY and Milwaukee, WI)
• SFWorks (San Francisco, CA)
• Step Up Savannah (Savannah, GA)
• United Way of Central Iowa (Des Moines, IA)

In addition, Ceridian, a provider of fully integrated EAP, work life and wellness services, has been awarded a Supporting Work Project grant to pilot a project that connects lower-wage employees to government and community supports.

These projects join a group of initiatives that the Ford Foundation has been funding to increase employer involvement in providing publicly funded works supports.

For more information about the Supporting Work Project, please contact Dan Duncan at duncan@unitedwaytucson.org or (520) 903-9000 ext. 810 or Elizabeth Miller at emiller@familiesandwork.org or (212) 465-8421.

FAMILIES MATTER FESTIVAL AT TCC
The Third Annual United Way Families Matter Festival is held in conjunction with the SAHBA Home Show April 13-15, 2007. This event will showcase United Way’s mission to Build A Better Community.

Friday April 13th: 50/50 Seniors Day: On Friday seniors will receive 50 percent off their admission price into the Home Show and will be able to learn about volunteering, life long learning, home assistance, transportation, elder abuse and oral health. United Way collaborates with its partners to help seniors remain active and independent.

Saturday April 14th: Children’s Day: Information about the importance of early learning, quality childcare & safe after school opportunities will be available at the Families Matter Festival on Saturday. Through our partnerships United Way provide resources to ensure that all children in Tucson and Southern Arizona will be ready to learn and safe after school.

Sunday April 15th: Families Day On this day, information will be available for families to learn about the important issues that face all of us today. United Way provides information on obtaining the maximum return possible with filing for earned income, child care and other tax credits. United Way is working to help families become financially stable.

Wheel
Don’t miss the excitement and fun for the family. Come spin the enormous wheel, win prizes and learn about the lasting changes United Way and its partners are making in our community.

Wheel Times:
Friday, April 13: 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday, April 14: 10 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, April 15: 10 AM – 5 PM

Storybook Characters
Bring the kids to meet storybook characters and help paint playhouses to be given to local childcare centers.

Storybook Characters Times:
Elmo & Winnie the Pooh
Friday, 10 AM- 4 PM
Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM

Wilbur & Wilma Wildcat
Friday, 11 AM – 3 PM
Sunday, 11AM – 3 PM

You're It Business Breakfast

Communicating the Importance of Early Childhood Development and Readiness  United Way's First Focus on Kids and the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 2007 You're It Business Breakfast on Thursday, March 22 at the Doubletree Hotel.  The purpose of this event was to engage and activate Tucson's business leaders around the importance of early childhood development and readiness.  The keynote speaker was businessman David Lawrence, the former publisher of The Miami Herald and current president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation in Florida who delivered an inspirational message urging businesses to get involved in one of three ways:  to adopt a childcare center, to contribute match funding to the Diamond Challenge Grant, and/or to launch a Born Learning campaign in their workplace.  Speaking about childcare center adoption were Jerry Cacciatore of St. Mary's Managed Pharmacy Programs and Lilliana Novak of Primavera Preschool.  The Cacciatore family recently contributed $5,000 to the Diamond Challenge Grant and adopted Primavera Preschool as its selected center for whom the family would work hands-on to improve quality.  This partnership will allow for construction of a licensed kitchen in which to prepare hot meals for the 40 children who attend the preschool. Jill Morgan, the Early Education Manager for First Focus on Kids, presented about Born Learning and offered three specific ways businesses could easily and quickly launch a campaign:  1) Put a link to the Born Learning website (www.bornlearning.org) on the company's website; 2) Add a Born Learning parenting tip in each issue of the company newsletter that goes to its employees; 3) Hang a Born Learning poster (provided free to all event participants) in the company's employee break room. Speaking for the Diamond family, Helaine Levy shared how her family came to be involved in the community-wide effort to improve the quality of early childhood education, as well as how important it is for others in Pima County to step forward and join them in this important cause.  The Diamond family has pledged $1 million over five years.  To date, $119,000 of $200,000 in match funding has been raised in the first year of the challenge grant. The event was moderated by Jim Kiser of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and was attended by 145 people, including 70 business and community leaders. The Arizona Daily Star reporter, Jane Erikson, is reporting on the event in this weekend's paper.  To read Jane Erikson's article click here or go to: http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/175248.php

Multicultural Leadership Development Program Workshop Wednesday, April 25 through Friday, April 27 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. University of Phoenix 300 S. Craycroft Graduation dinner will be April 28 at the DoubleTree Hotel. Seats are limited. Register by April 13. Current and future community leaders are invited to attend the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Broaden your understanding of cultural, racial, gender and religious differences.

Develop board leadership, fundraising and financial skills.

Discover opportunities for community volunteering.

Workshop sessions will cover cultural diversity, board management skills, committee participation, Robert’s Rules of Order, fundamentals of fundraising and financial skills for board membership. The 3-day session is $300 and includes lunch for each day, a workshop notebook and one graduation dinner. Or attend a 1-day session, April 25 or April 26 for $160, which includes lunch and a workshop notebook. Additional graduation dinner seats are available for guests at $40 per person.

Application deadline is April 13.

Click here to view the agenda and download the application
or contact Ruben Camacho at (520) 794-6070 or Ruben.Camacho@swgas.com

MLDP Partners:

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona “Center of Excellence”

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona was chosen to host the first United Way of America "Centers of Excellence" program on March 12 & 13, 2007. 38 United Way’s will came to Tucson and learned how to transition from primarily a fund raising and allocating organization to an organization focused on impact and results.

The United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona was one of six United Way’s selected to host this program.  

Participants will be able to share how the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is currently operating to achieve greater impact in the community, describe the rationale for the change, and identify steps required to implement this new way of operating.

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona new positioning is as a community problem solver not just a fundraiser.  Through a strong belief in collaborations and partnerships the United Way
has been able to Build A Better Community.  A few of the many United Way results from 2005-2006 :

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United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona brings our community together to change the lives of those people who need it most.  Through partnerships with agencies, neighborhoods, government and businesses, United Way is ensuring children are ready to succeed, families are self-sufficient, and seniors lead independent, active lives.  For more information visit www.unitedwaytucson.org.

Norvilles Help Make Tucson a Better Community
Allan and Alfie Norville Donate One Million Dollars

Allan and Alfie Norville have graciously donated one million dollars to United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona to help Build A Better Community.

Allan and Alfie know a thing or two about building better communities. The Norvilles have been successfully developing properties in Tucson and Alaska for more than 40 years. In addition, Allan and Alfie created GJX (Gem and Jewelry Exchange), which put Tucson on the map as the premier location for gem and jewelry shows in the country. With the Norville magic touch, GJX has grown from 34 exhibitors to well over 900 and has gifted the Tucson community with millions of dollars of revenue each year.

United Way is honored to have had a strong partnership with Allan and Alfie Norville over the years. Their dedication continues to be a great asset to United Way and the Tucson community. “We are excited to continue our partnership with United Way to help create lasting change and results that really matter to Tucson,” said Allan Norville. With help from the Norvilles, United Way is able to focus on making sure children are ready to learn and safe after school, families are self-sufficient and free from violence, and seniors are active and independent. “We are passionate about providing our experience and leadership,” said Alfie Norville, “to help focus the community on changes that are critical.”

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona would like to thank Allan and Alfie Norville for their generous gift and for their leadership in the community. “The partnership with Allan and Alfie is a wonderful example of how families working together with United Way can make even greater changes in the lives of so many in southern Arizona. Allan and Alfie, thank you for your confidence in United Way and the results we can achieve together,” said Edmund Parker, President and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Allan and Alfie Norville join Donald and Joan Diamond, the Lohse family, and Humberto and Czarina Lopez as the fourth active member of United Way Tocqueville Society— Million Dollar Roundtable. Thank you for your support and confidence in United Way.



Seniors Receive Oral Health Assistance Grants Help Us Build a Better Community

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona has received a grant totaling over $10,000 from the Southern Arizona Dental Society to help provide dental care and dentures to low-income seniors in Pima County.

The purpose of the Senior Denture Program is to address the oral health needs of low-income seniors enrolled in the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) which is administered by Pima Health System. ALTCS provides medical services and assistance with daily living activities through its provider network in a variety of residential settings and in the client’s own home. Poor oral health and a lack of dentures can compromise the nutrition, general health and well being of the elderly.

In a recent survey of nearly 3,000 Pima County senior citizens, lack of access to affordable dental care was cited as their most critical issue. Nearly 59% of the survey respondents said it was a problem and 30% said it was a serious problem. This issue was considered more severe than 38 other issues that included home repair, transportation, affordable housing and legal assistance. This survey was conducted by Pima Council on Aging, the City of Tucson, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and Pima County.

“We are grateful to the Dental Society for recognizing that our senior citizens have major oral health needs that are not being met through the medical benefits provided through Medicare and Medicaid programs and hope that our relationship with the Society will continue,” said Sharon Gartner, Director of United Way’s Supporting Seniors Community Development area.

For more information about Supporting Seniors please contact Sharon Gartner at 903-9000 ext. 420 or sgartner@unitedwaytucson.org

A Shining Example: Brush Ceramic Products
Brush Steps Up for South Tucson After School Programs

The United Way is focused on ensuring that youth are in safe places after school. One way to achieve this is to increase involvement of companies and their employees as volunteers in after school programs.

A shining example of how a company has stepped up and kept youth safe after school is Brush Ceramic Products in Tucson, Arizona. Brush has been part of the Tucson community since 1980 and employs about 90 people.
Brush’s employees demonstrated their commitment to the South Tucson Community by donating time and money focused largely to After-School Programs.

Amazingly, Brush’s employees raised $10,574 and of that amount, $9,000 will be directed to After School Programs. In addition, 10 of Brush’s employees volunteer at Chaparral Middle School's After School Program.
“Our After School Program work has been very satisfying and an easy way of getting involved with our community”, said John Scheatzle President of Brush Ceramics. “I believe our work does make a difference and we have seen the results at Chaparral Middle School. Our employees are looking forward to continuing our involvement through the remainder of the school year and for the foreseeable future.”
The United Way extends our hearty thanks to Brush Ceramics for leading the way towards Building a Better Community by helping children stay safe after school through their generous time and contributions. Thank you Brush Ceramics!
If you would like to find out how your company can become involved in this rewarding program please contact Erin Daga at 903.9000 ext. 231 or edaga@unitedwaytucson.org.

Volunteer to Help Tucson Families with Taxes

For Volunteer information, click here.
For Taxes preparation for free by VITA, click here.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides low- to moderate-income workers in the Tucson area with free tax preparation. The VITA program allows families and individuals to receive every tax benefit available to them, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC encourages people to work and raises more workers and children out of poverty than any other federal government program.
By volunteering, you can directly help boost a working family's income by up to 40 percent. Last year VITA volunteers prepared 3,500 tax returns, brought back to families over $2 million in EITC funds and $4.1 million in overall federal refunds plus saved families more than $875,000 in tax preparation fees. By increasing income, the VITA program directly affects a family's or individual's ability to become or remain self-sufficient.
To further this mission of self-sufficiency, volunteers will be on hand at VITA sites to offer information about financial education programs. This is a crucial step in encouraging financial self-sufficiency.

For volunteer information, click here.
No prior experience is necessary. Free training will be provided by certified IRS volunteers

For information on having your taxes prepared for free by VITA, click here.