by Guillermo, Earn It! Keep It! Keep It! client

Guillermo was paying hundreds of dollars to have his taxes done – something he couldn’t afford as an unemployed person. He found United Way’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! free tax preparation service and was overjoyed to discover he was going to receive a $3,500 tax refund.
Guillermo qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which is a special credit for low-income tax filers. Depending on one’s situation, the EITC can top more than $5,000 – a significant boost for someone struggling to get by.

Many people do not know about the EITC, but with Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, tax filers not only save money on getting their return done, they get someone on their side to ensure they get all the refunds they qualify for.

To hear more about Guillermo’s story and Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, watch this ABC news clip!

about Chad, a 211 caller, this story is told by a 211 operator

Sometimes I forget that our country is at war. And sometimes, our men and women in uniform fall through the cracks when they return from serving abroad. As a United Way 211 call center specialist, I was glad to help one of those servicemen when he called the 211 helpline.

Chad served for four years, and after his return home, he was supposed to receive certain benefits. After months of not receiving a check and being given “the run-around,” Chad finally gave up and decided to call 211.

When I answered Chad’s call, he said he had only $4 in his bank account, his roommates were hounding him for rent, and he didn’t know how he was going to eat.

I was able to refer him to Peninsulaworks, an employment assistance center where he could also apply for General Assistance (GA), a cash assistance program for single adults, and CalFresh, a food assistance program. I also referred Chad to local food pantries so he could get something to eat while waiting for his CalFresh application to be approved. Finally, I referred him to the Daly City Community Service Center to find out about other financial-assistance programs.

Chad was very grateful, and said, “I got more help in four minutes from 211 than I did in four years of looking.” That made my day, and I felt like I had done my part to serve those who serve our country.

211 answered 185,000 calls last year, and is always happy to assist men and women in uniform who are struggling to get by. If you know someone who needs help and doesn’t know where to turn, urge them to call 211 which is open 24/7.

By Edmond, United Way SparkPoint client

I moved to the U.S. from the Philippines last year to be with my family. I live with my mother because I can’t afford a place on my own. I only get paid $8.50 an hour working in a residential hotel that mostly houses former addicts and people with a criminal record. It’s not a happy place, and residents get mugged every day.

It’s humbling. I really want to move out of my mother’s house. Grown men are supposed to be able to support themselves and not have to depend on relatives.

But my life is changing because of United Way’s SparkPoint. It’s a one-stop-shop, and I’m really getting the help I need. I’m working with a coach who hooked me up with financial aid to take computer classes. She helped me apply for credit cards so I could establish credit. And I learned how to be mature around money, budget, and save.

I am a simple man – I want a better job, my own place, a family, and a golden retriever. I have a long way to go, but with SparkPoint, I feel like I am well on my way to achieving my American Dream.

by Elisha, United Way Matchbridge Alumna

I grew up in the projects, in a neighborhood surrounded by negativity and a high-crime rate. I needed something positive and more motivating to look forward to.

I got help through United Way’s youth-employment program, MatchBridge.

The first time I got paid, I said, “WOW – there’s an actual check with my name on it that I can spend how I want.” That feeling was priceless.

I am here to say that we need these kinds of programs; it gives youth hope and the opportunity to get off the streets.

It has made a big difference for me, and it will make all the difference for the up-and-coming youth today.

Taking a chance on youth lets them get out into the world. It gives young people a chance to map out what we want to do in life, career wise, if we need more training, and if we need to go to college.

More importantly, it helps youth get focus, gives us a work ethic, and prepares us to work so that we can be successful as adults. This has a domino effect because we can then turn around and help those younger than us succeed too. And when we succeed, our whole community succeeds.

Etta, United Way SparkPoint client

You don’t know me, but I know you. You helped feed my family. My two daughters and I each lost about 20 pounds, but we weren’t on a diet, we were going hungry. But thanks to people like you who have supported United Way, we were able to turn our lives around.

I’m a single mom, and last year, I was unemployed for nine months. We had only $30 a month for food. We lived on rice, beans, milk, bread and little else. More often than not, we went hungry. My kids’ education started sliding. My younger daughter started struggling with her grades and getting into fights at school, and my older daughter was so stressed out that she didn’t graduate high school.

I felt desperate. Then a friend recommended United Way’s SparkPoint, where struggling families like mine can get back on our feet. I got help applying for food stamps and utilities assistance. More importantly, I got set up with a job coach who helped me revamp my resume and refocus my job search.

Almost instantaneously I started getting job calls. I was so shocked – in seven days, I had four interviews. I was hot that week! I got a job – and then another to help me catch up on my bills. My girls and I are no longer hungry. We are gaining weight. And my daughters have been able to focus on school rather than their hunger. Today, my younger girl is not fighting at school anymore, and she’s getting good progress reports. And I’m so proud that my older daughter just got her high school diploma!

I feel so much relief that I can provide for my daughters now and be what a mom should be so that they can go on and be who they are. United Way’s programs not only helped me, they helped me to help myself. I am so grateful.