Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Kicks Off 10th Year Today

January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Our free tax sites open the door to programs that empower people to improve their finances.  In addition to saving families hundreds of dollars on tax preparation, our sites connect low-income families with programs that can help them start saving, go back to school, get a good job, buy a first home or start a new business.”

- Kelly Batson, a director of United Way’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, which kicks off its 10th year in the Bay Area today.

The Earn It! Keep It! Save It! coalition provides free tax preparation at more than 200 Bay Area locations to households that earned less than $50,000 in 2011. To find a tax site, call 211 or visit www.EarnItKeepItSaveIt.org.

Last year, the program prepared taxes for nearly 60,000 families and helped bring back $63.8 million in tax refunds back into our community. That money gets spent locally, helping generate economic growth, jobs, and a stronger tax base.

Read the press release.

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: ,

Set Your Sights on California’s Top Jobs

January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ever wonder which industries are growing? What kind of jobs will be available in 5 or 10 years?

Wonder no more. Campaign for Young America has produced a one-page brief that highlights the best job opportunities in California over the next several years.

According to the brief, 61% of jobs in California will require more than a high school diploma in 2018.  It highlights the top “growth” jobs that require education or training after high school.

Do you know a young person who wants to improve his or her career prospects? In addition to sharing the brief, encourage him or her to connect with United Way’s MatchBridge and SparkPoint.

MatchBridge helps young people find jobs and internships, gaining work-based learning experiences that inspire them to pursue the post-secondary credentials that can prepare them for a rewarding career and self-sufficiency.

At SparkPoint, partners like Opportunity Junction and the Stride Center provide vocational training opportunities for individuals seeking to gain additional skills that will make them stand out in the job market.

Learn more at www.MatchBridge.org and www.SparkPointCenters.org.

Filed Under: Income, Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: ,

Boxer Turns Anger into Fuel for Success

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

When James Buggs was growing up, he had to hustle for lunch money and wore only hand me downs. He got teased and got into fights.  When he was 18, he entered the army and turned his anger toward boxing. The sport taught him self-esteem and how to push himself. Years later, he had a similar experience at United Way’s SparkPoint.

James first came to SparkPoint for help looking for a job. He got set up with a financial coach who worked with him with him on his resume, helped him be more professional, and connected him to a jobs program for ex-military. With SparkPoint, he now feels he has a better future.

“I’ve got three kids, and I never want to wait until their shoes are worn out until I replace them,” said James.  “I want to do right by my kids, and when you come into SparkPoint, you can’t help but feel like you’re going to move forward. The coaches want to help you and truly want to see you do better.”

Through the jobs program, James earned certification to become a security guard. He’s already picked up some part time work. At the same time, he produced an instructional video about boxing that he hopes will generate additional income.

“What boxing and SparkPoint have in common is that they both make me push myself and challenge myself,” said James. “Anything is possible as long as you believe it’s possible. Nothing is impossible unless you say it is.”

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty
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