United Way of the Bay Area Blog
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San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined United Way to announce the launch of San Francisco Summer Jobs+, the local response to President Obama’s national call to action to create pathways to employment for youth this summer. The goal is to create 5,000 jobs and paid internships for young people [...]
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. I am glad that I can provide help for vets through the 211 helpline. Chad served for four years, and after his return home, the Veteran’s Administration (VA) [...]
“Policy makers have dropped the ball completely in terms of dealing with this devastating long-term trend of ever-increasing economic insecurity for American families. Long-term solutions that have to do with extensive job creation and a strengthening of the safety net are required.” – New York Times columnist Bob Herbert From his New York Times [...]
Oakland resident Jackie B. came to SparkPoint Oakland Center in January after seeing an ABC-7 news segment about SparkPoint. After being unemployed for two years, Jackie hoped SparkPoint could help with her job search. SparkPoint career coach Lloyd Williams worked with Jackie to refresh her job-search strategies. Lloyd is an employee of the Workforce Collaborative, one [...]
Last night, United Way’s Emerging Leaders held a cocktail reception with special guest Fiona Ma, Speaker pro Tempore of the CA State Assembly. Hosted by Winston and Strawn LLP, The Speaker Pro Tem shared her personal story, and her transition from small business owner to politician. She reminded United Way’s Emerging Leaders that change is [...]
Ten years ago today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously to designate 211 as the nation’s three-digit phone number for community service information. The FCC designated 211 in response to advocacy by United Way of America and AIRS (Alliance of Information and Referral Systems). Last year, 211 answered 16 million calls, helping people in [...]
United Way community project MatchBridge was featured this week on KQED Radio News. The four-minute segment, “Help for Teens Facing a Bleak Summer Job Market,” describes how MatchBridge provides meaningful summer jobs for teens. Listen to the audio clip.
U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo and United Way gathered business and community leaders at a rally today at a UPS facility in Sunnyvale to urge Congress to approve the Calling for 211 Act (H.R.211/S.211), which will expand the 211 information and referral service to all Americans. The bill will support expansion of 211 to the entire [...]
One in every three high school graduates was college ready.. .the top five counties were all in the Bay Area. –College Readiness Data, via kidsdata.org
San Leandro resident Thomas R. came to United Way’s SparkPoint Oakland Center because his family was struggling to adapt to changes in their economic situation. Job loss, and subsequent re-employment at a lower salary, meant that they were struggling to make mortgage and credit card payments, and were having a hard time getting used to [...]
