In a time of layoffs and foreclosures, there’s some good news for low-income taxpayers in the Bay Area: instead of spending up to $360 on commercial tax preparation services, households that earned less than $52,000 in 2009 can have their taxes prepared for free by Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, the Bay Area’s largest [...]
Bay Area Companies Brighten the Holidays for 40 Nonprofits
January 4, 2010 By
United Way’s “Adopt a Nonprofit” program was a big success. More than a dozen companies brightened the holidays by fulfilling the wish lists of 40 nonprofits throughout the region. Wish lists included requests for toys for needy children, as well as clothing and kitchen items for shelters that serve the homeless and victims of [...]
Quote of the Day
November 23, 2009 By
“When I see a youth that has potential, I let them know. Even if they have struggles or challenges, I tell them, ‘You have potential and this is just a tough time right now that you are going to have to break through.’” – Mayela Gutknecht, Youth Specialist, MatchBridge From the CBS-5’s news story, “Service [...]
Pay It Forward
November 18, 2009 By
In their latest newsletter, MatchBridge Executive Director Emily Linaman urges San Francisco business professionals to “Pay It Forward” by supporting and mentoring youth. We’ve posted her message in full below. In the video, Emily explains in her own words what inspires her and offers advice to young job seekers. As we enter yet another holiday [...]
Creative Solutions for Tough Times
November 17, 2009 By
Recently, The San Francisco Chronicle invited United Way share our perspective about how Bay Area families, and the nonprofits who serve them, are coping with the economic crisis. United Way Chief Executive Officer Anne Wilson and VP of Community Investments Lorne Needle wrote an opinion editorial for the newspaper, describing how United Way programs — [...]
Meet the Experts: Tse Ming Tam, VP Community Investments, East Bay
November 11, 2009 By
Tse Ming Tam joined United Way of The Bay Area in September 2006 and oversees our grant making in the East Bay. He is also responsible for the development of our SparkPoint Initiative, which helps low-income families achieve financial stability. United Way: What part of your job do you enjoy the most? Tse Ming: I’ve [...]
Help Make Tax Time Less Taxing
November 4, 2009 By
You can help low-wage families hold on to more of their hard-earned money. United Way is now recruiting volunteers for Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, a program that provides free tax assistance to hardworking, low-income taxpayers throughout the Bay Area. Last year, the program helped 47,166 Bay Area households claim $47 million in refunds. Participating taxpayers save up [...]
T'is the Season for a Job
November 3, 2009 By
This month, United Way community project MatchBridge kicks off its second annual Seasonal Job Fair series. Top retailers – including Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Gap, Old Navy, and several others – will partner with MatchBridge to meet their hiring needs for the holiday season. MatchBridge members, who are youth between the ages of 16 and [...]
SparkPoint Inspires Hope
November 2, 2009 By
Caroline Mack said she thought she was going to jail, because that’s what the creditors were telling her. Her husband took care of everything, so when he died two years ago, things quickly began to deteriorate for the 52-year-old mother of two. The Belize native said she’s not sure where she’d be now if she [...]
Dial 2-1-1 for H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Info
November 2, 2009 By
Information about flu vaccinations in the Bay Area – for both seasonal and H1N1/”swine” flu – is available in more than 150 languages by simply dialing 2-1-1. Your local 2-1-1 call center can answer questions, such as: Where is the vaccine available in my county? Who is eligible to receive the vaccine? (Eligibility varies by [...]
