This exclusive event was especially for SparkPoint members – clients who have utilized at least two services at the Center.  For all clients, SparkPoint strongly encourages taking advantage of multiple services, since clients who use at least two services are three times more likely to achieve a financial goal than clients who use only one.

SparkPoint also provides all members with a personal coach to help clients set and achieve long-term financial goals.  The coaches serve as financial advisors, providing a personalized connection to services, as well as the guidance and support members need to achieve long-term goals.

Learn more about SparkPoint here.

– Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

From the USA Today article, “Families in homeless shelters increased 7% in ’09“

Enjoy…

• A pancake breakfast
• More than a dozen local bands and performing groups
• Free refreshments, prizes, and giveaways
• Kid Races with free registration (12 and under)
• Costume Contests
• Community Fair with games and activities (more than 100 booths!)
• Family Fun Fair with giant inflatable playland

United Way is a proud sponsor of the Marin Human Race, which is organized by the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin.   Last year, the race raised more than $350,000 for the benefit of 115 Bay Area nonprofits and schools.

Learn how you can participate in the race, volunteer, or be a sponsor.

Photo courtesy of Dawn-Pink Chick via Creative Commons license.

Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger recommended diverting First 5 dollars to the state’s general fund.  Without this money, counties across California will lose services for thousands of children and families and give up millions of dollars in federal matching funds we simply cannot do without.  Read United Way’s letter HERE.

The good news is, our efforts are already having an impact.  Yesterday, SB1109 (Cox) was heard in the Senate Health Committee. This bill, which would strip the state and county First 5 commissions of their funding, was killed by a vote of 7 to 2!  However, reconsideration was granted to Senator Cox, meaning he can bring it back to committee for another vote.

If you are interested in helping us advocate for First 5 funding, please contact Susan Jeong on United Way’s public policy team.  She can be reached at sjeong@uwba.org or 415-808-4359.

Mary Castillo is now employed and supporting her family after graduating from Opportunity Junction, which is supported by United Way

Here is an inspiring success story from United Way grantee Opportunity Junction:

Mary Castillo had her life all planned out. She married her husband when she was 20 and spent the next 35 years staying home and raising their four children while her husband supported them.

All of that changed when her husband was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Mary spent the next two years taking care of her husband and living off their savings. She didn’t want him to worry, but Mary knew she couldn’t support herself, or her youngest son who was still in high school, when her husband passed away.

“I knew I needed to go to school or receive training,” Mary shares, “but I didn’t want to leave my husband. He thought our families would take care of me, but I needed to take care of myself.”

One month after her husband passed away, Mary saw an ad in the paper for Opportunity Junction, a United Way grantee that fights poverty by helping low-income adults gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families.

“I knew this was the place for me. I needed to start a career, and I needed to start it now.” Not only did the Job Training and Placement program at Opportunity Junction offer Mary the skills she needed to enter the workforce, it also was therapeutic during her grieving process.

“Being around other people, getting up and being productive, learning that I could learn new things all helped me grieve my loss and prepare for my new future,” said Mary.

Right before graduation from the program, Mary was handed another challenge–she gained temporary custody of her four grandchildren ages 2-10. She now had four more people depending on her. “For the first time ever, not only was I a working mom, I was a single working mom.”

As part of the Opportunity Junction program, Mary accepted an internship with hiring partner GWF Power Systems as an office administrative assistant. Although the temporary position was supposed to end in February, Mary proved herself in the workplace and had her position extended. Just last month, her hours were increased and there is the possibility of her position becoming regular/full-time in the next couple of months.

“Because of Opportunity Junction, I have what I need to be successful,” Mary says. “I know how to make myself indispensable, and I don’t let self-doubt stop me from supporting my family.”

Learn more about how Opportunity Junction is empowering people to be financially self-sufficient at www.opportunityjunction.org.