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| Albertsons' Boise Open Gift to Born Learning |
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Albertsons' Boise Open presented by Kraft held their Charity Appreciation luncheon December 16th where United Way of Treasure Valley's Born Learning Program received a check for $25,000 as a primary beneficiary of this year's golf tournament. A big thank you goes to SUPERVALU/Albertsons for sponsoring this event. A record amount of money was raised this year for local charities. Watch for information in upcoming newsletters on purchasing your 2010 TICKETS Fore CHARITY for the Albertsons' Boise Open and supporting Born Learning.
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| Born Learning Results for 2009
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United Way's Born Learning, a school readiness targeted outreach project, began in 2007 as a pilot program. The initiative's goal is to encourage Treasure Valley parents to prepare their children for success in school, work and life through active involvement in their child's earliest learning experiences. The program includes a Kindergarten Readiness Camp during summer in selected schools in the Boise, Nampa, Kuna and Caldwell school districts. 105 Treasure Valley preschool children attended the camps in 2009 and learned new skills including shapes, letters, sounds, how to count and more. Treasure Valley Family YMCA educators provided camp the programming. Along with the Kindergarten Readiness Camps, the children and their families also participated in five Family Activity Nights, a series of on-site parenting and 'Parent and Child Together Time' classes to help prepare families for the transition to school. The sessions were taught by Learning Lab and Humphrey's Diabetes Center educators. Learning Lab focused on school readiness skills while Humphrey's focused on the importance of good nutrition for learning.
"The goal of Born Learning Targeted Outreach is to increase each child's social, emotional, and physical development with an emphasis on developing their literacy and school readiness skills," said Sally Zive, president and CEO, United Way of Treasure Valley. "We know that nearly 1 in 3 low-income Treasure Valley children (32%) are entering Kindergarten today at risk for failure due to low pre-literacy rates. We think this is unacceptable."
- The program targets children who will attend the Title 1 schools, with the highest correlation of poverty and low pre-literacy rates.
- 40% of the children that were in the program this year scored at grade level
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| Home Federal Bank Foundation Takes the Lead
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In May, United Way of Treasure Valley convened leaders of domestic violence agencies in Ada, Canyon, and Gem Counties to discuss a new proposal introduced by Impact Council member and associate professor at Boise State University's School of Social Work Cynthia Sanders, PhD, MSW. Dr. Sanders was involved in the initial development of the ROW/REAP program in St. Louis and, based on evaluations of its outcomes, wanted to offer it as a possible solution to the growing need in the Treasure Valley for financial literacy services and opportunities to help alleviate economic abuse among those in our communities who turn to domestic violence agencies for sanctuary from their abusers. With the enthusiastic endorsement of the six domestic violence organizations, United Way prepared a position paper that was unanimously endorsed by the Impact Council who offered breakthrough funding for the pilot program.
Earlier this week, the Home Federal Bank Foundation Board considered and awarded project funding for this collaboration at the $5,000 level. They are the first private funder to step forward recognizing the importance of this innovative collaboration to provide help for families dealing with instability at home.
Please join us in extending our gratitude to their insightful recognition of the growing needs in the Treasure Valley as more and more individuals and families face new challenges brought on by job loss, frustration, and strain on existing resources during these difficult economic times.
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| Wells Fargo Foundation Fills The Gap |
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As an original member of the Mayor's Community Detox Steering Committee committed to solving the need for a sobering and detoxification center that also addresses crisis mental health issues, United Way of Treasure Valley has served as the fiscal agent for the purpose of identifying and applying for grants to fund both the construction and operation of this project. The facility is located on Allumbaugh Street in Boise and will operate under the name "Allumbaugh House." It will provide sobering services, medically monitored substance abuse detoxification services, and emergency mental health services to low-income, non-incarcerated adults. It's scheduled to open in March, 2010 under the operations of Terry Reilly Health Services. It is the first project of its type in the State of Idaho and is designed as a prototype for communities in other regions of our State.
Each member of the governing board of directors is charged with providing proportional funding to fulfill the "ramp-up" operational budget. However, during these difficult economic times and budgetary concerns, especially of public entities, a short-fall was identified. As an important community partner in the Treasure Valley, Wells Fargo Bank Foundation announced last week they have awarded a $5,000 grant to United Way of Treasure Valley to alleviate that short-fall in the Allumbaugh House start-up budget. Thank you to Wells Fargo's foundation for their financial help at a critical time in the progression of this community project.
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Investment Process Kicks Off!
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Each year, funds from United Way's Community Fundare invested in programs and initiatives that impact in our community in three areas: Education, Income and Health. This is a community driven process. On December 3,rd United Way held an Investment Volunteer Reception at Beside Bardenay to celebrate the kickoff of this process. The event, sponsored by Intermountain Community Bank, was attended by United Way Staff, Board members, and volunteers who will commit their time to ensure that United Way funds are invested in quality programs. Jennifer Deroin pictured here joined us and shared ICB's vision and support for the community.
Over 80 volunteers will review grant applications, attend site visits and engage in discussions with non-profit leaders in the Treasure Valley. To see a complete list of programs that have applied for funding, visit 2010-11 Grant Applicants. The volunteers' funding recommendations will be made to United Way of Treasure Valley's Community Impact Council, which presents the recommendations to the Board of Directors in March, 2010.
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Give.
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Giving now is the easiest and most powerful way to invest in your community. Regardless of what you're able to give, your investment is making powerful, long-lasting changes throughout the community. Remember, by working together we can accomplish more than anyone can on their own. Click here...
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Advocate.
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You can be an advocate by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people.
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Volunteer.
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United Way and Volunteer Centers work with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors.
Read more
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