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Detox Center Update: Construction Is Underway!
Ellsworth Kincaid Construction, headquartered in Boise, received the construction award for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Crisis Center project located in southwest Boise. The photos on the right depict activity underway at the site on Allumbaugh Street near the Ada County Jail and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. The project is scheduled to be open-for-business in March, 2010.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) to interested facility operators was released on June 22nd. On July 15th, two working sessions will be held. One will address questions specific to potential operators; and the other will update partner organizations in our communities who already serve those individuals likely to need this facility. The goal is to develop a network of service providers and build a continuum of care for clients of the facility.
 For the past decade, our region has recognized the need for a treatment facility for non-incarcerated, low-income individuals suffering from substance abuse or mental health issues. The costs to the community for not intervening are expensive hospital charges or even worse, incarceration. Many proposals have been attempted, but all have failed for various reasons. United Way of Treasure Valley made providing these services a priority; and through the commitment of our Board, our staff, and our many community partner organizations, the project is now being realized. United Way has been instrumental in helping secure funding through State, federal, and private grants, as well as targeted funds through Idaho's Congressional Delegation. To learn more about this project contact Gaye Bennett.
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Welcome 2009 Campaign Chair
 United Way is pleased to announce that Gary Raney, Ada County Sheriff, will serve as our 2009 Campaign Chair. This year's campaign will kick-off on August 27th with an outdoor breakfast at the Boise Centre on the Grove plaza - see below for more details.
As campaign chair, Sheriff Raney will oversee an annual campaign that raised $5.9 million in 2008, with a special focus on contributions to the Community Fund that supports services to low-income individuals and families. Last year's campaign involved more than 300 Treasure Valley organizations, 400 volunteers, and some 17,000 donors.
"United Way has always been among the leading organizations in our community for creating positive change and making a difference," said Raney. "Change does not occur with one person or one group. United Way is the organization that recognizes many people and many groups need to be invested in the community for meaningful change to really happen. I'm excited about chairing the 2009 Campaign because I know that collaboration on important issues will be the key to keeping the Treasure Valley the place where I want my daughter to live and raise her family, just like my wife and I have."
Besides serving on United Way's Board of Directors, Sheriff Raney is also on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Idaho Sheriff's Association, and the Ada County Drug and Mental Health Court. Raney has worked for Ada County since 1983 and was sworn in as Ada County Sheriff in 2005.
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 Mark your calendar for Thursday, August 27th and plan to join us at our Second Annual United Way Campaign Kick-Off Flapjack Feed, 7:30 - 10:00am at the Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza. The entire community is invited. The event features live entertainment and local celebrities serving up pancakes. The all-you-can-eat breakfast deal of the year is just $5 bucks with proceeds going directly into the United Way Community Fund to help those in need in the Treasure Valley. Kids under 12 eat for just $2. Besides flapjacks, the menu includes eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, a fruit topping station, juice, and coffee, with much of the food being donated by one of our sponsors, J.R. Simplot Company.
 Click here to see photos of last year's kick-off event. No advance ticket purchase is necessary - you can pay at the event. If your organization is interested in purchasing a block of 20 tickets or more, contact Tod McKay.
This year's campaign kick-off breakfast is sponsored by Albertsons/SUPERVALU, J.R. Simplot Company, and KTVB Idaho's News Channel 7.
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Kindergarten Readiness Boot Camp - In The News
 School is out and summer has started for most students in the Treasure Valley, but for 115 low-income, high risk kids entering kindergarten this fall, their school experience is just starting. The students are part of United Way's Born Learning - Targeted Outreach Program, now in its third year - and are participating in Kindergarten Readiness Boot Camps taking place at five Title I elementary schools in Boise, Kuna, Nampa, and Caldwell.
Click here for a peak at the boot camp at Boise's Whittier Elementary School. KTVB Reporter Ysabel Bilbao interviews LeAnn Simmons, United Way's Director of Education Initiatives, along with parents and Boise teacher, Becky Paslay.
 At camp, the students become comfortable with a classroom setting, learn to write their name, identify shapes, letters and sounds, and count. The program, funded 100% by private donations, is already showing impressive results. Last year, 56% of the children who participated scored at or above grade level when they started Kindergarten, compared to 17% of their classmates who did not participate in the Readiness Camps.
Program partners include The Learning Lab, Treasure Valley YMCA, Life's Kitchen, Humphreys Diabetes Center, Wendy's, Paul's Market, Treasure Valley Reading Foundation, Boise, Caldwell, and Nampa City Recreation Departments, and the Caldwell, Boise, Kuna, and Nampa School Districts.
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United Way Attends National Conference On Service And Volunteering
 First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off the National Conference on Service and Volunteerism with the declaration "giving back is cool again..." and brought the house down.
Five thousand volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors heard the First Lady's call to service at last weeks' conference, the largest gathering of its type in the world.
Neva Geisler, United Way's Director of Volunteer Engagement, attended the three-day conference with Teresa Poppen, Executive Director of the OneStone Foundation and a volunteer advisor to our annual Alternative Spring Break program. They heard from a diverse group of presenters representing the political arena, entertainment industry, and business sectors; but the message was the same: economic recovery isn't just a government issue, it's a community issue, and it will take everyone working together to make a change.
To support this call to action, the White House is rolling out " United We Serve", a nationwide service initiative - supported by United Way of America, among others - that will help meet growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn. The initial phase of United We Serve runs for 81 days through a new National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11.
Reinforcing this call to service is the Entertainment Industry Foundation that is launching a multi-year campaign to help make service and volunteerism a national priority. Beginning October 19, broadcast networks will use America's favorite TV shows and personalities to shine a spotlight on the power of service.
Want to be a part of the compassion boom? Contact Neva Geisler or visit United Way of Treasure Valley's online Volunteer Center and find out how to connect to the swell of service sweeping the country, right here in your own backyard.
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IDA Success Story
 In April 2008, single mom Lynee Noseworthy enrolled in United Way of Treasure Valley's Individual Development Account (IDA) program with the goal of saving for a down payment to purchase her family's first home. With the help of her case manager at Catholic Charities of Idaho and her own diligence and hard work, Lynee was able to reach that goal; and last month we all gathered to celebrate and dedicate her new Habitat for Humanity home in Boise. With privately raised matching funds, IDA program federal funds, and Lynee's savings, she accumulated $6,000 towards her down payment. When asked how the IDA program was different than other financial assistance programs she answered, "The IDA program gave me hope. It forced me to be accountable."
 As we enter our 4th year of the program, we have 91 active IDA investors who are saving towards a first-time home purchase, post-secondary education, or starting a small business. We have had 16 successful participants achieve their goals, graduate from the program, and are well on their way to self-sufficiency through asset-ownership. We still have accounts available to qualifying participants - 29 in Canyon County and 3 education IDA accounts for Boise residents. If you would like to learn more about United Way's IDA program contact Joyce Bailey.
WANTED: 2009 Loaned Executives
 United Way is again enlisting the support of volunteers and businesses for this year's Loaned Executive (LE) Program. Each year local businesses and organizations lend talented employees who work for United Way as campaign account managers during the campaign season.
Loaned Executives enhance their professional skills, make valuable business connections and help United Way of Treasure Valley raise millions of dollars for the community. Special thanks to this year's program sponsor KeyBank. If you are interested in participating in our Loaned Executive Program, or are an organization who would like to sponsor an LE, please contact Kathy Wold.
BREAKING NEWS
William W. "Bill" Deal, Director of the Idaho Department of Insurance, will be this year's Chair of the Idaho State Employees Charitable Giving Campaign that is administered by United Way of Treasure Valley. Director Deal's special emphasis for his Department is on customer service which goes hand-in-hand with charitable giving
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"Did you Know?"
Each month we feature interesting facts, information and trivia about United Way in our e-newsletter. Answer the question below correctly and you could win some cool prizes courtesy of our generous Caring Club merchants and local retailers.
Trivia Question:
How many low-income students in the Treasure Valley are participating this summer in United Way's Born Learning - Kindergarten Readiness Boot Camps?
This month's trivia contest winner will win receive a $10 gift certificate courtesy of Albertsons and United Way.
Submit your answer here.
Good Luck!
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Trivia Contest Winner
Congratulations to Dennis Warren, Blue Cross of Idaho, last month's trivia contest winner. Dennis correctly identified how many Treasure Valley, non-profit organizations received a 2009-10 United Way Community Fund Grant.
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Upcoming Events
Prospective Detox Project Operators Pre-Proposal Conference
Wednesday, July 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
United Way of Treasure Valley Conference Room
For more information contact: Gaye Bennett
Partner Organizations' Community Detox Project Update
Wednesday, July 15, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
University of Phoenix - Magic View Campus, Room 188
For more information contact: Gaye Bennett
Poverty Simulation
Friday, July 31, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Idaho Power Company - 1st Floor Conference Room
For more information contact: Kathy Wold
2009 Campaign Coordinators Training Luncheon
Thursday, August 13, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center - McCleary Auditorium
For more information contact Kathy Wold
United Way Campaign Kick-Off FlapJack Feed
Sponsored by Albertsons/SUPERVALU, Simplot, KTVB
Thursday, August 27, 7:30- 10:00 a.m.
Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza
All-you-can-eat buffet breakfast, $5-adults, $2-kids
For blocks of 20 or more tickets contact: Tod McKay
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