SPRING 2017

UNITED WAY of TULARE COUNTY

Get ready to be energized as several hundred women gather for the POWER of the PURSE fundraiser hosted by the United Way of Tulare County’s Women’s Leadership Council. Women from throughout Tulare County will gather to support United Way’s Literacy Project. An early morning event set for May 12 at the Visalia Convention Center, POWER of the PURSE offers attendees the opportunity connect, revive, and thrive.

The event draws women for a variety of reasons—an energizing morning out with their friends, an elite motivational speaker, and the chance to win designer handbags via a raffle. But more importantly, attendees gather to support United Way’s fight against illiteracy in Tulare County.

Continued on Page 3  

The “Can’t Miss” Event of 2017 POWER of the PURSE set for May 12 in Visalia

Inside This Issue. . . PAGE 2 MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR K-3 TEACHERS NEEDING BOOKS

PAGE 3 FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER

PAGE 5 DAY of ACTION OFFERS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Child actor Caleb Brown ignited the catwalk at last year’s Power of the Purse.

May 11 Workshop Aimed at Helping Nonprofit Staffers

Understand Why They Matter

Matt Emerzian Nationally-Acclaimed

Speaker & Author

Author and founder of “Every Monday Matters,” Matt Emerzian kicks-off UWTC’s Capacity Building for 2017 by sharing his personal journey of losing himself in the world of music and Hollywood to finding meaning through service.

On May 11th at the Visalia Marriott, Emerzian will lead attendees through a process of improving individual capacity for impact helping to strengthen vision and become a force of positive change with their organization and the communities they serve.

From TEDx Talk, to constant speaking engagements around the nation, Emerzian is committed inspiring individuals create a culture of purpose and service. The three-hour workshop is free for staff of community benefit/nonprofit organizations in Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Madera counties.

For more information, contact susan@unitedwaytc.org. Learn more and register by visiting: www.unitedwaytc.org/capacitybuilding.html.

“The power of us individually matters. We can choose to ignore it or choose to

be empowered and make a difference.” —Matt Emerzian

The Literacy Pro ject 2017/18

Mini-Grants Available for K-3 Teachers Needing Books in Their Classrooms The United Way of Tulare County (UWTC) is offering mini‐grants to K‐3rd grade teachers in Tulare County in need of books for their classrooms. Last year, The Literacy Project of UWTC awarded over $12,000 in mini‐grants to twenty K‐3 teachers to strengthen their ability to promote and encourage reading in their classrooms. From Three Rivers to Tulare, Porterville to Dinuba—recipient teachers were able to buy the books they needed.

In addi on to the mini‐grants, UWTC provided $5,000 in funding for a new Tulare elementary school needing books to grow their library , and a li le free libraries project in Farmersville where it is report 75% of the children do not read at grade level by third grade. UWTC’s partners have also become involved with The Literacy Project, with Cigna employees in Visalia dona ng over 500 boos for children.

According to sta s cs, the illiteracy rate in Tulare County is 41%, compared to a rate of 23% for the rest of California’s popula on. Sta s cs also show students who leave third grade without reading proficiently are four mes more likely to leave high school without a diploma, which is why the mini‐grant program is focused on reaching K‐3 students. UWTC knows the impact of illiteracy is far‐reaching.

“United Way fights for the health, educa on, and financial stability of every person in every Tulare County community,” said Rosemary Caso, UWTC Execu ve Director. “But without literacy, how can one obtain an educa on? Without literacy and an educa on, how does a person become financially stable? And without literacy, an educa on, and financial stability, how does one obtain quality health care?”

With a simple applica on, K‐3 teachers in Tulare County can apply for funding to provide needed books for their classrooms. The Literacy Project of UWTC will be awarding the mini‐grants to K‐3 teachers in Tulare County for the 2017/18 school year. The deadline for submi ng applica ons is May 24, 2017. A review team composed of the UWTC’s Women’s Leadership Council will read, score and rank all proposals. Funding decisions will be announced on August 4, 2017.

The monies for The Literacy Project of UWTC are the result of proceeds from UWTC’s POWER of the PURSE fundraiser set for May 12 and hosted by the Women’s Leadership Project of UWTC.

For more informa on or to access the applica on, visit: www.unitedwaytc.org

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UNITED WAY of TULARE COUNTY

“I greatly appreciate the grant. I usually use my whole classroom budget on paint, paper, pencils,

glue, and folders. This grant enabled me to purchase books to inspire kids to read.”

Lori Olvera-Clarkson Kindergarten Teacher

Goshen Elementary School

Bottom Right-Miss Tulare County Princess & UWTC Ambassador,

Keira Bixler, seen here reading to Porterville students,

is a strong and active advocate for literacy.

At Left:

Miss Tulare County

Princess & UWTC

Ambassador,

Keira Bixler,

joins Cigna

team members

during their

book drive.

PAGE TWO

PAGE THREE

UNITED WAY of TULARE COUNTY

Connect. Revive. Thrive.

POWER of the PURSE Leads Literacy Efforts in Tulare County

POWER of the PURSE SPONSORS 2017

P R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R S

RUIZ FOODS TULARE OUTLETS

UPS

D I S T I N G U I S H E D S P O N S O R S

ED DENA ’ S AUTO CENTER

P R I M A R Y S P O N S O R S

ABC Bookkeeping & Tax Services Central Valley Community Bank

Eagle Mountain Casino Eco Flower EECU

Tulare County Cabrillo Club #12 Tule River Tribe of California

Visalia Rawhide 

                       P R I M A R Y S P O N S O R S

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1—The event, now in its second year, proved women are a powerful force in creating positive change in local communities. In 2016, the event raised over $12,000 which was awarded to twenty K-3rd grade teachers throughout Tulare County who were need of books for their classrooms.

UWTC and their Women’s Leadership Council promises lots of excitement during POWER of the PURSE, but the event also provides an inspirational component.

AAA Mobile Solutions Armstrong Property Mgt. Buckman-Mitchell, Inc. Cigna First 5 Tulare County Holvik Health Kaweah Delta Health Care District Rush Advertising Specialties The Creative Center Tulare Youth Services Bureau Visalia Chamber of Commerce

The keynote speaker this year is Matt Emerzian, a crusader of community service. He is an in-demand public speaker with his own TEDx Talk, the writer of a weekly column featured in 400 news-papers nationwide, the creator of a nonprofit foundation, and the author of “Every Monday Matters.”

The early morning event starts promptly at 7 a.m. with breakfast which features the table-to-table modeling of the purses and the frenzied purchase of raffle tickets. Emerzian will take the stage following the breakfast segment, followed by the purse models on the catwalk to raffle the purses. The grand prize drawing concludes the event at approximately 9 a.m.

Last year, 36 new designer purses, hand-bags, weekenders, and totes were raffled. From Dooney & Burke to Michael Kors, Coach to Kate Spade POWER of the PURSE will not disappoint.

To reserve your table, secure your tickets, view the purses, see the entire listing of all of our amazing sponsors, and learn more, visit: http://www.unitedwaytc.org/pop2017.html

 

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UNITED WAY of TULARE

Funding for Emergency Food & Shelter Available United Way of Tulare County (UWTC) is now accepting grant applications from organizations seeking funding for emergency food and shelter. Funds are available to supplement feeding, sheltering, and utility assistance.

According to UWTC Executive Director Rosemary Caso, the need for food tops requests by county residents utilizing the organization’s 2-1-1 help center. Utility assistance is the second most requested area of need.

“Over 23% of Tulare County residents live in poverty,” stated Caso. “We are focused on creating a community where all individuals thrive, so providing food and shelter is key to promoting a sense of equity in our county.”

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), which is administered by UWTC, supplements and expands the work of local social service agencies to help people with economic emergencies.

EFSP applications are due on or before Friday, April 21, 2017 at 2 p.m. To obtain more information on EFSP, or access the application, visit: www.unitedwaytc.org.

# L i v e U n i t e d The United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every Tulare County community.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

“Over 23% of Tulare County residents live in poverty. We are focused on creating a community where all individuals thrive, so providing food and shelter is key to promoting a sense of equity in our county.”

Rosemary Caso UWTC Executive Director

UWTC volunteers were out at over 25 Tulare County classrooms on Read Across America Day, including five CHP officers. Our volunteers create positive change in our communities.

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UNITED WAY of TULARE COUNTY

Your Opportunity to #LiveUnited on June 21 United Way’s DAY of ACTION Empowers Volunteers to Build Stronger Communities

What: United Way DAY of ACTION Volunteer Opportunity

When: Wednesday, June 21st

Where: Communities all over Tulare County

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

United Way of Tulare County (UWTC) is rallying hundreds of volunteers throughout of the community on June 21 for United Way DAY of ACTION an annual event mobilizing the caring power of volunteers to make a meaningful impact in more than 400 United Ways across the U.S. and in 20 countries.

Here in Tulare County, volunteers will be distributing door hangers which provide specific information on 2-1-1, the United Way Program which connects people in need with services via a phone call, cell phone app, or a search on the 2-1-1 website. We invite everyone to be part of the change in driving lasting change and results in Tulare County.

“We want to get the relevant information about 2-1-1 out to underserved communi-ties,” explained Martin Nogues, UWTC’s 2-1-1 Director. “We want everyone to know United Way is nearby and ready to help, but we need lots of volunteers to make this happen.”

According to Nogues, a successful United Way DAY of ACTION depends on the en-gagement of volunteers willing to get out in every Tulare County community and canvas the areas with door hangers. “If everyone would just commit to covering their own community on June 21st, we could make a big impact. We need to be in Woodlake, Farmersville, New London, Terra Bella, and Earlimart. Information on 2-1-1 is vital when an individual or a family is in need or in crisis.

United Way DAY of ACTION is a snapshot of what United Way does all year long – galvanizing people around solutions to build stronger communities.

Interested individuals and teams can visit UWTC’s Project Volunteer website to get more information and sign up for United Way DAY of ACTION. Visit: www.unitedwaytc.org/volunteer.html

FACT: DID YOU KNOW... ...over 100 volunteers took time to #LiveUnited made the United Way food booth at the February World Ag Expo a huge success. Whether it was grilling fried bologna sandwiches, or rolling up tri-tip breakfast burritos, or cooking up big vats of chili beans, volunteers were the big difference makers at the three-day event which serves as a major fundraiser for United Way of Tulare County.