Blogs

Last night was another successful Nonprofit Networking Night that allowed those in the nonprofit sector to mix and mingle. EnTrust Community Services, an organization that focuses its efforts to assisting people with disabilities was our dedicated host. Program Developer, Mark James, informed the crowd about the history, struggles and many successes that EnTrust has experienced over the past 30 years. The night also offered the opportunity for attendees to see the Adult Day Health area where EnTrust participants can tap into their creative side and express their emotions through art, work on computers and receive physical therapy. A board of “Major Concerns for Nonprofits” started a conversation amoung attendees to help those who are shy make new connections and give feedback to the members of the Nonprofit Network Committee. Join us next time Wednesday, June 5 at YWCA of Yakima!
 

Want to help thousands who need a hand up in Central Washington? Now you can through GIVE $5 TELL 5! This social media campaign offers a way to strengthen our community and improve lives by supporting United Way's focus on EDUCATION, INCOME, and HEALTH. Find more information on this campaign and ways to take action now by clicking HERE!

National Volunteer Week (April 21-27) is a time to encourage, inspire and recognize those in the community who have turned their passion into action! Millions of people across the country will be joining forces and taking time to volunteer in their communities.

Nonprofits are always in need of extra help whether it be delivering meals, putting up a fence or helping a child. United Way of Central Washington urges you to join other community members in Yakima and Kittitas Counties to work on a volunteer project.

Be sure to check out our volunteer page to see some projects that are already in place!

Everyday I’m sure you wake up and ask: how can I help my community? Sometimes you might struggle to figure it out. Well, not anymore. UWCW is now offering Everyday Caring projects that will allow you to potentially volunteer any day of the year.
 

How to get started: Check out our updated Volunteer page!
 

This page now offers features for our volunteers and partner agencies. As a volunteer you will be able to view all of our Everyday Caring projects for 2013. Now if you don’t find what you are looking for, because you know how you’d like to volunteer, let us know.  
 

If you are a Partner Agency and want to submit an Everyday Caring project it’s just one click away. Once you submit the project UWCW will list your agency and projects for all potential volunteers to browse through.
 

UWCW is asking for you to work with us and VOLUNTEER NOW!
 

Last year, a few local nonprofit leaders started a conversation about how Yakima County nonprofits can better meet the needs of our community and provide more effective service.  As a result, a planning committee was formed and Nonprofit Networking Nights and Brown Bag Lunches were created. Both events give an opportunity for Board Members, Staff and Volunteers of our local nonprofits to meet in an informal, low pressure setting to network and learn from one another.
 

Our first Nonprofit Networking night of the year was hosted by Allied Arts and spotlighted the AmeriCorps VISTA program. This night gave an opportunity for attendees to see the latest art in the gallery and breifly learn about the VISTAs who serve as capacity builder for various organizations around Yakima County. The upcoming Night, on May 1st, hosted by EnTrust Community Services, will spotlight their Project Discovery (transitional service) program. 
 

A grant writing brown bag lunch was recently held on April 3rd at the Yakima Chamber of Commerce. This lunch had representatives from 13 different nonprofits and offered materials from expert grant writers in our community.  Participants were able to learn about the steps in the grant process as well as insight on techniques and tactics of grant writing.
 

It’s time to inspire, collaborate and support each other- attend the Nonprofit Network events! Join our Yakima Nonprofits Facebook group to stay connected and learn about nonprofit resources and events.

Come and check out this informal mingling opportunity! To continue the success of nonprofit networking events, one of our partner agencies, EnTrust Community Services, will be hosting the latest installment of the Nonprofit Networking Nights. On May 1st from 4:30 - 6:00pm local nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers will have the chance to network as well as hear about EnTrust's project search and discovery. Contact Bethany for additional information and if you want to host an upcoming event!

Marissa “Missy” Garvin is a Silverdale native who recently completed two years with the Peace Corps in Paraguay. As a VISTA, she will be working with John Warren and Sam Martinez on the upcoming campaign and marketing as well as improving our social media capabilities.  

Bethany VonSeggern is most recently from Wyoming, where she served two years as a VISTA. She is now serving her third VISTA term working on the Everyday Caring program and increasing volunteer capacity. In addition she will be working on a corporate volunteer council and nonprofit networking opportunities.

Samantha Martinez joined us in October as the Campaign and Marketing Coordinator. Her passion for United Way started when she served as a Loaned Executive her first year here in Yakima – she is originally from Oklahoma.

Yakima County Asset Building Coalition and United Way have been long time partners and especially when it comes to promoting financial stability and improving our community. March 27th was the Bank On Luncheon to re-launch its Community Asset Building Program. Dave Galbrith, a past chair for Bank On Yakima, kicked off the event by presenting the qualities and evolution of the project.
 

With about 100 people in attendance, members of both the business and the nonprofit sector, it was a packed house at JA World. It was my first time in the building and learning about Junior Achievement of Washington and I was thoroughly impressed with the quality and size of the space.
 

Several guest speakers made a powerful impact by sharing their Bank On Yakima Story. Craig Nolte from the Federal Reserve District Bank spoke about the importance and power of the program. One beneficiary of the program told her moving story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable debt, her appreciation of the services of Bank On, and how she is now teaching the importance of financial planning and education to her children.
 

A local 5th grader expounded on her experience (and benefits) in Junior Achievement: Biztown, where she was able to gain some firsthand knowledge on what it is like to be a CFO of a business and the importance of planning and organization in the workforce.  
 

The current chair, Juan Aguilar, closed out the event by thanking everyone for coming and encouraged all involved to recommend the services of Bank On Yakima to clients or employees who need a helping hand to achieve financial success and stability.  
 

For more information about Bank On Yakima and how it can help you and our community, click HERE.

Do you love where you live? Do you find it important to provide an outlet for networking among Yakima's up and coming leaders? Do you want to play a larger role in cultivating all the leadership this valley truly has to offer?

Apply today to be on the NLYC Executive Committee!
 

Download your application HERE!

Please email your application to Christopher Rankin (Current President) @ cgr@rankineqco.com by March 29th.

FamilyWize and 1,000 United Ways nationwide, including UWCW, are working on making prescription medications more affordable for people in need. To date, we have saved people over $270,000 on prescription medications in our community.

If you are not currently involved and want more information click HERE to learn more!
 

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