Building Good Karma

by Lindsey Burks, Marketing Intern

I sat in the Tacoma Public Utilities cafeteria chest-deep in daydreams when a bubbly woman with wild hair flagged me down. I was there to meet Theresa Niemi and get her thoughts on volunteering but what I took away was a greater appreciation for one of Tacoma’s largest companies- Tacoma Public Utilities.

Theresa is an Oregon native with a charitable heart. She focuses on helping senior citizens, children, animals and the hungry. Most would consider helping one of those groups to be enough but Theresa is quick to refer to herself as “a speck” in terms of how impactful her volunteering is.  She notes that there are other people whose pockets run much deeper than hers so she gives her time. When asked what inspires her to keep volunteering, Theresa credits it all to karma.

“I believe in karma and that saying; do unto others as you wish others would do unto you… You’re doing something good and there’s no monetary compensation, so I know that I’m devoting my whole day’s pay to help those in need. It’s just a rewarding thing, and you hope that you’re helping one person at least. That’s all that I ask- that my volunteer hours helps one person. If I help more than that, that’s just a bonus.”

With significant volunteer experience under her belt and a philanthropic spirit, Theresa found her place at Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). For nearly 20 years, TPU has been involved with United Way of Pierce County’s annual Day of Caring event and Theresa will take the lead as the coordinator for the fourth time this September. The TPU team is a group of generous, civic-minded people and committed friends of United Way of Pierce County.

The volunteers from TPU use vacation days to participate in United Way of Pierce County’s Day of Caring. This fact stunned me because it really demonstrates the team’s commitment to give back to their community. Theresa explained that the employees use their own vacation time because it wouldn’t be fair to the rate payers if the company gave them the day off because that is money out of their pockets. For a third year in a row, Theresa and her team will head out to Mother Earth Farm in the Puyallup Valley this coming September 20th. They all look forward to helping harvest fresh, organic fruits and vegetables for local food banks, get a couple nibbles in and say hello to their favorite farm cat.

Beaming with pride, Theresa spoke to me about her coworkers who are always giving back. She said that the consensus at TPU is “….to donate… even though the economy impacts some of the pockets here.” This collective generosity among the employees at TPU makes it easy to understand why the company has won numerous awards from United Way of Pierce County, most recently the 2012 Community Partner of the Year award.

Do you want to be a part of Day of Caring 2013 and build some good karma? Check out the available projects and submit an application at http://www.uwpc.org/DaysOfCaring.htm.  Send your questions or concerns to lindseyb@uwpc.org.

 

What I've learned from "my kids"

by Bethany Opstedal, Sr. Youth United Associate

What is it that creates a volunteer spirit? Why do teens care so much? I think many outsiders have a perception that students are “voluntold” and so they find an organization to volunteer at. With increasing competition for scholarships and college entrance it’s a resume booster for sure - but that is not why teens volunteer.  The students I work with through Youth United continue to amaze me year, after year, after year.  These students have a giving natures, caring attitudes and willingness to do whatever is needed for the greater good.  Seeing how involved many of these young adults are sort of puts the rest of us to shame.

“My kids”, as I affectionately refer to them, come out of the woodwork from all over Pierce County asking for service projects.  Some are interested in early childhood development; some are interested in health care…for others it is animals or the environment or assisting seniors.  I cannot even begin to name all the areas of focus and passion these remarkable teens have.  I don’t always have enough volunteer work for the number of request I receive.  I am lucky enough to join them at various volunteer projects and witness first hand their smiles and delight as they give back.  It is truly
heartwarming and inspiring.

I strive to be a better person for these kids - “my kids”. We should all strive to be better for them, to support them and to learn from them. They are not the leaders of tomorrow- they are the leaders of today.

I challenge you- what can you do to support a teen volunteer? What can you do to give back yourself? How can you make a difference in this community?

www.volunteerpiercecounty.org

 

 

Homeless but not hopeless

by Tammy Brown, Community Impact Manager - Strengthening Families

When people hear the word “homeless”, images of dirty beggars and sickly addicts flash across the widescreen of their mind in bold high definition color. Embedded deep within the circuits of their brain are thoughts of criminals, prostitutes, liars, drug dealers and thieves. To those who know no better, homeless individuals are likened to an incurable, contagious disease that is to be avoided at all cost.  However, the reality of the image and issue of homelessness, for those who have not bought into the media hype or stereotype, is much different.

The real image of homelessness belongs to people just like you and me. It could be our neighbor, our co-worker or friend. Each one of us may be only one paycheck, one major illness or one life-changing event away from losing everything. And then, there are the children; the innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control.

According to Washington OSPI data, there were 2,835 students identified and served under the McKinney-Vento Act in Pierce County during 2011-2012, which is only a portion of the real number of students who are homeless. The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence”. The Act goes on to give examples of children who would fall under this definition as:

• Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations 
• Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
• Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
• Children and youth awaiting foster care placement
• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.)
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations

Of the 2,835 identified homeless students, 288 of those were seniors in high school, with kindergartners coming in a close second at 269. Now stop for just a moment think about the short- and long-term effects on a child who does not have a consistent or stable place to sleep at night and think about the effects being homeless has on that child’s social, emotional and cognitive progression.  Now add in other potential factors such as hunger, neglect or abuse. When you add it all up, these children have major obstacles to overcome to achieve success academically and in life.  The good news is many of these children do just that; they overcome and succeed. At a time when 30% of students do not graduate from high school, the fact that these homeless youth graduate and go on to higher post-secondary education is something to be celebrated.

For the past two years United Way of Pierce County has recognized this major achievement by providing laptops, backpacks and basic college necessities to homeless students through the Off-to-College Campaign. These students were identified by the McKinney-Vento Liaison in their school district. They confirmed the student was graduating and had firm plans to attend some type of higher post-secondary education (technical college, community college, university). A total of 31 homeless students from five school districts (Bethel, Clover Park, Puyallup, Sumner, and Tacoma) have now been recipients of this program due to the generous donations and support from the community. This is a small, but significant way our community has come together to help homeless youth and propel them into a better and brighter future.

As you lay your head on your pillow tonight, take a moment to count your blessings and remember those who may not have a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Remember the children. They may be homeless, but they are not hopeless. 

Together, we can provide hope and make a difference in the lives of homeless youth. Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

Tough Decisions Lie Ahead During This Legislative Session

by Nicole Milbradt, Sr. Marketing Associate & Events Manager

As the state legislative session opens, Washington State has some tough decisions to make. First on the list are the recommendations of the McCleary decision.

 

In January of 2012, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the King County Superior Court decision in the caseMcCleary, Venema, and NEWS v. Washington State, concluding the state was failing to meet its constitutional obligation to adequately fund basic education for Washington’s students. In 2009 and 2010, the state legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2261 (ESHB 2261) and Substitute House Bill 2776 (SHB 2776), which include plans to provide all-day Kindergarten classes in public schools and reducing class size for Kindergarten through third grade classes to 17 students per classroom (from an existing average of 25). Additionally, the bill would increase funds for maintenance, supplies and operating costs as well as fully funding transportation for students to and from school.

 

However, because of budget cuts in the 2011-2013 biennium, the court found the state has yet to make measurable progress toward fully funding basic education. The court ruling in the McCleary case requires the Legislature to make the implementation and funding for the reforms laid out in ESHB 2261 their top priority. The anticipated cost of the implementation is more than a billion dollars during the approaching biennium, with additional costs being covered in future years

 

No one would argue that making education a priority is a bad thing. However, if more of the limited budget dollars available are earmarked for education, another area will have less to work with. Many are concerned that the decreased funds will hit human services the hardest.

 

The number of people seeking human services spiked during the recession and is slowly receding. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Basic Food program saw a 60 percent jump in 2010 to nearly 158,000 people served in Pierce County alone. Without vital funding from the state, many of these services would not be available.

 

United Way of Pierce County includes advocacy in its work to help sustain Pierce County services. United Way’s community champions have identified key human service issues and will work to educate and inform legislative leaders of the impact cuts to services could have.

 

With so many deserving causes, one thing is certain. The legislature will have several tough decisions to make during this 105-day session.

United Way's Younger Focus

by Timm Dowling, Loaned Executive

At United Way, we understand that investing in our youth is investing in our future. Introducing a culture of service to younger generations facilitates the growth of community fellowship.

United Way administers two programs that are specifically focused on younger community members.

Youth United offers high school students a chance to build valuable experience working with the community through leadership and volunteer hours. One of the most popular programs offered by Youth United is the Varsity Letter in Community Service. Students who complete 145 hours of community service during the year earn a varsity letter for their high school just like those given to athletes. This program has seen tremendous success as more and more colleges require some volunteerism in their applicants. Even if kids are volunteering because they are told to, they receive a rewarding experience, which can translate into life habits and passions. 

Erica McDaniel, a 2012 loaned executive, is an excellent example of Youth United’s Varsity Letter in Community Service program. Fresh off high school graduation last June, Erica has community service experience which not only helps the public but also gives her valuable experience to attract colleges and employers.

Project: U is another United Way program that focuses on young professionals in their 20s and 30s.  The annual Get Involved Gala event raises money for the Community Solutions Fund and is an example of the social events put on by the Project: U team. This year’s event is being held at the Tacoma Art Museum, Saturday, November 10^th from 8 pm to 11 pm. It’s all about breeding community and creating opportunity for the sharing of ideas and networking of motivated individuals.

Involving the youth is an important emphasis in creating an upward trend in community involvement. United Way’s focus on young people is really a reflection of the dedication to long-term, sustainable changes for the future. United Way doesn’t just put band aids on problems, we find the source of issues and create solutions that fundamentally alter systems for the better.

TACID

by Timm Dowling, Loaned Executive

United Way of Pierce County was kind of an abstraction to me when I first heard of it. I knew it was a nonprofit that served the community. That is a simple definition for an organization that is better described like a spider web network for nonprofit agencies in the county. About 808,000 people live in Pierce County. Not all of these people have access to the resources needed for a happy, healthy life. There are hundreds of nonprofits in Pierce County. Not all of these agencies have the means to reach those in need, nor the donors who want to give. United Way is the great connector. Of the 117 programs we currently fund, I’d like to highlight one of my accounts, TACID; the Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities.

TACID’s mission is “promoting the independence of individuals with disabilities”. “Disability” can refer to physical, cognitive, mental or emotional disadvantages. Their loose definition of disability ensures and promotes the open, friendly atmosphere necessary on the road to happiness and independence.

TACID plays a unique role in the community as a consumer-driven organization.  As an organization formed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, their model of peer support is unmatched in the community. Peer support is an opportunity for people living with disabilities to help each other - sometimes it can be more effective to solve problems when you can talk with someone who can relate to specific experiences.

TACID's Work and Education Center opened in June of 2011.  The Work and Education Center assists people with disabilities in setting and achieving their goals for employment, volunteerism and education. The building is conveniently located at 6315 South 19^th Street, neighboring Tacoma Community College. Anyone can register for TACID programs and classes. You can find everything from a Brain Injury Support Group to the Acupuncture Therapy program.

Not only does TACID provide direct support in the form of classes, but the caring, accepting culture within the building is what really contributes to the healing and creation of happy, independent community members.