Newsletters

MAY NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM KAREN PROFITA

Capital Area United Way extends thanks to the Board of Directors for approval of the Star 2012 enterprise agenda. This three year plan was created under the leadership of Board Chair Van Mayhall, Jr. He brought together the senior CAUW staff with the next two chairs, Jay O’Brien and Tobie Craig, and immediate past chair Phyllis Coleman Mouton to create this tool which will help us navigate to bigger and better things. Months of work resulted in this document which sets goals for Administration/Finance, Resource & Relationship Development, and Community Investment Focus/Impact. We have begun to share this document with all of our key partners and invite you to contact us if you would like more information or to schedule a presentation.

A salute also goes out to our Community Investment team that has been hard at work implementing our new process for agency allocations. The process has been well received and allocation results will be released later this month following board approval. We are grateful for the continuing and large number of new volunteers who joined to assist in this process, their energy and perspectives truly enhanced our process. Having this opportunity to see presentations from each agency was also a reminder of how important your contributions are to improving health, education, and income while meeting basic needs in our 10 parish communities.

Thank you for your support as we continue this important work and plan for the future. Please contact us if you would like to be even more involved in helping us grow to do even more to Help People – Improve Communities.

Karen Profita, President & CEO

CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY ANNOUCES

2009 BOARD OFFICERS

Van Mayhall, Jr.

Board Chair


Jay O'Brien	Keith Short	Michelle Carriere	Tobie Craig	Diane Allen
Board Chair Elect	Secretary	Treasurer/Finance Chair	Resource Development Chair	Relationship Development Chair


Phyllis Coleman Mouton	Les Gatz	Rose Hudson	Jane Shank	Alden Andre
Governance Committee Chair/Past Board Chair	Community Investment Chair	Personnel Committee Chair	Partner Agency Representative	Parish Council Chair

UNITED WAY SEARCHING FOR AMERICORPS VISTA APPLICANTS'

Capital Area United Way is partnering with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program to build greater capacity for our partner nonprofit agencies so they are better equipped to address the needs of the impoverished.

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. Through AmeriCorps* VISTA, ordinary people provide extraordinary service in more than 1,200 projects nationwide.

United Way will serve as the coordinating body for the project and is searching for 11 VISTA members to place that have committed to the partnership. Each organization has submitted a project outline addressing a specific poverty related issue in the community.

What is AmeriCorps*VISTA? Why do people join AmeriCorps*VISTA? First, there is the incredible work experience, tremendous responsibility, and great challenges. You will develop new skills or further challenge abilities you have already developed. You will also enjoy the satisfaction of making a real difference, helping a community help itself. AmeriCorps*VISTA members leave behind lasting solutions to some of our country's toughest problems.

Eligibility for AmeriCorps*VISTA: You must be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit. Most programs seek members with college degrees or at least three years of work experience. Many AmeriCorps*VISTA members bring significant work and life experiences to their assignment. Initiative, flexibility, and organizational skills are a must. Fluency in Spanish or other languages also can be helpful in certain programs. You must be available to serve full-time for one year.

The AmeriCorps*VISTA application process requires a criminal history background check to ensure community members with whom we work are protected, particularly children, individuals with disabilities, and individuals over 60 years old.

What are the benefits?AmeriCorps*VISTA members who successfully complete a term of service are eligible to receive either an AmeriCorps Education Award or up to $4,725 or an end-of-service stipend. Additional benefits include training, a living allowance, limited health care benefits, relocation expenses, and student-loan forbearance or deferment. You may also be eligible for childcare assistance should you need it.

In addition to these benefits, AmeriCorps*VISTA members learn new skills and acquire qualities of leadership that help prepare them for jobs, and gain a sense of satisfaction from making a significant contribution to their community.

For more information about the VISTA opportunities available and how to apply on-line please contact Marlene Christophe at marlenec@cauw.org.

UNITED WAY 2-1-1 INFORMATION LINE ACTIVATED FOR H1N1

(SWINE FLU) INFORMATION

The state has activated the United Way 2-1-1 statewide information and referral phone network to help people throughout the state get information on the H1N1 virus, how it is affecting their area, and how they can take measures to prevent the spread of illness. Operators are being updated as the state reports additional information on the virus.

HELP STAMP OUT HUNGER ON MAY 9TH

On Saturday, May 9, letter carriers in our community will again help Stamp Out Hunger! ™ across America with your help in order to provide assistance to the one in eight Americans who struggle with hunger.

The Stamp Out Hunger! effort is the nation's largest single-day food drive, having collected more than 909 million pounds of food since its inception in 1993. Last year, letter carriers across the country collected a record total of more than 73.1 million pounds of food, but with hunger impacting many Americans– including working families, children, and the elderly – help is needed now more than ever before.

Supporting the drive again this year are Campbell Soup Company, the U.S. Postal Service, Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network), Valpak, the AFL-CIO, and United Way of America. “

We support Stamp Out Hunger! as this special initiative parallels with one of our four focuses, basic needs,” said Karen Profita, President and CEO of Capital Area United Way. “Having the daily resources, such as food, is needed in order to live and have a quality life. Food collected from this event will help feed the hungry across our community, which is greatly needed, especially in these difficult economic times.”

To help Stamp Out Hunger! in your community this year, simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, like canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, or cereal, next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on May 9. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans. Local letter carriers will be collecting donations from homes across the ten
parishes and delivering them to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, one of Capital Area United Way’s Member Agencies.

For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger! effort in your community ask your letter carrier, contact the post office or visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.

CALL TO ACTION:

1. Spread the word – tell your friends
2. Join the Facebook group Stamp Out Hunger!
3. Place non-perishable food items next to your mailbox on May 9
4. Volunteer to sort and weigh food at the Bluebonnet Post Office – please contact Marlene Christophe at marlenec@cauw.org for more information.

2009 JAMBALAYA COOKOFF DATE IS SET....

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH

MORE INFORMATION TO COME

2008 Jambalaya Cookoff Champions - Motiva Enterprises

HOPPIN AT THE ROWE RAISES OVER $3,500

On Saturday, April 11, Perkins Rowe hosted Hoppin’ at the Rowe, a family Easter event with fun and activities for all ages! Children enjoyed face painting, balloon art, crafts, carnival games, live music from Solar Heat, and a special visit from the Easter Bunny! Raffle tickets were sold for prizes such as $1,000 cash and other items donated by the merchants at Perkins Rowe. In addition, eight teams participated in the egg relay race. The event raised over $3,500 with all proceeds benefiting Capital Area United Way.


Members from the Runny Yolks team: Anita Heikkila, Bill Heikkila, David Teter, and Nicole Heikkila receive the award for the most dropped eggs.	Members from United we Hop took the egg relay crown: Robin Keller, Demi LeJeune, Laura Daigle, and Chrissy Dupuy.

Members from the Sneaky Peeps team: Todd Mann, Grant Conway, Jennifer Spiers, and Burnell Jackson receive the award for best dressed.

Upcoming Agency Events

Mcmains Childrens's Developmental Center

Red Nose Day

May 8, 2009

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge

50th Fete

May 14, 2009

YWCA Greater Baton Rouge

You Win! Community Affair

May 29, 2009

American Diabetes Association

Tour de Cure

May 30, 2009

The Arc Baton Rouge

Plane Pull Competition and Festival

October, 17 2009