Second Quarter 2015 Newsletter

LIVE UNITED TODAY Fairy Tale Endings…

LET’S CONTINUE TO FUND THIS VALUABLE PROGRAM!

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nited Way’s ReadingPals Literacy Initiative is a key education program that is in jeopardy of closing its doors. ReadingPals aims to prepare children to be on grade level by the end of third grade and begin to enjoy reading for fun.

Since it’s inception in 2012, this program has been generously funded by the Barnett Early Literacy Grant. In July, the funds provided by this grant will be cut in half in order to build ReadingPals programs at other United Way agencies in the Southeastern United States. Funds, after July, will be required to provide two-hundred students with the resources necessary to continue the program successfully. (cont.)

Children unable to read at grade level by the time they reach the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

ReadingPals student, Dennis loves the Captain Underpants series

SECOND QUARTER 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: VITA RECAP, CHANGE LIVES HERE, A NIGHT OF THANKS, GRATITUDE

READINGPALS CONT’D Where do donation dollars go?

Students and volunteers are provided with a customized curriculum including a small library of high-interest, highquality books, and support materials to enhance the mentor relationship between the child and volunteer.

Children take home books to start home libraries. Family literacy events are hosted to support and encourage parent engagement. Volunteer events provide resources, support, and guidance in order for student and mentor success.

VITA RECAP

TAX DAY SAVINGS ADD UP TO A BIG COMMUNITY IMPACT

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pril 15 saw the close of yet another tax day for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at United Way of North Central Florida. Once the dust settled and all of the numbers were recorded, we found that with 2,364 tax payers assisted, this was our best year yet!

This number includes basic, advanced and international returns.

To learn more about ReadingPals, donate or become a volunteer, please visit www.readingpalsgnv.org or contact Angela Hutchings at ahutchings@unitedwayncfl.org. 

“ If we want to ensure that our next generation of learners doesn’t have to face a dropout crisis, we must begin to invest in their early literacy today,”

VITA volunteer helping local community members

– Carol Barnett, President of Publix Supermarkets Charities

VITA 2015 BY THE NUMBERS

Overall, the average refund was $1,719 with an average tax fee saved of $260.

Additionally, the average Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) received by low income families was $1,507. EITCs can be incredibly beneficial to families because the receipt of larger EITCs is linked to higher test scores, higher graduation rates and higher college attendance rates.

The total number of refunds completed returned $2,574,869 and saved individuals and families an estimated total of $565,735 in tax preparer fees.

All of those numbers come together to create a total estimated community impact of $3,140,604! 

$1,719 $1,507 $260 AVERAGE REFUND

AVERAGE EITC

AVERAGE TAX FEE SAVED

2 / LIVE UNITED

UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 19, 2015 | 7:30 –9:00 a.m.

CEO/COMMUNITY LEADER BREAKFAST 6/19

Join fellow CEOs and community leaders at the 2015 CEO/Community leader Breakfast hosted by United Way of North Central Florida.

Thank you to our sponsors: BBI Construction, Florida Food Service, and Gateway Bank Location: Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606 RSVP at: uwcommunityleaderbreakfast.eventbrite.com

JULY 10, 2015 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL LUNCH & LEARN 7/10

Female Leadership Donors, donating more than $750 annually, are invited to have lunch on us and learn more about United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council.

Location: Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606 RSVP: Please RSVP by July 6th to Dana Clayton at dclayton@unitedwayncfl.org

JULY 23, 2015 | 8:30 –11:00 a.m.

EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST 7/23

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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s a new way to highlight and show our appreciation for our donors, we have created the Small Business Spotlight! Twice a month, a new Small Business Partner will be featured in our e-newsletter.

Small businesses play a critical role in maintaining a thriving local economy. They are no less important to the success of United Way, as we endeavor to improve lives through our work in education, income and health. Our Small Business Partners are an important, growing family of donors who are vital to helping us meet the needs of our community.

To read the full interviews with Coleen, Becky and Doug, please visit www.unitedwayncfl.org/smallbusinessspotlight.

To sign up for our e-newsletter, please visit www.unitedwayncfl.org. To become a Small Business Partner, please contact Chris Wells at cwells@unitedwayncfl.org. 

“ I like to say that I offer drama-free realty for the hassle-averse.”

Small Business Partner, Coleen DeGroff, Re/Max Professionals

United Way and Nationwide invite you to learn how you can “Change Lives Here” and make your community a better place.

“ Learn something new, try something different and convince yourself that you have no limits”

Thank you to our sponsors: BBI Construction, Florida Food Service, Nationwide and North Florida Regional Healthcare Location: Nationwide Café Conference Room, 3300 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32608

Small Business Partner, Becky Raymond, SERVPRO of Alachua County West

RSVP at: 2015eccbreakfast.eventbrite.com

“ Always continue to help people and you will be rewarded with something much greater than money: gratitude”

Small Business Partner, Doug Pratt, Modern Capital Solutions, Inc.

TO READ FULL INTERVIEWS VISIT: www.unitedwayncfl.org/smallbusinessspotlight LIVE UNITED / 3

CHECK AND CONNECT

A RECIPE FOR

Success Check & Connect student from Eastside High School, Diamond showing off one of the creations that she whipped up in the kitchen.

her culinary experience and [is] willing to try new things.

This is true in her cooking and in trying new foods.”

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iamond’s family moved to Gainesville from Georgia while she was in middle school because her mom was ready for a change. Upon arriving at Eastside High School, Diamond immediately qualified for the Check & Connect program because she had been struggling to pass the reading portion of the FCAT. Diamond has participated in Check & Connect since her freshman year at Eastside High. After her first year in the program, Check & Connect Specialist, Annetta McCloud helped Diamond apply for the FloridaWorks Summer Youth Work Experience program. Diamond’s first work site was the Gainesville Housing Authority where she provided clerical support. It was a good start, but Diamond wanted more. So, as a sophomore, she began participating in Eastside High School’s Culinary Arts program.

“ Diamond has grown in her culinary experience and is willing to try new things.”

Additionally, she was a member of the team that took the first place award at the recent statewide ProStart Culinary Team Competition. For the past three years in a row, Eastside High School’s Culinary Arts program has been named one of the top 50 culinary programs in the United States.

When asked about her future beyond high school, Diamond says she wants to go to college and but knows of only one Florida state school that provides culinary arts education, although she is uncertain about that path saying, “I love cooking. I love being in the kitchen, but it’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

–Chef Billie DeNunzio

The first two days of class, the teacher provided a basic orientation and introduction to food service, followed by hands-on practice in the kitchen. Students are told to watch the teacher’s demonstration, follow a recipe and do their best to produce the dish on their own. Since Diamond is a quick learner, she began to excel immediately. According to her teacher, Chef Billie DeNunzio, “Diamond has grown in 4 / LIVE UNITED

She has really enjoyed being a part of the Culinary Arts program because of the real life work experience she is gaining and because of the opportunity to participate in fun catering events and competitions. One of her favorite events was a chance to reinvent a McDonald’s item for a new store’s grand opening. Her team produced an elaborate Southwestern Bacon Wrap with double egg and cheese and “secret sauce.”

Participating in the Check & Connect program has helped Diamond, and she is on track to graduate on time. Her goal, she says, is to have at least two successful businesses operating at the same time. To learn more about United Way’s drop out prevention program, Check & Connect, please contact Norinda Yancey at nyancey@unitedwayncfl.org. 

JUMP, CLIMB, CRAWL… LEAD!

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t the Campaign Finale, we showed a preview of this year’s video and unveiled the theme of Change Lives Here. The video highlighted three different families positively affected by United Way and the programs we fund.

Although Jose, Mary and Kizzie all experienced some tough times in their lives, they had the courage to reach out and ask for help. With assistance from organizations such as Peaceful Paths, Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County and the Early Learning Coalition, Jose, Mary and Kizzie were all able to get back on their feet and turn their lives around.

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n April 9, the United Way of North Central Florida’s Young Leaders Society (YLS) held an outdoor professional development workshop at Gainesville Health & Fitness’ EDGE Obstacle & Tactical Pit. Young professionals from Doctors Imaging Group, Enterprise Holdings, Infinite Energy and RTI Surgical, Inc. came out to “flex” their professional development muscles outside the office—building teamwork and leadership skills with personal trainer & group fitness instructor, Andy Farina.

The workshop was both hosted by and sponsored by Gainesville Health & Fitness. To learn more about the Young Leaders Society, please contact Britt Pearson at bpearson@unitedwayncfl.org. 

Those are just three stories of people whose lives have been changed for the better because of United Way and the programs we fund. This year, we ask you to live here, give here and Change Lives Here. Live United.

To see the Change Lives Here video and to learn more, please visit www.unitedwayncfl.org.

Find out how Kizzie Johnson got the help she needed to find quality childcare that she could afford, get a new job and turn her life around.

Top Left: YLS members climbing the wall at the EDGE Obstacle Course; Top Right: Infinite Energy employees running through the tires; Bottom: The group from Doctors Imaging Group with trainer, Andy Farina LIVE UNITED / 5

A NIGHT OF THANKS

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n Thursday, May 14, we hosted A Night of Thanks, our annual recognition and appreciation reception for United Way Leadership and Tocqueville Donors at the Florida Museum of Natural History. A Leadership Donor is anyone donating $750 or more annually and a Tocqueville Donor is anyone donating $10,000 or more annually. We are incredibly appreciative for the support that we receive from these donors and are pleased to have one night to show our thanks. Attendees ate delicious food provided by Small Business Partner, Sweetwater Branch Inn, experienced A T. Rex Named Sue and enjoyed the company of fellow Leadership Donors. 

Castano and Partners Erica Small Business pson om with Kelly Th April Shroeder

Dr. Richard Parent and

Clerk of Court,

y, with his wife J.K. “Buddy” Irb

Stephanie Freas

Linda

ps, Sr. Trey Ford and Steven Cam

Jared Beasley and Ca

rla Vidal

Students working together on the craft activity

p Reception

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The United Way staff me

6 / LIVE UNITED

Deborah Bowie addressing the atten dees at the Leadership Reception

With Gratitude THANK YOU JOHN SPENCE

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n Friday, April 24, we held the Third Annual Spend the Day with John Spence. In the morning, John led a special session for VIPs and sponsors entitled The Future of Business: The Eight Major Trends in the Next Decade. In the afternoon, John spoke about how to create a strategic plan for your life. Attendees gained practical skills which helped them identify where they would like to be and how to formulate a plan to get there.

Between the two sessions, there were more than 300 people impacted by John’s expertise. More than $10,000 was raised at the event, and that does not include the time donated by John Spence, himself. Thank you, John Spence! 

Attendees enjoying John Spence’s leadership workshop

THANK YOU PUBLIX!

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uring the last campaign season, Publix was our number one campaign, donating more than $618,000. Included in that total was a corporate match of $265,000. Earlier this month, District Managers, Lisa Patton and Charles Gainer along with Regional Director, David Currey stopped by the United Way office to present the check. We are so thankful for all that Publix does for the North Central Florida Community! Publix is an excellent example of a group of people truly “living united.” 

LIVE UNITED / 7

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 375 GAINESVILLE, FL 6031 NW 1st Place Gainesville, FL 32607-2025 (352) 331-2800 www.unitedwayncfl.org www.facebook.com/unitedwayncfl www.twitter.com/UnitedWayncfl www.instagram.com/unitedwayofncfl

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

YOUR UNITED WAY TEAM Staff/Leadership Deborah V. Bowie, President & CEO Rhonda Johnson, Director of Operations Mary Broadfoot, Executive Assistant

Community Impact Team Jennifer Stojkovic, Director of Community Impact Norinda Rosario Yancey, Education and School-Based Initiatives Manager Angela Hutchings, ReadingPals Coordinator Barbara Brady, Check & Connect Specialist Annetta McCloud, Check & Connect Specialist Stephanie Burke, Check & Connect Specialist

Development Team Dana Clayton, VP Resource Development Chris Wells, Development Director of Residential & Individual Giving Britt Pearson, Development Associate, Affinity Groups Sylvia Waldman, Director of Database Systems Lauren Martin, Database Associate

Communications & Marketing Amy Azoulay, Communications Manager

Board of Directors Executive Committee Kay Ayers, AvMed, Chair Nick Banks, Front Street, Vice Chair Carolyn Lukert, Dementia Education, Inc., Past Board Chair

Ed Bonahue, Santa Fe College, Member-At-Large Dennis Gies, Community Volunteer, Member-At-Large Kenneth Kurdziel, James Moore & Company, Finance Chair Melanie Ross, UF Health, Communications Chair Board Members Bill Gair, University of Florida Sam Goforth, Community Volunteer Jennifer Hunt, CAMPUS USA Credit Union Shaney Livingston, Alachua County Library District Brad Pollitt, UF Health & Shands, Campaign Chair Doug Ray, Gainesville Sun/Ocala Star Banner Dr. Jen Day Shaw, University of Florida Andy Sherrard, O2BKids!

Dr. Patricia Snyder, University of Florida Adrian Taylor, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy Chair Scott Thomas, Infinite Energy Jenna White, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., CIT Chair

Special thanks to our Academy Sponsors

2014–2015 Campaign Cabinet Brad Pollitt, Chair, UF Health & Shands Rory Causseaux, Causseaux, Hewett and Walpole, Inc. Robert Deese, Suntrust Bill Gair, University of Florida Monica McMillen, Law Offices of Steven Miller John Power, Alachua County Tax Collector Jason Shank, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Jay St. Pierre, North Florida Regional Medical Center FONT FRONT STREEET - GeoSans COMMERICAL REAL ESTATE GROUP - Gill Sans “F” - Mongolian Baiti PMS Color: 384 Lime Green