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| Ordinary moments will provide extraordinary results.
Remember to:
Limit screen time for children 2 and over
to 2 hours or less a day.
Read to your children 30 minutes every day.
Talk to your children because learning
starts long before school does,
ask your children questions and
encourage their answers.
All children are
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United Way of Treasure Valley Welcomes New CEO
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Community leader, Derick O'Neill became President and CEO of United Way of Treasure Valley on February 1. He replaced Sally Zive, who announced in December that she would be stepping down after 11 years at the helm to focus on health issues after a recurrence of ovarian cancer.
O'Neill was hired following a Valley-wide search by a panel comprised of the United Way Board's Executive Committee and Zive. "We were particularly impressed with Derick's unique business and community-inspired background," said Board Chair Wayne Rancourt. "It was the perfect combination of what United Way needs now to meet our Valley's current challenges and opportunities." O'Neill left O'Neill Enterprises LLC, a leading developer of residential and mixed use communities in the Treasure Valley, where he was president and managing member to accept the position with United Way. O'Neill serves as a Trustee on the Boise Independent School Board and is Past President of the Boise School District Education Foundation. He has been a active member of the Treasure Valley YMCA Board of Directors and has served with the Urban Land Institute, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Boise Parks & Recreation where he had also served as a youth football coach.
"This is the perfect opportunity for me at this point in my life, and while I did not go looking for it, it found me, and I am very grateful" said O'Neill. "I look forward to using my professional background and personal passion for this Valley to work with the Board, our many partners, contributors, and members of the communities we serve to develop lasting, efficient and systematic solutions in the areas of education, income, and health.
O'Neill was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Santa Clara University in 1989. He has spent the majority of his career in real estate. Derick joined O'Neill Enterprises in 1992, which was founded in 1979 by his father, Pete O'Neill. Together, they have created some of Idaho's most recognized communities. O'Neill and his wife Kathy have three young children, Maison, Drake, and Paul.
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| 2009's Born Learning Targeted Outreach Program Results Are In |
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This year 76% of children participating in 2009's Born Learning program scored at or near grade level on the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) - the State's standardized test used to determine literacy levels. This compares to 72% of those kindergarten children who did not participate but attended these same schools.
Caldwell School District had 60 pre-kindergarten students that participate in Born Learning. At a recent National Title I Conference, Roger Quarles, Caldwell School District Superintendent, was asked to discuss why there are so many positive changes in student outcomes in his school district. His presentation, From Sanctions to Success, made the point that one of the key factors was from implementing the Born Learning program and the school district's partnership with United Way of Treasure Valley. Roger told the conference, attendees: "We are convinced in the Caldwell School District that early childhood literacy and kindergarten preparedness are critical to the success of our students and United Way is helping us make this possible."
United Way's Born Learning project began in 2007 as a pilot program. The initiative's goal is to encourage Treasure Valley parents to prepare their children for success in school, work and life through active involvement in their child's earliest learning experiences. The Targeted Outreach program includes Kindergarten Readiness Camps that took place last summer in the Boise, Nampa, and Caldwell school districts. Additionally United Way helped to fund a Kindergarten readiness program in the Kuna School District.
We know that nearly 1 in 3 Treasure Valley children attending Title I schools (32%) are entering Kindergarten today at risk for failure in their school career due to low pre-literacy rates. 120 Treasure Valley preschool children attended the camps planned and staffed by the Treasure Valley YMCA Child Development Department and school district personnel. Along with the Kindergarten Readiness Camps, the children and their families also participated in five Family Activity Nights, a series of parenting and 'Parent and Child Together Time' classes to help families prepare children for school. The sessions were taught by Learning Lab educators and one session was taught by Humphrey's Diabetes Center on the importance of nutrition.
The 2009 program was funded by grants from the Jeker Foundation, the Whittenberger Foundation, Albertson/Supervalu, the United Way of Treasure Valley Community Fund, and private donors.
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Free Tax Program Kicks Off It's Third Year
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February 1st marked the kickoff of the Free Tax Help Program and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) awareness efforts in the Treasure Valley. United Way of Treasure Valley is one of 16 United Way's throughout the country that received the highest grant level of $10,000 from Bank of America's Charitable Foundation project to assure access for more people who qualify. Idaho State Treasurer Ron Crane is serving as program spokesman. Radio commercials featuring Crane, can be heard on Treasure Valley radio stations promoting the free tax help sites. Along with the radio announcements, the campaign includes posters and advertising.
EITC lifts more children out of poverty than any single program or group of programs - according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Free Tax Help Program offers free tax assistance to qualified families and individuals, and provides important resources and information to help the elderly, low-income, non-English speaking, and disabled taxpayers with the preparation of their tax returns by trained volunteers at no cost to them.
United Way of Treasure Valley is helping promote the program again this year through an awareness campaign focused on the fact that more than $11 million a year in EITC goes unclaimed in the Treasure Valley. Last year, the program helped over 7,000 people file their taxes that returned nearly $7 million in federal tax refunds into Treasure Valley communities. Still, the IRS estimates that 20 to 25 percent of eligible taxpayers fail to claim the credit which could put as much as $5,657 into the pockets of a family with three children.
For those individuals and families needing this service, all they have to do is call 2-1-1, Idaho CareLine, to get information about qualifications and which of the 20 sites is nearest them. Besides calling 2-1-1, you can also visit United Way's website for a full list of free tax site locations and hours.
In addition to Bank of America and State Treasurer Crane, the Free Tax Help Program partners with 211 - Idaho CareLine, AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS, and the Coalition for Economic Improvement.
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Home Ownership Made Possible For Refugee Family Through The Idaho IDA Program
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Paul Okeny (pictured at right) and his family has found financial stability, opportunity and home-ownership through their participation in the Idaho Individual Development Account (IDA) Program administered by United Way of Treasure Valley. Paul, his wife and five children are refugees from Sudan. "Coming to America as a refugee often means beginning life from scratch. The IDA program was perfect for Paul and his family", says Marcia Munden, Family Strengthening Worker at Catholic Charities of Idaho, an IDA partner agency. "Paul was able to save his earned income to increase the down payment on a new home he helped build through Habitat for Humanity, which made it more affordable for his family."
The IDA program is a matched savings account for qualified individuals that can be used to purchase a first home, attend post-secondary education, or start or expand a small business. Every dollar saved, up to a maximum of $2,000, is matched with $2. Up to $1,500 in EITC dollars can be used as a one-time deposit into a participant's IDA savings account allowing them to meet their goal in a shorter period of time. The Idaho IDA Program is made possible through a federal grant and the non-federal funding and program support of many community partners.
Paul is one example of the 42 successful IDA participants United Way of Treasure Valley has helped achieve financial stability. For more information about the IDA program, contact Joyce Bailey. |
Alternative Spring Break Set For March In Wilder
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On March 29th and 30th, 100 high school students from around the Valley will celebrate service for this year's alternative spring break, Break Through 2010. Now in its third year, this year's project will be staged in the City of Wilder. Students will be creating two small community parks, a soccer field at a low-income housing community for families, and will refurbish and stock the community's food bank. The students will overnight onsite at Wilder where they'll be hosted by the community with a potluck dinner, speakers from the area, and farm tours.
If you are interested in learning more about how to attend, sponsor or volunteer for Break Through 2010, please contact Neva Geisler. |
2009-10 Caring Club Cards Are On Their Way
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Good News! United Way of Treasure Valley Caring Cards are being mailed to nearly 4,000 qualified donors to last year's campaign. How can you get one? It's simple. Donate $120 or more to the United Way Community Fund and you automatically qualify for the Caring Card that provides a discount at several Treasure Valley merchants - a current list of merchants and discounts can be found on our website. New merchants are added throughout the year. It's our way of saying, "Thank you for caring about your community!"
The Community Fund is made up of programs working together to address the needs of low-income individuals and families throughout the Treasure Valley. One agency cannot do it alone. By working together, we can achieve maximum impact. You can donate on-line.
If you would like to be a merchant on the Caring Card or have questions about the program, please contact Connie Hinderliter. |
| Sally Zive Receives Key To The City
From Mayor Bieter
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On January 26 Mayor Dave Bieter bestowed the City's highest honor on United Way of Treasure Valley retiring CEO Sally Zive for her years of service to the Boise community. The key was presented by the Mayor at a ceremony held during the City's regular City Council meeting. Zive announced in December she would be retiring from her position after 11 years as CEO.
"At almost any point when the City was most in need of guidance and community support, Sally Zive came to our aid," Mayor Bieter said. "Through her creativity, her commitment and her resilience, Sally has made a profound difference in improving the lives of Boiseans and the livability of our city."
The Key to the City plaque presented to Zive featured the following inscription: "With heartfelt appreciation for her leadership and commitment to our community's health and well-being and the countless ways she has improved our lives and enriched our spirits."
Sally was replaced by Derick O'Neill on February 1st and offered the following statement on his appointment to succeed her after serving more than a decade at the helm:
"It has been a privilege to work with so many terrific people and organizations over the last ten years. To see the concerted effort of so many in the Valley work toward making poverty in our community a thing of the past is indeed exciting and rewarding. Our focused work and partnerships in the areas of education, health and income is making a difference. I feel honored to have worked with so many wonderful people along the way and to know that through the generous contributions of time, talent and treasure from so many throughout the Valley, lives today are better as a result.
"As I begin focusing on my health and family, I am thrilled to be handing the reigns to a person of Derick's caliber and community commitment; and I look forward to returning to United Way in a supporting role as my health allows. Derick's experience, personal and professional relationships, and character are tremendous assets to our community, and exactly what United Way needs at this important moment. I invite the community to join me in welcoming Derick to the United Way family and pledge to help him succeed for the betterment of our community."
We will miss her!
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Give.
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Giving now is the easiest and most powerful way to invest in your community. Regardless of what you're able to give, your investment is making powerful, long-lasting changes throughout the community. Remember, by working together we can accomplish more than anyone can on their own. Click here...
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Advocate.
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You can be an advocate by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people.
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Volunteer.
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United Way Volunteer Center works with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors.
Read more
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Upcoming Events
Census National Road Tour: Capitol Event
Idaho State Capitol Staircase
Wednesday, February 24, 12:00pm
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