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United Way of Treasure Valley

United Way @ Work

June 2011

The P16 education project launched; college going rates to double for Caldwell students through collaborative program

UWTV Welcomes Summer Interns

 Please welcome Tamara Snow and Ayesha Lissanevitch who are joining the United Way team as summer interns. Ayesha recently graduated from The College of Idaho with an International Political Economics degree. Tamara will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall and hopes to pursue a Biology degree.

 As summer interns they will be working with various departments to gain a more thorough understanding of the workings of UWTV. While some projects will be more administrative, they will also be participating in an array of offsite projects, including monthly DIRT projects and poverty simulations. 

 Prior to this internship, both have been extensively involved with the non-profit sector. They are excited to use this opportunity to add to their experiences.

 Community Impact Plan Update

 The 2011 Community Impact Plan is a four-phase plan that focuses on collaborative community planning and
building.  By combining the highest priority needs in the Treasure Valley with the most effective partnerships and community leaders, we will continue our transition to a Community Impact United Way.  The first phase, research, refers to the community assessment that we have implemented.  In partnership with Saint Alphonsus Health System, St. Luke's Health System and Boise State University, we have been successful in the many critical
components of the assessment.
 
1.  Over 200 studies have been reviewed that will provide guidance for how to prioritize and measure outcomes. 
 
2.  Over 300 relevant secondary data points have been researched which will provide external benchmarks for
outcome measures and aid in prioritizing resources. 
 
3.   Over 2,700 stakeholder surveys were distributed to community members to collect feedback on where they see the needs and priorities in the Treasure Valley.  Over 800 surveys have been started and 627 have been
completed.
 
4.  Currently at 545 surveys completed by affected population (individuals who are in need of assistance or
services). 
 
5.  Two stakeholder focus groups were held with corporate partners and top donors. 
 
6.   Four focus groups with affected population were conducted for Education, two for Financial Independence and two for Health with additional focus groups held for special populations including elderly and refugees. 
 
7.  For additional feedback, research students have also been conducting intercept surveys from homeless shelters to refugee organizations.
 
Over the next few weeks this information will be reviewed and compiled for the final report. Once we have the research completed, we will move into the prioritization phase of the plan which will include a donor survey, analysis of the environmental barriers and internal capacity of United Way to make systemic change.

UWTV Loyal Community Garden Gets Some Roots

Our Loyal Contributor Community Garden is beginning to take shape! We have partnered with A Seed Planted, a local community garden near our offices. 
 
A Seed Planted started when Brandon and Katherine Stankewsky wanted to eat healthy but could not afford the organic/natural prices. They started to grow their own produce and wanted to sell the rest for extra income. That was until they realized they were not the only people who could not afford fresh produce. There were many people in the community who could not afford to purchase healthy foods. As a result A Seed Planted was born. The life philosophy of A Seed Planted is to give in every aspect and not to take in abundance. They believe everyone's philosophies in life are different but if we can focus them on helping others we can change this world. They have given us two rows in their garden to plant pumpkins. Create Common Good a United Way partner, donated the pumpkin seeds 
 
A few members of the United Way team planted pumpkin seeds and plants in the garden a couple of weeks ago. We will now need volunteers to help care for the pumpkins and help A Seed Planted maintain their entire garden. 
 
If you would like to volunteer at our Loyal Contributor garden and/or A Seed Planted volunteer hours for the garden are: 
 mornings at 9:30 Tuesday through Friday 
 evenings at 6:30 Tuesday and Friday (weather permitting)  
 
 
If you are interested in our garden and/or volunteering please contact Lonnie Marshall lmarshall@unitedwaytv.org
  

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