Blog
Friday, September 8, 2017
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), September is National Preparedness month. With hurricanes, storms and fires raging across the United States, we put together a list of suggestions on how to prepare for disasters from state and federal agencies. While the threat of a hurricane is minimal for Idaho, we do have other dangers this month. Just this week, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) declared an air quality advisory across the entire state for the first time since 2015. The Treasure Valley has...
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Volunteering is vital to the success of any community. When people give either their time or treasure, they are showing they care about the wellbeing of both their city and their fellow community members.
We are lucky here in Idaho; our neighborly community is all about helping each other out. The HuffPost ranks Idaho tied for fourth in the nation for volunteerism, with nearly 35 percent of Idahohans volunteering.
Volunteering not only improves the local community, but it is also a way to improve yourself, too! United Way...
Friday, May 12, 2017
Photo by Jay Kenneth Photograhy
Nonprofit Excellence AwardThe Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday named United Way of Treasure Valley as the 2017 recipient of the Nonprofit Excellence Award! The honor was presented renowned comedian and emcee James Cunningham at the Boise Chamber’s Small Business of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards luncheon at the Boise Centre.
From the United Way staff and Board of Directors, to every generous donor and volunteer, this award represents the collaborative efforts of so many...
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Today, April 26, is ‘Denim Day.’
All across the globe people are wearing denim jeans today to stand against sexual assault, and to stand in solidarity with people who have experienced it.
Several United Way of Treasure Valley and Treasure Valley Education Partnership staff members are wearing jeans today to show our support.
Why denim jeans?
According to an MSN article, a 1999 Supreme Court decision in Italy overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing ‘very tight jeans.’ Peace Over Violence, the...
Monday, April 17, 2017
Today, we officially kicked off the ‘volunteer week’ of the third annual United Way Children’s Book Drive. It was a monumental success.
Last week, April 10-14, businesses and organizations collected new and gently used children’s books across the Treasure Valley. Starting today, those same businesses, as well as several passionate community members, dropped off the donated books at our temporary book processing center (a large warehouse courtesy of property management company The Sundance Company) at 8740 W. Fairview in Boise.
...
Friday, April 14, 2017
Patrick came to Boise as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. His home country has struggled with violence and human rights abuses for decades.
On Wednesday night at JUMP in Boise, Patrick and two fellow new Americans, who came to the U.S. as refugees from Bosnia and Iraq, spoke about their journeys and assimilating into a new culture. Patrick had a simple and beautiful message: “‘Hi’ can be powerful.” A humble greeting to a stranger can have so much meaning; a smile and ‘hello’ can break down barriers and...
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Today is National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day. The IRS dedicated today to promoting the EITC, which provides refunds up to more than $6,000 to low-wage workers.
Last year, 130,000 households in Idaho claimed the EITC, receiving more than $304 million in refunds, according to IRS data. The average refund was $2,341. That’s money families can use to fix cars and roofs, put food on the table, or pay the electric bill. Considering this winter weather’s harsh effects, these refunds are a welcomed sight for many of our friends...