United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County

Help us welcome one of our newest employees, Patrick Gandara! Patrick is our new Facilities and Campaign Coordinator. Here's what Patrick had to say about his new role: "By performing my tasks well, I give the others the means to focus more on their duties, helping them to do bigger and better things. I'm excited to do my part, and I'm tackling my responsibilities with the mindset of "Every little bit goes a long way!" I am truly grateful for this opportunity to join United Way and to help give back to my community!"

The United Way Tocqueville Society Breakfast held this month was an engaging discussion featuring valuable insights from Jesse Edelman, the Chief Executive Officer of ArchPoint Group. The theme of this month's discussion was Collaborative Disruption in Retail. With 35 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, ArchPoint Group stands at the forefront of innovation, emphasizing the importance of community engagement. Jesse Edelman embodies this commitment in many ways, including by serving as a United Way Advisory Council member. The United Way Tocqueville Society is a group of philanthropists united in their mission to drive meaningful change. To learn how you can get involved, contact our Director of Individual Giving, Jennifer Agius Martinez or visit our website at https://bit.ly/3l7TDOH.

Children watch us as we aim for more in life and learn from our actions. Read Tasha's story as she sets the example for her three-year-old son. https://bit.ly/3DITZEL United Way offers Child Care Scholarships to ease the financial burden of child care for parents, helping them continue their education or workforce training while addressing essential needs. Our goal is to strengthen support for parents, promoting family stability and a brighter future.

Join us in welcoming our newest team member, Lauren Schumann! Lauren has joined as our Vice President of Individual Giving and Major Gifts. We're excited to have her on the team!

Yesterday, alongside United Ways of Texas, we took action at the Texas Capitol to advocate for expanded access to quality, affordable early childhood education and the essential 211 Helpline. These services are crucial for building a thriving community where every child and family can succeed. Key advocacy points included: - Affordable, high-quality childcare for all children in San Antonio and Bexar County - Investment in early childhood education to support child development and future success - Modernization of the 211 Helpline for better access to state benefits and community services - Enhanced resources for nonprofits to effectively serve our community - A thriving workforce supported by accessible childcare and community resources A heartfelt thank you to our partners, volunteers, and United Way Child Care Scholarship recipients. Your support is vital as we work together to create a brighter future and stronger community!

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the IRS, offers free tax preparation to local taxpayers earning up to $65,000. Volunteers complete at least 20 hours of training and pass an IRS exam to ensure they can assist with tax returns. VITA is brought to our community through the VITA Coalition, a network of organizations and individuals working hard to save taxpayers money. There are 12 service sites across the city and county. For more information, visit vitasa.org or call 211 to find a nearby location.

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope your day is filled with love and joy. May it warm your heart and create lasting memories with your loved ones. ??

In San Antonio, the digital divide challenges students striving to achieve their academic goals. United Way is partnering with EY and Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc. to bridge the digital gap. https://bit.ly/4jSP4RY7

Thanks to our HOPES Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), more than 550 books are now distributed across Little Free Libraries in our community. These leaders are transforming the early learning experience for children and instilling vital language and listening skills. A big thank you to the 13 parents of the PAC who helped distribute these books to 33 different locations. We're working toward a brighter future, one book at a time! ?? Read more: https://bit.ly/3E9GnSV #UnitedWay #SanAntonio #Nonprofit

We are thankful for companies like Toyota, which are taking one decisive step at a time to uplift the communities where their employees live. Programs like the Dual Generation Initiative and United Way Family Resource Centers are investments in San Antonio's economic future. They promote student success and foster strong families. Dual Generation supports parents and their children by assisting with child care, education and workforce development, ensuring a brighter future for our community's next generation, while Family Resource Centers provide a haven of resources designed for the community by the community. We're driving towards that future together. https://bit.ly/3QkG4Hz #UnitedWay #Toyota #StudentSuccess #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment