LIVE UNITED Y’All!

By John Nevitt

As Ben Franklin once said, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” I can’t offer any help with the first one, but I can give you a little advice regarding the second.

Tip #1 – Go to a VITA Site

Did you know that if your household earns less than $49,000 a year, you can have your taxes done free of charge through an effort supported by Metro United Way? Through a program developed by the IRS called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), thousands of volunteers across the country are preparing federal and state tax returns for families, free of charge, to ensure they are getting all of the tax credits for which they are eligible, resulting in larger tax refunds. On average, you can save between $115 and $205, according to a national survey by the National Society of Accountants.

Metro United Way is making these same services available across our seven county region. VITA sites use certified volunteers who have completed an IRS approved training program to make sure you are getting the largest refund possible. To find a site near you, call Metro United Way 2-1-1, or use one of the following links to connect with one of our community partners:

• Louisville Asset Building Coalition (Jefferson County)
• Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition (Clark, Floyd, and Harrison Counties)
• HJW Career and Financial Literacy Institute

Tip #2 – File electronically and have your refund directly deposited into your bank account.

If you electronically file your return and choose the direct deposit option, you will typically have your refund in two weeks or less. We all know that time is money, and waiting for a paper check from Uncle Sam can take four to six weeks. VITA sites will electronically file your taxes for free. If you don’t have a bank account, our tax sites can connect you to a local bank or credit union with good products for you.

Tip #3 – Avoid using Refund Anticipation Loans.

Refund anticipation loans, or RALs, offered by many larger commercial tax preparers, auto dealerships, check cashing services, or payday lenders, strip valuable resources from your tax return, costing an average of $100 to get your loan a few days faster.

Tip #4 – Make sure you are claiming all of the tax credits for which you are eligible.

Here are a few to keep in mind: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supports families with incomes up to $48,279 and can result in a refund as high as $5,657, with an average refund of $2,000. Approximately $26 million in EITC goes unclaimed each year in Louisville. Another important credit is the child tax credit which earns you $1,000 per child. Other credits include the childcare tax credit, the savers credit, education credits, and homebuyer’s credits. Consult the IRS website for more information on the variety of tax credits available.

Tip #5 – Use electronic filing software.

The Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC), co-founded and supported by Metro United Way, offers free tax preparation software on its website for families of modest means. Also, certain LABC VITA sites, and other sites in our regional area, provide assisted self file services, including space, volunteers, and computers loaded with free filing software; they’re there to help if you get stuck. If you are not  eligible to use the free software because you’re income is too high, you can purchase software for a modest fee that will scan your return to ensure you are claiming all eligible deductions and credits to maximize your refund.

Income EITC, electronic filing, LABC, SIABC, tax credits, taxes, VITA

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

I am old enough to remember rather vividly when Billie Jean King took the court to play Bobby Riggs. This fact really has very, very little to do with much about me except I really wanted her to win. Having lived through more than a few decades, I will attest the times they are a-changing. So this post unfolds as Score 1 for the Women.

An amazing thing has happened over the last decade. Women now give more to charity than men. That’s right. Women on average donate twice as much to charity and make 3 times the number of donations as men. Although there is still a disparity in the equality of work and pay, even still, women are leading the way when it comes to charitable giving.

According to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, collectively, women support a variety of causes but the research shows that the majority is designated for the needs of children, creating opportunities for women, education and health issues.

Today’s affluent donor is just as likely to be a woman as a man and the research shows that women want something different from their philanthropic giving. No surprise there. Of course we do.

Women want to create new solutions for old problems. Women want to enjoy a personal connection to an organization and they want to collaborate and work with others as part of a larger effort. Women want to win and they want to make the world a better place and they want their lives to make a difference in the lives of others. When women can do this through giving it makes them feel empowered. Last but not least, women want to celebrate…or socialize with others!

Now, consider this…3 of every 4 people living in poverty in the United States are women and children. Yet even so, women with annual incomes less than $10,000 who are often homemakers with children gave 5.4% of their income to charity – the largest income to gift percentage for giving!

At Metro United Way we know that we all win in our community when children succeed in school, when families are financially stable and people have improved health. 

Wanna know more about what women want? Well just ASK. Seriously, if you ask a woman for her opinion, she will more often than not give it to you. Listen and learn. Want to know more about how to improve lives in our community and create opportunities for a brighter tomorrow for men, women and children in our community? Together we will accomplish more than any single organization or man…or woman can alone.

Giving, Income, Volunteering Add new tag, Metro United Way, Women and Charitable Giving

By John Nevitt

photo by DavidDMuir - click on photo for link

Just about everyone is feeling economic pressures these days in one form or fashion. At one extreme are families who have lost their home due to foreclosure, or who have lost their job through no fault of their own. These families are faced with making tough decisions about how to meet their most basic needs.

For the rest of us, we are deeply concerned about large dips in our retirement savings and investments, and we are fearful about the next downsizing at work.

Whatever an individual’s circumstances may be, it is safe to say that financial worries abound, and there are lots of good, hard-working folks in our community who are struggling to make ends meet and to provide for themselves and their families.

Let me tell you about one valuable service in our regional community supported by Metro United Way – free tax services. Through a long-standing partnership with the IRS and an effort known as VITA (volunteer income tax assistance), and a large number of community based organizations, volunteers are trained to complete your federal and state tax returns, and file them for you – at absolutely no cost to you if your household income is less than $49,000.

“What’s the catch?” you might wonder. “How can this be free?” “What strings are attached?” These are all good questions to ask.

As you may know, Metro United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Free tax services help us fulfill our mission. For many families, a tax refund represents a significant amount of their annual income, and comes in one lump sum. The goal of this program is to increase income by ensuring individuals and families are claiming all of the tax credits for which they are eligible, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. We know nationally that as many as 20-25% of families who are eligible are not claiming this credit due to lack of awareness, or because they don’t know how to complete the required tax forms. This represents tens of millions of dollars for our regional community – money that could be helping families during tough times, and benefitting our local economy.

Working with the IRS, volunteers are trained to determine if you are eligible, and to claim this credit that can bring as much as several thousand dollars back to families, can be significantly more depending on household size and income. By having your taxes done at one of the many VITA tax sites located across our regional community, you can be assured that there are volunteers certified by the IRS to assist you, maximize your tax refund, and leave you with a smile on your face, because there is no cost to you other than your time, and there are no strings attached! Filers with bank accounts who choose direct deposit can have their return in as little as 10 days or less.

If you need help, visit one of the free VITA tax sites supported through Metro United Way, in partnership with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) for Jefferson County, the Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition (SIABC) for Clark, Floyd and Harrison Counties in Indiana, and HJW Career and Financial Literacy Institute for Oldham and Shelby Counties.

If you would like to volunteer to help with free tax services, please contact the appropriate organization for your region. Last year, these efforts served 10,000 filers in our regional area, and additional volunteers are always needed as we strive to serve more.

Income free tax preparation, HJW Career and Financial Literacy Institute, LABC, SIABC, taxes, VITA

By: Kerri Cokeley

There is no doubt about it, the holidays are upon us. If you are like me, you are thinking where in the heck did this year go?!? Not only that, but I just finished paying off my expenses from last Christmas. This is the point where I start to stress out, bleh. (Insert hair pulling, eye crossing, and vigorous Nicorette chewing here.)

However, I am determined to find ways to let my friends and family know how much I care about them without breaking the bank this year. I’m also determined to become debt free in the new decade, and entering the New Year with a boatload of holiday debt is out of the question. But yet I ask myself, “Will I find a way to do this without feeling guilty?”

Just a few weeks ago, as my annual holiday stress started to ensue, I was happy to learn about a new workshop from our friends at the Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition, “Have a Debt Free Holiday! Give more for less.”  Each attendee will receive:

• At least one gift to give or to keep from their display of over 50 holiday gifts
• A list of over 250 ideas for holiday gift giving for $5 or less
• Holiday Spending Plan Worksheet-one for you and several to share with friends & family
• Fabulous refreshments
• A chance to win door prizes, and
• Great company!

No matter which holiday(s) you will be celebrating over the next few weeks, if gift giving is a part of your tradition, this is a great opportunity to learn and share ideas to do so in a more financially responsible way. This workshop will be held on Tuesday December 8^th from 5:30-7:00pm at Community Action of Southern Indiana. RSVP’s can be made by calling Whitney Bishop at 812.206.7514.

As I think further about reducing my Christmas spending, I realize that have nothing to feel guilty about after all. Just because I will work to be more frugal, it doesn’t mean that I will be less thoughtful or that I care less about my loved ones. –What a blessing, and a gift, it would be to pass on to the children in my life (and remind the adults) that this holiday isn’t about material things.

My wish for us all is to enjoy the cheer and true spirit of the season!

Income Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

I have been thinking a lot about the upcoming annual campaign in our community. It is what I do…think, plan, connect, encourage, communicate, review, explore, inquire, inspire, discuss and consider what will make a difference this year in someone’s workplace campaign. What is important to an individual donor? How can I demonstrate appreciation for the good works made possible by our Metro United Way corporate partners, donors and volunteers? I am also leaning into my work and trying to look at things a little bit differently this year. Quite frankly we must. You have heard it before right? If you continue to do things the same as in the past and you continue to get the same results then why does it surprise you?

My list will be kept short, but I hope you will join my conversation and share some of your idea’s on what you think is HOT and what you think is NOT.

What’s HOT:
• Making sure all children are safe, nurtured and prepared to succeed in school ( learn more about Success by 6)
• Making plans in your workplace to educate and build awareness for the work the work of United Way in our community and to Ask for participation in a company campaign where you work…WOW that’s hot!
• Serving as a volunteer Employee Coordinator for a United Way campaign and recruiting some co-worker friends to join you and help make it a success…sizzlin’!
• Sharing stories about your personal experience with United Way or how someone you work with whose life has been touched (meet someone you have helped here)
• Identifying the root causes of problems and providing solutions and support so that people can avoid some problems in the first-place…yep, it’s HOT
• Partnering with schools, service providers and community groups to improve high school graduation rates
• Saying YES when you are invited to join the United Way campaign and following up your giving by volunteering to get closer to the work you make possible and the lives you touch
Did you hear fire trucks?
• Being able to laugh at yourself and have fun while helping create opportunities for a brighter tomorrow
NOT HOT:
• There are nearly 9,000 children in JCPS who are homeless
• There are senior citizens in our community who live in fear of going outside or don’t have enough income for prescriptions and food…so they make choices
• Ice storms, wind storms, flash flooding that destroys peoples property and depletes their savings ( sign up with our volunteer center)
• An increase of nearly 40% of first time callers to 2-1-1 for assistance with basic human needs for food, clothing, shelter and necessities…a term I am hearing called “new poor” in our community
• Too many employees feel like United Way only comes around once a year when it’s time to ask for a donation. That’s not hot. There are endless possibilities and creative fun ways you can stay involved, thank loyal donors and contributors in your work and help employees understand they are making a difference 365 days a year
• Not planning ahead, setting goals or stretching yourself to do better in all that you do. Because if you don’t aim for something then you can’t be surprised when you miss the mark
• Seeing your coworkers dress up like Elvis and sing Viva Las Vegas… not hot…but a great way we added some fun to our employee campaign at Metro United Way and we are all looking forward to see who on our executive team will be donning a polyester jumpsuit next

Tried to keep it short…what’s hot where you work and what’s not?

Advocacy, Education, General, Giving, Health, Income, Volunteering campaign, Common good, community service, how to, recovery, Success By 6

by Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relations

I would like to take a moment today and congratulate all the fine people who have made the switch from analog to digital. Once again, we as Americans have survived another important milestone. It seems if we ban together we can accomplish anything!

I laughed out loud recently at this FB post made by a friend. I also quickly thought about a deeper message that entered my mind. I thought to myself, so the big day finally arrived, passed and went unnoticed. Sort of like the Y2k bug that never really reared a pesty head but the hype leading up caused such a stir.

Then, I thought a little bit more….One of the real challenges we have in our work at Metro United Way is in getting the message of our work out into our community. If you are a volunteer, donor or both then I would want to say THANK YOU as that is always a most important message. I know have along the way learned the value of lending your time, talents and treasure the United Way.

However, if you are in the pool of people who aren’t quite sure about the value of United Way, what we do, or the opportunities created, well then you need to know more.

Our goal is to advance the common good and share opportunities to give, advocate and volunteer for vital health and human services that will impact education, income and health in our community. At Metro United Way, we change the lives of those who walk by us everyday and we can change what we see in our world.

Stay with me on this… Think about it…What a difference it would make if the same dedicated messaging, and urgency -I recall for at least a year no less watching the scrolls, commercials and reminders to be ready for the impending switch from analog to digital TV- could be applied to helping our community.

Hmmm…I wonder what would happen for our neighbors, friends, and community if the same effort and level of importance this constant messaging created in citizens could be used to advance the common good and inspire people to get involved, and prepare to create some community change?

We would see progress toward bold goals and we would help make things better for all of us. Because we all win when families are financially stable, when children succeed in school and when we enjoy good health.

You too can share the good news, spread an important message and create a ground swell of awareness and support. You can also join with me in an easy, affordable way to make a big difference today by joining the Give 5 Now virtual campaign for Metro United Way. Check it out, share the message and Thanks!

Advocacy, Education, General, Giving, Health, Income advocate, Common good, community change, give, Give 5 Now, United Way, Volunteer

The first of this year I began to revisit a ritual I had not practiced regularly since I lived at home with my parents. I began to eat dinner at the kitchen table…no T.V., no phone, no distractions, at least three times a week. I have embarked on rediscovering the importance of uninterrupted meal time and I somehow feel better for it. 

I have started my own little version (sans children) of the family meal.

Of course, this is no new concept; families have been eating meals together even before grilled woolly mammoth was on the menu. But I think we can all agree that if the concept of the family meal doesn’t get some support real soon if may join the woolly mammoth on the extinction list.

Research has shown that when adults and children eat together good things start to happen:

·        Children do better in school

·        Children have fewer behavior problems

·        Teenagers are less apt to use drugs and alcohol

·        Children and teenagers say they like having time to talk to the adults in their lives

·        Communication between adults and children improves

·        Children understand their family’s values and traditions

·        Traditions are created around food and meals

Also…

·        Meals are usually more nutritious and healthful

·        Food dollars are better utilized with larger sized purchases

·        Time is better utilized because the family only cooks one meal

Source: http://nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/why.html

Here are some tips to get you started:

1.    Aim for four or more meals a week

2.    Make family meals a priority

3.    Cook it quick and eat it slow

4.    Work toward happy, relaxing conversations at meals

5.    If time is an issue, make meals quick and easy

6.    Shop for food and cook together

7.    Take telephone calls later

8.    Turn off the T.V

9.    Respect each individual’s right to decide how much to eat

Source:  http://nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/toolkit.html

There is no doubt that participating in the family meal is often easier said than done. Conflicting schedules, limited time for cooking, or limited knowledge of cooking techniques can make it difficult for some families to provide a good, wholesome, sit-down meal. The point is to be flexible, be patient, and do what you can to make meal time special with your family, whatever that looks like.

Want to learn more?

www.mealsmatter.org

http://nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/index.html

http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/96FamilyMeals.cfm

Advocacy, Health, Income

A recent survey of Metro United Way agencies indicated that many people in our community are struggling for a basic necessity- food. Our agencies that provide food assistance have seen a 40% increase in “first-timers” or people who have never sought food assistance before.

The statistics are astounding, but what really makes my heart ache is seeing how this affects so many people in our community- three children splitting one “happy” meal at the local fast food restaurant, seeing an elderly man dig through a garbage can on my commute home from work, hearing that a family friend lost his job, then his house, and ultimately his ability to feed his family of five. Its easier to read faceless statistics than to remember that this isn’t about numbers-its about people, right here in our community who don’t have enough to eat, and I’m sure you will agree that even one child in our community going to bed hungry is one too many…

You may be wondering, what can I do to make a difference?

Volunteer

In an effort to provide more food to more people, Metro United Way has partnered with Dare to Care to supply volunteers for additional Dare to Care Mobile Food Pantries around town. We are looking for groups of 10-12 to help distribute food at local Dare to Care mobile food pantry sites- please visit our website to sign up your company, church group or club.

Speaking of, the first pantry as a result of this partnership is happening today!! A big thank you to Youth Build and D.D Williamson & Co. for volunteering!

Advocate

Do you know someone who is struggling to feed his/her family? Whether it is food assistance or foreclosure advice, tell them to dial 2-1-1 for Metro United Way’s free, confidential health and human service assistance line. Help is available 24/7 in over 100 languages.

Give

To help families in our community who are in crisis, please consider a donation to Metro United Way. Did you know that a donation of $5.00 per week will provide one hundred warm meals to individuals at the Salvation Army Louisville Center for Hope?

For more information on how you can Live United please visit metrounitedway.org.

Photo by petit plat by sk_

Advocacy, Events, Giving, Income, Volunteering 2-1-1, advocate, Common good, Community, Giving, Live United, Louisville, Metro United Way, Volunteer

If it’s true that we learn something new everyday (and I think it is) then there must be lessons we can learn in today’s environment, no matter how difficult it is; lessons that will make us stronger and better prepared for the future.  Many have written articles about lessons learned during the Great Depression that can help us cope now.  But I’m curious . . . what lessons are we learning today?  What is the Recession teaching us now?  Below is a list of the lessons I think we can take from the Recession. 

1.    $10 – $11 = Trouble – Okay, so the concept of setting aside money for a rainy day is certainly nothing new (no really, I promise) but it’s one that has been widely ignored until now – now that the monsoon that is the current economic crisis has hit, that is.  Nevertheless, in January the savings rate in America hit its highest level in 14 years (NPR).  And while it was just at 5%, that’s still better than the negative rates we saw in 2005.  So, how much should you save and where should you put it?  Those are questions I agonized over when I first set out to build up my emergency fund.  For my own personal sanity I decided on 3 months worth of living expenses.  Regardless of how much you choose to save, the important thing is to remember to only use it for an emergency.  After all, when it starts to pour, you’re gonna need your rainy day fund to shield you from the storm.

2.      Don’t be afraid of the “B” Word – Yep, I mean “Budget” and no, I’m not talking about the rental company.  These days you hear the “b” word a lot.  A lot of the buzz is centered around shortfalls and national and state budgets.  But people are also talking more openly about their personal finances.  Closely tied to lesson #1 is the ability to stick to a budget and control personal expenses.  Tips for living frugally and cutting costs abound in the news and on the internet.  Some of my favorites are:

• Never shop without and don’t stray from your grocery list.
• Set goals for EVERY type of expense and track them monthly.
• Update your budget at least twice a month (I usually shoot for once a week) to keep yourself on track to achieve your monthly goal.
• When making a purchase, ask yourself if it’s something you need or want.  (Gulp!)

More tips for budgeting are here.

3.      “A” is for Accountability – If you missed the news about the AIG bonuses and the outrage it triggered across the country last week, than you must’ve been hiding under a rock.  Part of the reason it received such attention is that it raises questions about the larger issue of accountability.  The government and the companies that received TARP money are now learning what non-profit organizations long ago discovered – that those who support an organization or program expect tangible results and full financial disclosure.  I think this new era of accountability will mean a more effective government.  After all, what gets measured, gets done.  What do you think?

4.      Vulnerability is Universal – While working toward a sociology degree I learned about this theory called the “Just World Hypothesis.”  It goes a little something like this: we as people have a tendency to believe that the world is fair and just, that people deserve their lot in life.  This allows us to feel safe in an uncertain world.  The problem with this way of thinking is that it can lead us to blame others for situations not entirely in their control.  With layoffs and job losses setting decades-old records we are witnessing first-hand that sometimes bad things do happen to good people for no good reason.  Perhaps this recession will prompt us to reevaluate our thoughts about poverty and need.  More than that, maybe it will help us all to realize the importance of human and social service agencies in our community.  Imagine our community without them!  What would it look like?  Would we be able to weather times like the present?

5.      We are Interdependent – I know this may be difficult to swallow, especially as citizens of a country that prides itself on independence, but we’re learning now that we are all interconnected.  We’re seeing this play-out in the global economic crisis, the use of the phrase “too big to fail” and in the housing market.  When one fails it creates a ripple effect, eventually touching us all.  But the fact that we’re interdependent isn’t all (or even mostly) bad.  I think it’s just the opposite!  Being interdependent also allows us to share in one another’s success.  That’s the premise behind LIVE UNITED – when you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all.  Do you agree that we’re interdependent?  What implications does that have for you? For our community?

I hope that these are lessons we will take with us after the Recession.  Indeed, it may be that the toughest lessons we have to learn are those we learn in tough times.  But I suppose we’ll have to let history be the judge of that. 

What do you think?  What lessons have you learned during the Recession or do you hope we will learn as a community?

photo credit: foundphotoslj

General, Income AIG, budget, recession, Saving, TARP

by Karla Close

Now all of you know MUW.

Here’s a rap about our vision we’re presenting to you.

It’s a vision ‘bout community in Kentuckiana,

To make this region great, you know we need a good plan-ah.

We imagine things that never happened before,

We’ve a passion for this place that just can’t be ignored,

And when we say we’re all about improving lives,

Well, you gotta know, honey, we ain’t talkin’ no jive.

Just imagine a place where kids have the tools

That help them succeed when they go to their schools.

Where everyone: older folks, kids and adults,

Feel safe in their homes; now we’re seeing results!

Can’t you just imagine a community

Where folks are living side-by-side in unity?

Where people play an active part in making decisions

And have the skills they need to help in healing divisions.

Can’t you just envision a community where

Seniors have more to do than just rock in their chairs?

Where older folks are valued for the wisdom they bring,

And enabled to participate in everything.

A place where those among us who are differently abled,

Are seen for who they are and not just casually labeled.

They’re given the means to reach their potential,

Their contributions are considered to be essential!

Can you imagine a hometown that cares

As much about the needs of poor folks as its millionaires?

A community where hurting families’ needs are met;

And they get the help they need to get out of debt.

And those among us struggling with pain or addiction

Will be healed by a community that has the conviction

That all of our neighbors are deserving of hope,

And will find help for their problem, whatever its scope.

But to make this vision real requires our dedication

If we want to make the place we live the best in the nation.

So set your sights on the future, and help lead the way

To make this place a better place everyday.

We’ll need the help of everyone to shoulder the load.

And when we all get on board, this thing’ll really explode!

Help others catch the vision, and soon you will see

That we’ll be Living United to the highest degree!

Advocacy, Education, General, Giving, Health, Income, Volunteering Community, rap