Sonoma County

United Way is strengthening our commitment to the Mendocino and Lake County regions by focusing on education, income and health - the building blocks of a good life. Along with our partners, the following programs and initatives have been the focus of United Way's work within the two counties.

2-1-1 Sonoma County

2-1-1 was launched on February 11, 2009. It is a free, easy-to-remember multi-lingual telephone number available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More than 10,000 people have been helped through 2-1-1 since its launch. Learn more about 2-1-1 and how to get connected.

Earn It! Keep It! Save It!

Across Sonoma County households are taking advantage of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) program. The EKS coalition of partner agencies provides free, quality tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income families. The program ensures clients receive the tax credits they are due, and improves the financial stability of our hard working families. Learn more about how to take advantage of this program, or how to volunteer.

FamilyWize
Using the FamilyWize discount card, individuals and families save an average of 30% on prescriptions from participating pharmacies. The card can be used by anyone with or without insurance, and may cover prescriptions not covered by health insurance, Medicare and other benefit plans. There is no enrollment, activation process or fees. Download a FamilyWize card or learn more about the program.

United Way Children’s Book Drive
    
Low-income students who do not have access to books at home during the summer will lose the equivalent of two months of reading instruction compared to their middle and upper income peers. Over time, this summer learning-loss explains the achievement gap that becomes evident by high school. In June 2011, United Way held a children’s book drive benefiting the Sonoma County Bookmobile sponsored by Exchange Bank and JDSU. More than 5,000 books were collected and distributed to local low-income children in the county.

Day of Caring
   
Day of Caring is held each year on the second Wednesday in September. It is a day where volunteers come together to give back and make a hands-on difference at local non-profit agencies and the clients they serve. Each year Day of Caring grows larger. Learn more about volunteering for Day of Caring.    

Sonoma Serves with Day of Caring
   
In 2011, United Way partnered with Sonoma State University during the second Sonoma Serves volunteer event. On Saturday, September 24, nearly 600 students spent their day giving back to the community during Sonoma Serves with Day of Caring. Projects included cleaning regional beaches and parks, beautifying neighborhoods and working at local non-profits helping with landscaping, painting and other projects.

Programs supported by 2011 United Way Strategic Fund Grants:
Catholic Charities - Coach 2 Career
The Coach 2 Career program empowers clients to accomplish employment goals and reduce client reliance on state subsidized benefits. Clients engage in a seven-week course including individual employment counseling, interview training, dress-for-success workshops, resume-building and computer job searches.

·         Committee on the Shelterless - Rent Right
Rent Right provides financial literacy and housing help with community volunteers as mentors. This nine-week course provides students with the financial skills they need to learn in order to get back under a roof of their own. Students practice skills in credit repair, budgeting and maintaining good business relationships.

·         North Bay Children’s Center - School Readiness
The School Readiness program takes place at Title 1 elementary school campuses in Santa Rosa and Petaluma providing early learning strategies preparing children for academic success. 

·         Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County - Pasitos
Pasitos addresses the needs of Spanish speaking families preparing children to be kindergarten ready. The goal of the program is to help prepare children to be successful in school and provide parents with the tools needed to maximize their impact as the first and most important teacher and primary advocate for their child. Participants attend weekly playgroup gatherings and monthly workshops.

2011 Community Solutions Team Members Include:
Lisa Carreno, Spaulding McCullough & Tansil, LLC (Chair)
Victor Assad, Medtronic Cardiovascular
Ellen Bauer, County of Sonoma (Dept. of Health Services)
Gale Brownell, Community Volunteer
Janet Conner, First Community Bank
Shelley Caviness, FIRST 5 Sonoma County
Mark Dolan, Medtronic Cardiovascular
Marla Stuart, County of Sonoma (Dept. of Human Services)
Marcos Suarez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Telemundo
Diane Traversi, Santa Rosa Junior College

Community Collaborations and Committees
Education
Aiming High
Partnership for Children
Ready By 21, Petaluma
Santa Rosa Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force
Sonoma Literacy Coalition
Income / Basic Needs
2-1-1 Sonoma County Steering Committee
California Association of Food Banks
Continuum of Care
Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Sonoma County Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Sonoma County Human Services Commission
Workforce Development Committee
Health
Health Action - Sonoma County
Healthy Kids Sonoma County
HealthySonoma.org