Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM January 2020 | Page 36

NON-PROFIT OF THE MONTH ANGELICA HANLEY, MPA Marketing Director United Way Galveston County Mainland [phone] | www.uwgcm.org UNITED WAY Galveston County Mainland U nited Way Galveston County Mainland (UWGCM) fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in its communities. UWGCM achieves this by supporting its 30 partner agencies that work hard to serve the Galveston County area’s unique set of needs. Together UWGCM and its partner agencies work hand-in-hand to improve lives in the neighborhoods in Galveston County. With industrial support and help from local businesses, families and individuals, UWGCM raises funds every year to support these local non profits and provide direct community services. When you give to UWGCM, your dollars stay local. That means your gift goes to those in your Galveston County community and addresses local needs and issues. UWGCM also works hard to make its fundraising as efficient as possible, with 92.8 percent of all funds going directly into the community and only 7.2 percent used for administrative costs. UWGCM’s vision is to build a community where residents of Galveston County are healthy, financially stable and empowered to meet their full potential. Take a look at some of UWGCM’s partner agencies’ impact in 2019. • 88 percent of youth had an increase in educational expectations. Some of those expectations include finishing high school and graduating college through Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast. • More than 1,600,000 pounds of food were distributed through the Galveston County Food Bank to feed the hungry. • 180 clients received parenting education classes and mental health support through the Family Service Center of Galveston County. Training Program: UWGCM has developed an extensive training program based on curriculum instruction combined with modern technology such as computers and visual aids. UWGCM enhances its 34 MOMENTUM | 2020 Year of Small Business training program by utilizing or partnering with other training coordinators and outside trainers to teach specialized skills as indicated in the initial assessment to meet our community’s needs. The goal of our trainings is to transform individual lives and bring long-lasting, systemic change to tough issues. All our trainings are free of charge and open to the community. VITA Program: The VITA program offers free tax help to low-to moderate-income (less than $58,000) families who cannot prepare their own returns and individuals who are elderly, disabled, veterans, or speak limited English. Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in Galveston County. In 2019, UWGCM volunteers prepared 207 tax returns, bringing back $92,331 to families in EIC funds and $298,734 in overall federal refunds, and they saved families over $144,990 in costly tax preparation fees. By increasing income to working families, the VITA program directly effects the family’s or individual’s ability to become or remain financially stable. Intern Program: The UWGCM Intern Program is a new and growing program for high school and college students. This program will allow students to work one on one with UWGCM staff to learn just how a non-profit functions. Through this internship, you will also gain hands-on experience of the nonprofit world. Normal business hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., but the intern schedule can be flexible according to school schedule. Please submit your resumes to Angelica Hanley [email protected]. Upcoming Events: Human Trafficking 101 Training, January 21, 2020, Campaign Thank You Luncheon February 12, 2020, VITA Program Opens February 17, 2020. Please visit UWGCM website for more information about our programs, events and volunteer opportunities. www.uwgcm.org.