Press Releases
Arden and Pocket Residents Receive Awards
SACRAMENTO (December 17, 2021) – Carolyn Mullins of the Pocket area, and Amber Lovett and David Wilson of Arden, were honored by United Way California Capital Region at an evening recognition event held at the California State Railroad Museum earlier this month.
Granite Bay Residents Receive Awards
SACRAMENTO (December 17, 2021) – David Cable and David Bowen, both of Granite Bay, received the Boje and Price Award for Outstanding Volunteerism from United Way California Capital Region at an evening recognition event held at the California State Railroad Museum in early December.
United We Shine: 12-Day Giving Campaign Supporting Local Nonprofits
SACRAMENTO (November 24, 2021) – This holiday season, the local United Way is shining a light on its nonprofit partners working to end poverty in the Capital Region. Each day for 12 days starting Nov. 29, United Way’s United We Shine campaign will feature a different nonprofit partner that is working to build equity and end poverty in the region, including a specific need each is facing and how local residents can help. To participate, follow United Way California Capital Region on social media. For more: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/post/United-We-Shine.
Volunteers Needed to Help Local Families Apply for Tax Refunds
SACRAMENTO (October 21, 2021) – Volunteers are needed to help local families file their taxes and apply for refunds as part of United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program that will open again in early 2022. No experience is required, and training is provided through a combination of self-study and online live sessions to become an IRS-certified volunteer with the program. To learn more: YourLocalUnitedWay.org/freetaxprep-volunteer.
Dr. Dawnté Early Named New President & CEO
SACRAMENTO (October 8, 2021) – Dr. Dawnté Early has been named president and CEO of United Way California Capital Region. She will begin the position on Nov. 16, leading the local United Way chapter into its 100th anniversary year.
Volunteers Needed to Help Local Kids Learn to Read
SACRAMENTO (October 1, 2021) – Volunteers are needed to help local kids learn to read through United Way California Capital Region’s STARS program that pairs volunteers and students up through sixth grade for online literacy tutoring so they can succeed in school. No prior tutoring knowledge is needed, as United Way provides training for its volunteers, all of whom commit to at least one hour each week split into two 30-minute sessions for three months. Volunteers are especially needed during the hours of 3-5 pm.
Tickets on Sale for Brews & Brains Trivia Fundraiser
SACRAMENTO (September 10, 2021) – Local residents can enjoy independent craft brews and trivia in an urban Biergarten at United Way’s 7th annual Brews and Brains fundraiser on Oct. 14, hosted by United Way’s Young Leaders Society and sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Tickets are on sale for the outdoor event at SacYard Community Tap House that also will include a raffle, commemorative pint glass, food and entertainment to raise funds for United Way’s work to create digital equity across the region. Tickets are expected to sell out.
Oyango Snell to Lead Local United Way as Board Chair
SACRAMENTO (August 31, 2021) – Oyango Snell will lead United Way California Capital Region into its 100th anniversary year as chair of the local nonprofit’s board of directors. Snell was elected to the position in July.
Woodland Resident to Help Lead Local United Way
SACRAMENTO (August 31, 2021) – Ruth Miller of Woodland will help lead United Way California Capital Region into its 100th anniversary year as vice chair of the local nonprofit’s board of directors. Miller was elected to the position in July.
School Supplies Needed to Help Twin Rivers Public Housing Students
SACRAMENTO (August 11, 2021) – Local residents can help students in the Twin Rivers Public Housing Community, formerly known as Dos Rios, return to school this month equipped and empowered to succeed by purchasing school supplies from the Amazon wishlist set up by United Way California Capital Region and Urban Strategies, Inc. From scissors and calculators to paper and pens, supplies are needed by Aug. 27 and can be purchased by visiting YourLocalUnitedWay.org.
United Way Launches Digital Equity Partnership
SACRAMENTO (July 21, 2021) – In a press conference today, United Way California Capital Region launched its three-year digital equity partnership with the City of Sacramento, SMUD, City of Rancho Cordova and community nonprofits to close the local digital divide – unequal technology and internet access – that has expanded during the pandemic. Building on its pilot project with the City of Sacramento in fall 2020, United Way and its partners are working to address the issue of digital equity long-term both inside and beyond the city limits.
More than 700 First-Graders Participate in Woodland Kids Read
SACRAMENTO (May 21, 2021) – First-grade classrooms across Woodland tuned into Zoom on Tuesday to watch local children’s author Sandy Holman read her book, “We All Have Heritage,” as part of United Way California Capital Region’s annual Woodland Kids Read event. Holman, affectionally known to local children as the Purple Lady, has participated in the event since its founding five years ago. This year, she shared her presentation about love, diversity, education and living your dreams with 726 first-graders. Each child received a hardcover version of Holman’s book to bring home.
United Way to Honor Yolo Community Partners in Virtual Woodland Awards Showcase
SACRAMENTO (April 20, 2021) – United Way California Capital Region will hold a virtual showcase on April 22 to honor its Yolo County partners that are working to increase the number of Woodland students that graduate from high school prepared for success in college and career through United Way’s Square One Project. Yolo County Office of Education will receive the Outstanding Community Partner award. Sandy Holman with the Culture C.O.-O.P. will receive the Outstanding Community Leader award, and Ullrich Delevati, CPAs, will receive the Outstanding Corporate Partner award.
New United Way Literacy Program has Local Kids Reaching for the STARS
SACRAMENTO (April 9, 2021) – United Way California Capital Region is launching a new literacy effort called STARS that pairs volunteers online with local kids learning to read. With the recent launch of the program, United Way California Capital Region will be raising funds for STARS on May 6, Big Day of Giving. Local residents are invited to participate by donating at various giving levels and sharing photos of themselves reading on social media.
Virtual Free Tax Prep Program Shifts Due to Rise in Demand, Extended Deadline
SACRAMENTO (3/29/21) – United Way California Capital Region is shifting its free tax help program from virtual one-on-one assistance to virtual group assistance and a do-it-yourself option, due to a rise in demand and the new filing deadline of May 17. Eligible households can now visit YourFreeTaxPrep.org to file their taxes online for free by themselves or to sign up for a free April 10 Zoom webinar where United Way’s IRS-certified volunteers will assist the group in filing their taxes online.
Local United Way CEO to Step Down for Position at Seattle Foundation
SACRAMENTO (3/26/21) – Stephanie McLemore Bray, president and CEO of United Way California Capital Region, will leave her position in mid-April as she transitions to her new role as chief engagement officer for Seattle Foundation in May. Amber Lovett, chief resource development and marketing officer at United Way California Capital Region, will transition to interim president and CEO on April 1 while the organization undergoes a nationwide search.
3-Day Virtual Event Brings Women Together
SACRAMENTO (3/9/21) – United Way California Capital Region’s Women United action group is inviting community members to its three-day virtual event during Women’s History Month to raise awareness of the needs of local foster youth and to celebrate the local women who are making a difference for foster youth in the community.
Roseville Resident Elected to United Way Board of Directors
SACRAMENTO (2/25/21) – Jessica Sellner of Roseville has been
elected to United Way California Capital Region’s board of
directors. Sellner is vice president of finance
at Health Net and California Health and Wellness, part
of Centene.
First Wave of Community Funding from Mackenzie Scott Donation Announced
SACRAMENTO (2/9/21) – United Way California Capital Region has approved a first wave of funding totaling $500,000 from the $10 million gift received in December from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The first wave of funding will help individuals and families in the region gain social and financial capital, support United Way’s digital equity work across the capital region, empower Sacramento residents to have a voice in a local redevelopment project and provide COVID-19 relief funding in Yolo County.
Free Tax Help Available Virtually Across Sacramento Region
SACRAMENTO (1/25/21) – Households throughout the Sacramento region are eligible for free virtual help preparing taxes and claiming credits this year, saving an average of $200 in preparer fees and earning up to $8,000 in credits. More households are eligible to participate in United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program this year, including those earning $65,000 or less in 2020.