United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

November's Around the Corner — Make Sure You're Ready to Vote!

Today is National Voter Registration Day and at United Way, we believe every American has the right to be informed, engaged and empowered to make their voice count. Did you know 1 in 4 eligible Americans aren’t registered to vote? Don’t let your voice go unheard this November!

Join the BIPOC Land Leadership group this weekend for a free outdoor yoga session at the Leach Botanical Garden. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette hosts these gatherings to help BIPOC individuals connect with their community in the outdoors. This session will be led by Maya Lake-Freeman, a trauma-informed yoga teacher dedicated to fostering healing, connection and agency.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 21st from 10:30AM - 1:00PM. Learn more and register by emailing [email protected].

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette's Early Learning Washington County team builds confidence, skills and effectiveness in educators throughout Washington County. We are delighted to recognize and celebrate the exceptional accomplishment of our dedicated group of 10 Early Learning educators from Washington County. Over the course of the past four months, these professionals have successfully completed the Training for Trainers cohort, enhancing their expertise in Early Learning STEM/STEAM education and adult training.

Laurys Duno, a participant of the cohort noted "I loved that they gave us the information and materials. Having the tools was essential”, while Bianela Arteta shared “Now I feel confident to be able to lead STEM as a facilitator".

Congratulations to this dedicated group for their outstanding accomplishment!

On August 17th, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette's Early Learning Washington County team proudly hosted the Next Generation Science Standards 101 workshop, offering engaging sessions in both English and Spanish for a myriad of early educators.

This comprehensive six-hour training was expertly led by our dedicated cohort participants, whose collaborative efforts and impressive teamwork truly shone through. Their confidence and skill marked a promising start to their journey in STEAM education for early childhood, setting the stage for future success in nurturing young minds.

United Way's deep connections to labor go beyond one day. We honor the movement and solidarity of unions that has led to a stronger and more equitable world for workers. We thank our partners at Labor's Community Service Agency for their year-round work to advocate for union families across the Portland Metropolitan Area. We have supported LCSA-Northwest for decades because we know healthy communities, strong families and resilient people are the result of strong labor unions, worker representation and collective activism.

Our team is dedicated to the mission of United Way. We show that everyday by putting ourselves into the work and pursuing that mission with passion, dedication and empathy. We also show it through our internal campaign, where our employees pledge funds to the work we all do. But it's not all about fundraising! Yesterday our team gathered at Red Sunset Park in Gresham for a staff picnic, one of the many activities we've held these past weeks to encourage giving and broaden our camaraderie.

Interested in joining in on this fundraising and helping us pursue a more just, equitable and caring community? Donate or volunteer here: https://www.unitedway-pdx.org/

On Saturday, August 24th, Eaton held its 2024 Employee Picnic at Oregon Zoo. Over 380 employees of Eaton attended with their families. Plant Manager Jonathan Wells, a Board Member of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, commended employees for supporting their local United Way and we commend them as well! This is how we create change, we gather do-gooders and tell our story. We know that the work we do positively impacts the community, and when we can show that impact and the need for it, people show up! Thanks Eaton and Jonathan for all your support.

A big thank you to KHEM for facilitating another BIPOC Land Leadership gathering alongside us. This past Saturday a group gathered at Washington Park to share in the beauty of nature and creating art. Verde Cocina was gracious enough to cater this gathering with nurturing and delicious food!

"Keep on drawing, connecting and building on that sense of belonging to the land and spaces we are an integral part of," said United Way's Laurin Bello, who attended the event.

Come join us this Saturday for our BIPOC Land Leadership Gathering!

What to expect:
- Two guided hikes of approximately 45 minutes each through Washington Park.
- Stops along the way to create art inspired by the natural surroundings.
- All drawing materials (notepad and pens) provided by United Way.
- A delicious lunch to fuel your creativity!

This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, express your relationship with the land through art and build connections with other creatives.

The event will be facilitated by KHEM, a lifelong artist who is passionate about creating space for BIPOC voices.

Register today! Spots are limited.

For more information & registration details, please email Laurin Bello at [email protected]

Early Learning Washington County, a joint effort between United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Washington County, recently partnered with Oregon State University to offer training sessions for early educators. These sessions focused on incorporating art into STEAM education. The training, provided in both English and Spanish, highlighted the importance of STEM in early childhood and how art can effectively introduce these concepts.

Victor Villegas, the facilitator, emphasized the role of play, art, and creativity in inspiring learning. Participants learned how to create a stimulating environment using open-ended materials and questions to encourage children's curiosity. Interactive activities like dance, theater, and music were incorporated into the training to enhance learning.

HUB del Aprendizaje Temprano del Condado de Washington, una asociación entre United Way of the Columbia-Willamette y el condado de Washington, en colaboración con la Universidad Estatal de Oregón, organizó sesiones de formación para educadores de la primera infancia sobre la integración del arte como introducción a STEAM. Estas sesiones, impartidas tanto en inglés como en español, tenían como objetivo subrayar la importancia de STEM en la educación infantil y cómo el arte puede allanar eficazmente el camino para introducir conceptos STEAM.

El presentador, Víctor Villegas, hizo hincapié en el valor del juego, el arte y la creatividad para inspirar el aprendizaje. Los participantes adquirieron valiosos conocimientos sobre cómo fomentar un entorno equilibrado con materiales y preguntas abiertas para despertar la curiosidad innata de los niños. Las sesiones se enriquecieron con actividades interactivas como danza, teatro y música, en las que participaron activamente los asistentes.

August is Make-a-Will month, and we're spending this week dispelling some common myths about creating a will.

Myth 3: My family knows what I want, so I don’t need a will.

Fact: Your family might know what you want, but they won’t get to make any decisions for you if you don’t write them down in a will. Instead, a court will make those decisions based on local laws. And the court process can be long and cost your loved ones a lot of money from your estate.

Set your family up in 20 minutes by visiting https://www.freewill.com/

Our team is soaking up knowledge and inspiration at the United Way Western Regional Conference! 🧠🤝 We're connecting with fellow United Way leaders, attending insightful seminars, and discovering new ways to create positive change in our community. Our team is excited to bring fresh ideas and best practices back to our community!

August is Make-a-Will month, and we're spending this week dispelling some common myths about creating a will.

Myth 2: Making a will is a long, expensive and complicated process.

Fact: Not anymore! Through United Way's partnership with Freewill you can fill out, download and print your will for free in less than 20 minutes. Then all you have to do is sign your will with at least two witnesses and keep it safe. Be sure to inform your loved ones that you are prepared, no matter your age! Visit the Freewill website today and check out their tools: https://www.freewill.com/

August is Make-a-Will month, and we're spending this week dispelling some common myths about creating a will.

United Way partners with Freewill to help you create a will in 20 minutes or less! This is a free, easy way to protect the people and communities you love, there’s no better moment than now to find some peace of mind in planning for the future.

Myth #1: Wills are only important if you have a lot of money or property.

Fact: This is false. There are many reasons to have a will. Wills can do quite a bit more than just name who gets your money and property. With a will, you can also nominate guardians for your minor children, name caretakers for your pets, leave instructions for digital assets, write your funeral wishes, and more. A will can also save your loved ones the time, money, and stress of lengthy, expensive probate court proceedings.

Learn more and make your will here: https://www.freewill.com/

Calling all BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) creatives!

Join us for a special live drawing session at Washington Park on Saturday, August 17th from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. This interactive outdoor gathering is led by and for BIPOC community members to connect with the land and each other through art and nature.

What to expect:
- Two guided hikes of approximately 45 minutes each through Washington Park.
- Stops along the way to create art inspired by the natural surroundings.
- All drawing materials (notepad and pens) provided by United Way.
- A delicious lunch to fuel your creativity!

This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, express your relationship with the land through art and build connections with other creatives.

The event will be facilitated by KHEM, a lifelong artist who is passionate about creating space for BIPOC voices.

Register today! Spots are limited.

For more information & registration details, please email Laurin Bello at [email protected]

Last week we celebrated 10 years of parent engagement, advocacy and accountability in Multnomah County. Our Early Learning hub's Parent Accountability Council has been bringing parents to the decision making table and ensuring they have a voice for a decade now. This group of dedicated parents has evolved and grown over the years, but has kept a laser focus on making sure children in Multnomah County are provided with the best education.

The PAC's focus on multiculturalism has brought representation and power to parents from a diverse background, ensuring that their kids and other kids who lack representation have their needs met.

"I want to thank each and every one of these parents, they are always with me," said longtime PAC member Lydia Gray-Holifield. "I carry you in my heart and on my shoulders to make sure that you're always represented. We are now a pr***en, and we started out as a seed. Here's to 10 more years!"

Thank you for your decade of service and for improving the lives and education of all children in Multnomah County.

We are excited to announce that United Way of Columbia-Willamette and United Way of Central Oregon have completed a historic merger!

This unification expands their reach and effectiveness in serving both regions’ individuals and families. The merger unites two established nonprofits that share a commitment to critical issues such as expanding youth opportunities, nurturing healthy communities, bolstering resilience in both communities and facilitating greater financial security.

By combining resources, expertise and networks, the organizations aim for a more significant and sustainable impact. The combined entity will continue to operate and expand programs that reflect the unique needs of each community. Every dollar received will continue to be used as each donor intended. Donations made in Central Oregon will be kept local to empower people in Central Oregon, while donations made in the Columbia-Willamette service catchment will continue to uplift community members there.

"United Ways globally improve lives by mobilizing communities,” said Kelly O'Lague, President and CEO of UWCW. "This merger reflects our unwavering dedication to a world where every person thrives. Together, we will drive transformative change and empower Oregonians in the Portland metro area and in Central Oregon.

Diana Fischetti, UWCO Regional Executive Director added, "This merger is more than just organizational integration; it is a convergence of our shared values, aspirations and unwavering dedication to community well-being. Together, we embark on a journey fueled by the belief that united, our impact knows no bounds. As we combine our strengths and resources, we're not just building a stronger organization, we're forging a path towards a brighter future for our region."

Early Learning Washington County HUB, invita a los provedores del aprendizaje temprano y a padres lideres a un taller interactivo gratuito, tanto en inglés como en español, llamado Estándares Científicos de las Próximas Generaciones. Será una clase interesante que traerá actividades STEAM a la vida de nuestros niños pequeños. Los participantes en el cuidado infantil recibirán 6 horas de crédito ORO para la Educación Continua en las Categorías de Conocimiento Básico de LEC en el grupo de edad preescolar".

Si está interesado, regístrese a través de Eventbrite.

Eventbrite-
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduccion-a-los-estandares-de-ciencias-de-la-proxima-generacion-tickets-927928046767

United Way's Early Learning Washington County HUB invites early educators and parents to a free interactive workshop (in both English and Spanish) called Next Generations Science Standards.

This engaging class helps educators learn how to best brings STEAM activities into our young children's lives. It helps early educators engage with and master difficult subjects to teach that are critical to our children's success in the modern era. Check out the link below if you are interested: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-the-next-generation-science-standards-for-early-learning-tickets-927365072897

**Childcare participants will receive 6 hours of ORO credit towards the Continuing Education in the LEC Core Knowledge Categories in the preschool age group.

We have community members reaching out to us for assistance every day. Whether it's those seeking help as they face an eviction, people looking for rental assistance or folks wanting to provide their children with diapers or books, we know firsthand the need is here. We can't provide this alone. It is through the help of our partner organizations, volunteers, donors and many more people in our community that we can start creating resilience. Interested in pitching in? Make a donation today: https://bit.ly/3KYjcev

We will be eternally indebted to Molly Day for the impact she has had on our organization and our community. She is a champion of children, a foundational energizer of Preschool for All in our state and a strong advocate for parent leadership in our schools. Thank you for the years of service and enjoy retirement!

Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service and OSU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) are partnering with Early Learning Washington County HUB to bring you a fun and educational 3-hour workshop. We will show in-home childcare providers and preschool teachers how to add art activities or art spaces to their classrooms to help introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subjects to young learners.

Participants will understand the role of art in developing creativity and innovation.
• Explore how art activities can lead to an interest in STEM fields.
• Learn how to adapt curriculum for strategies to create an inclusive learning environment.
• Hands-on creation of art projects that integrate techniques for STEM integration

Participants will receive a certificate from OSU with the certificate title and documented seat-hours.

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When/Cuando: August 1st
Time/: 9 am – 12 pm (English) AND 2 pm - 5 pm (Español)
Where: Beaverton Resource Center 13565 SW Walker Rd Beaverton OR 97005
Registration - https://bit.ly/3XzdCXD
Registro: https://bit.ly/3XnkaIG
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El Servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University (OSU) y OSU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) se están asociando con Early Learning Washington County para ofrecer un divertido y educativo taller de 3 horas. Mostraremos a los proveedores de cuidado infantil en el hogar y a maestros de preescolar cómo agregar actividades de arte o espacios de arte a sus aulas para ayudar a los niños aprender sobre STEM (Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Matemáticas).

Los participantes comprenderán el papel del arte en el desarrollo de la creatividad y la innovación. Cómo el arte ayuda a desarrollar la creatividad y la innovación.
• Maneras de usar el arte para despertar el interés en STEM
• Cómo crear un entorno de aprendizaje inclusivo con el arte.
• Actividades prácticas para integrar el arte con el aprendizaje STEM.

Los participantes recibirán un certificado de OSU con el título del certificado y las horas de asiento documentadas.

Art as an Introduction into STEAM Join us for a workshop that will focus on art as a component of STEAM and gateway to STEM learning.

From conception to assembly to delivery, United Way is strengthened by our partners. Whether it's partner organizations putting their heads together with us to come up with the perfect summer reading kit, volunteers coming into our office to assemble it or UPS helping us get these kits delivered to schools across our community, we couldn't do it alone.

These summer reading kits are out the door and in the hands of countless kids! We hope it helps them have an engaging, educational and fun summer that inspires their reading journey! Thanks to all of our partners for helping us make this happen.

It's hard to sum up a year of work, but our recently released annual report does a great job of it! Throughout this annual report, you will find stories of hope, resilience and progress — testaments to the power of collective action and the difference we can make when we come together as a community.

Whether it is encouraging collaboration, ensuring access to vital resources or empowering individuals and families to thrive, each achievement represents a milestone on our journey toward a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Thank you to all of our partners in this work, our donors and our amazing staff. We know that together, we can build resilience and create a community where all people can thrive. Take a look at the report here: https://bit.ly/3Vm0PVt

Our team proudly represented United Way at last weekend's CityFair, sharing the powerful work our organization does with our community. We work year round to ensure that everyone can access quality education, build economic mobility and live a healthy life. Keep an eye out for us at the next community event!

Celebrate World Environment Day by volunteering! Find a project that helps keep our local environment in tip-top shape on United Way’s Hands On Greater Portland Project Calendar ➡️ https://bit.ly/3ySnahJ

We're hiring! United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Housing Stability Program Manager. If you're dedicated to making a difference in housing stability and want to join a dynamic team, we want to hear from you! Apply today and help us create lasting change in our community.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/4aCpGdq

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we’re celebrating love, diversity and equity. This month is all about honoring the progress we've made and recognizing the work that still needs to be done for LGBTQIA+ rights. Join us in spreading love, acceptance and pride this month and all year long.

A huge THANK YOU to OnPoint Community Credit Union – Rose City Branch for their generous donation of children's books to our book drive! Your support helps us bring the joy of reading to more children in our community.

If you would like to host your own book drive in your community or workplace, please email us at [email protected]. You can also support our book drive online at https://bit.ly/4asj6pU

Every book makes a difference! Thank you again to OnPoint for your donation!