United Way of San Diego County

This week, United Way of San Diego County’s President & CEO, Nancy L. Sasaki, joined K**I News to discuss our partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to support flood relief efforts. Thanks to this collaboration, funds were directed to The Harvey Family Foundation and San Diego VOAD, who have been on the frontlines, helping families affected by the floods since early 2024.

Nancy highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by local families and how this vital funding is helping with housing restoration, property repairs, and the provision of essential items needed by flood survivors.

A big thank you to K**I News for giving us the platform to share this important work!

Catch the full interview through the link below.
https://youtu.be/eP3fj6lHMxA?si=Mm9Vo_ypCrBvj_95

Join us for an evening of wonder! 🌠
You are cordially invited to an exciting night that will ignite your sense of childlike wonder. 🤩
Enjoy an awe-inspiring evening with delightful drinks, engaging activities, and a silent auction to support our mission of elevating San Diego County’s children, individuals, and families toward a brighter future through transformative education and economic mobility initiatives.

Date: Wednesday, October 30th
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Farmer & The Seahorse

📍 10996 Torreyana Rd Ste 240, San Diego, CA 92121

⏰ Don’t miss out on early-bird pricing through September 22nd.

Register today by at the link below and prepare for an unforgettable evening!
uwsd.org/EveningOfWonder

Check out the recent San Diego Union-Tribune Op-Ed article, authored by UWSD’s President & CEO, Nancy L. Sasaki M.Ed. and VP of Collaborative Impact, James McConchie Ph.D., which highlights our region’s growing need for a diverse group of STEM workers. 💡

Head to the link below to read more about how San Diego County can invest in more STEM-based educational programs to help build diverse STEM talent.

https://tinyurl.com/hpt7rech

🌟 In times of need, unity brings hope! 🌟

We are proud to announce that United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) partnered to grant funds to further aid San Diego County residents impacted by January floods.

UWSD and SDG&E joined forces to distribute $180,000 in grants to two local organizations that have been instrumental with providing direct support to families and residents affected by the floods since early 2024. The Harvey Family Foundation and San Diego VOAD, which received $90,000 each, will use the funds to continue their vital work of housing restoration, property repairs, the provision of materials and appliances, and other essential items that continue to be needed by flood survivors.

Together, we're building brighter futures for San Diego families who need it most. 💙

United Way of San Diego County leverages the strength of our partners — schools, businesses, policymakers, nonprofits, and government — to scale our impact to urgently address deeply rooted disparities in education and economic mobility. Recently, UWSD’s President and CEO, Nancy L. Sasaki, joined members from UWCA and other United Way California chapters at the Capital building in Washington, D.C., to discuss solutions that help support our work.

The visit was packed with legislative meetings with California Congressional members Alex Padilla, Sara Jacobs, and Darrell Issa, who joined us in discussing economic and educational solutions that would expand federal support to children, individuals, and families. In addition, Nancy met with several dependents within the Department of Commerce who presented methods for public-private partnerships, especially with grant opportunities.

Discussions with the Congressional Senators were expansive to provide more assistance to working families. Topics included:
Advancing economic development through the Child Tax Credit
Supporting the HELP Act to fund 211 in every state/ county
Updating the federal poverty line to reflect the true cost of living
The importance of STEM career exploration programs for high school students

By uniting with partners, we can transform our community so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Follow along for more updates on our advocacy work!

When life-threatening flooding impacted San Diego County in January 2024, many families had
their lives upended as the floods destroyed their residences and displaced them from their
homes. The floods, which impacted Southeast San Diego particularly hard, displaced over 1,200
households and caused over $30 million in damage.

In response, United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E )
have partnered together to provide $180,000 in support to two nonprofit organizations helping
Southeast San Diego residents affected by this disaster rebuild their homes.

Harvey Family Foundation and the San Diego Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
each received $90,000 to assist with housing repairs, housing restoration, the provision of
materials and appliances, and more.
SDG&E and UWSD are dedicated to standing by community members, providing support
during these trying times, and ensuring the recovery process is as smooth as possible.

Through this partnership, we are helping to address some of our communities’ most pressing needs to ensure no San Diegans get left behind.

On July 18th, Dream with STEAM summer program participants from Escondido High School joined UWSD staff for a behind-the-scenes tour of local defense contractor, Cubic!

During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore the facilities, converse with a panel of young professionals to learn about the different career paths and enjoy a hands-on activity working with a mock circuit board for hands-on electrical engineering experience.

By partnering with local STEAM businesses like Cubic, we are exposing students in historically disinvested communities to high-paying, in-demand careers and encouraging them to explore careers that they didn’t previously know existed!

Thank you, Cubic, for hosting our students!

Follow along on social to keep up with our latest updates.

SDG&E is committed to providing all customers with accessible resources and services. Do you have a disability or use a medical device for health, safety or independence that requires electricity? Let SDG&E know at sdge.com/AFN-Survey.

Thank you to Enterprise Rent-A-Car for their continued support ensuring all children, family, and individuals have the necessary support to achieve educational success and financial security.

To celebrate their continued devotion through their workplace campaigns, we coordinated a beach clean-up at Ocean Beach for a group of Enterprise interns!

Curious to learn how you or your organization can get involved? Head to our link in bio to learn more about employee engagement opportunities!

A new report by Gallup shows that nearly 75% of employees currently feel disengaged at work, and another survey conducted by Atlassian found that workers are willing to quit their jobs if the company values do not align with their own.

Companies that have incorporated opportunities for employees to connect with their values and community have reported greater retention, shows a report by Harvard Business Review.

Is your organization looking to boost your employee engagement and give back?

United Way of San Diego County can help your organization craft opportunities that align with your corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

A comprehensive corporate social responsibility strategy can:

💥 Engage your employees in purposeful ways that allow them to give back while fostering your company culture.
💪 Empower your employees to give their time and talent to volunteer activities that improve our county.
🌟 Enhance your brand reputation while demonstrating your commitment to our local community.
🔎 Explore curated and tailor-made corporate social responsibility opportunities with the help of United Way of San Diego County.

Learn more at https://uwsd.org/get-involved/companies/csr-strategy/



Sources:

https://www.gallup.com/workplace/356063/gallup-q12-employee-engagement-survey.aspx

https://hbr.org/2021/10/how-companies-can-improve-employee-engagement-right-now

https://www.atlassian.com/blog/leadership/return-on-action-report-2021-employee-expectations

United Way of San Diego County is on a mission to build resilient communities and help every San Diegan achieve financial security. Through our economic mobility programs, we put more money back into the pockets of San Diegans countywide by providing free tax preparation assistance, personalized financial coaching, and access to essential banking resources.

✨ Our newest initiative, SparkPoint, supports low- to middle-income residents by setting personalized financial goals and creating action plans. SparkPoint coaches work one-on-one with clients to assist with budgeting, building credit, reducing debt, and more.

💡 As leaders of the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition, we help individuals and families file their taxes for free, saving on tax filing fees and helping them claim eligible tax credits.

🏦 Through the San Diego Bank On Coalition, we provide free and low-cost financial resources, ensuring access to essential banking services and empowering informed financial decisions.

United with our community partners, we're breaking down economic barriers and building pathways to financial security so all San Diegans can thrive. Follow us to see how we're transforming lives across San Diego County through our education and economic mobility initiatives! 🌟

SDG&E’s new My Energy Center is coming soon! You can view and pay your bill, sign up for Auto Pay or paperless billing, schedule services online and more.

Recently, our Dream with STEAM program participants from Lincoln High School visited the San Diego Gas & Electric Resilience Zone which helps students explore different careers and tasks managed by SDG&E through a simulated play experience. Additionally, students had an opportunity to connect with SDG&E professionals who shared insight from their career journeys and offered valuable tips to help them stand out when applying for jobs in the future. Program participants learned about the wide range of jobs available at SDG&E such as climate scientists, meteorologists, business administration, and financial planning.

As we wrap up the Lincoln High School Dream with STEAM summer program, we are excited to be ramping up our next cycle with students from Escondido High School! Follow along to see us help local students explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) careers across San Diego County.

Expand your network and meet other professionals through our Emerging Leaders affinity group! Emerging Leaders is a group of service-minded professionals looking to grow, network, and connect with other professionals living across San Diego County.

Through curated opportunities such as networking events, CEO spotlights, volunteer opportunities, behind-the-scenes tours, and more, members are offered the chance to enhance personal and professional connections, explore San Diego County, and build leadership skills.

Interested in starting your journey with Emerging Leaders? Head to the link below to learn more.

https://uwsd.org/get-involved/network/emerging-leaders/

A new report by Gallup shows that nearly 75% of employees currently feel disengaged at work, and another survey conducted by Atlassian found that workers are willing to quit their jobs if the company values do not align with their own.

Companies that have incorporated opportunities for employees to connect with their values and community have reported greater retention, shows a report by Harvard Business Review.

Is your organization looking to boost your employee engagement and give back?
United Way of San Diego County can help your organization craft opportunities that align with your corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

A comprehensive corporate social responsibility strategy can:

💥 Engage your employees in purposeful ways that allow them to give back while fostering your company culture.
💪 Empower your employees to give their time and talent to volunteer activities that improve our county.
🌟 Enhance your brand reputation while demonstrating your commitment to our local community.

Explore curated and tailor-made corporate social responsibility opportunities with the help of United Way of San Diego County.

Learn more at https://uwsd.org/get-involved/companies/csr-strategy/

Sources:
-----
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/356063/gallup-q12-employee-engagement-survey.aspx

https://hbr.org/2021/10/how-companies-can-improve-employee-engagement-right-now

https://www.atlassian.com/blog/leadership/return-on-action-report-2021-employee-expectations

As the sun’s rays intensify, so does our reliance on air conditioning Let’s explore ways to keep your home cool while trimming energy bills, plus other energy-saving tips. Save with Golden State rebates: Receive rebates toward the purchase of energy-efficient products like smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters and room air conditioners. Get details at sdge.com/rebates and for the product list, visit GoldenStateRebates.com

On June 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th , our Community Impact team attended the Parks After Dark Event hosted by the City Heights Library and Recreation Center to promote early childhood literacy through the distribution of books from our Read Across America Book Drive. Over the four days, our team distributed approximately 1,200 books to local children to help build literacy-rich environments outside of school.

Follow along on social for more updates on our early childhood literacy efforts!

A huge thank you to our friends at INDUS for contributing their time and incredible generosity last week! With the support of United Way of San Diego County and a generous donation from Dr. Bronner’s, INDUS assembled 300 hygiene kits filled with essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and more.

These hygiene kits will be donated to the Stand Down Event by Veterans Village of San Diego, which provides local veterans experiencing homelessness with resources to support their health and well-being post-service.

Thank you, INDUS, for being a key partner in building a stronger community!

A child’s ability to thrive in school often dictates their future educational pursuits and, in turn, economic success in life. At United Way of San Diego County, we build solutions that break down educational barriers, so that every child has access to opportunities that set them up for success in school and beyond. To bridge educational gaps across the region, we strategically focus on key areas such as early childhood literacy support and career readiness.

Our early childhood literacy work aims to nurture strong readers and empower children to reach their fullest potential and secure their dream careers. We work to enhance academic performance and foster a love of reading through exposure to language-rich activities, books and other print materials, writing tools, and multi-lingual supports.

Our commitment to creating equitable access to educational opportunities extends beyond childhood literacy. Through our STEAM-to-Careers high school program, we help expose students in historically disinvested communities to high-paying, in-demand careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The STEAM-to-Careers program, which provides hands-on programming, behind-the-scenes business tours, and skill-building workshops, was created in response to the growing need for STEAM talent in our region and to provide a realistic opportunity to earn a living wage in a region with one of the highest costs of living in the nation.

Follow along to hear how we are transforming lives across San Diego County through our economic mobility and education initiatives!

Our Dream with STEAM career exploration summer program is in full swing!

Recently, our program participants from Lincoln High School had the privilege of visiting the San Diego Safari Park for a behind-the-scenes tour of the animal hospital and enclosures. During their visit, students learned about the park’s process for identifying and treating sick animals and even visited the on-site laboratory and surgical suite!

The San Diego Safari Park is one of the many stops in our Dream with STEAM career exploration summer program, which aims to broaden local students' exposure to available career paths in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Thank you to our partner, Booz Allen, for supporting our efforts to expand career opportunities for local students!

Follow along for more updates this summer!

Help the environment with Power Saver Rewards. You can prevent power outages and benefit the environment by participating in SDG&E’s Power Saver Rewards Program. When you shift energy during grid emergencies, you can earn a bill credit. It’s voluntary, penalty-free and makes a difference. Learn more at sdge.com/PowerSaver.

Is your nonprofit in need of more volunteers? Let UWSD boost your impact! 📢

Our volunteer portal allows local San Diego County organizations to showcase opportunities, connecting them with enthusiastic volunteers eager to make a difference.

Interested in listing a volunteer activity? Email [email protected] check the link below:
https://uwsd.org/get-involved/volunteer/

We couldn't have achieved such a successful tax season without our incredible partners and volunteers! Last week, the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition celebrated the end of tax season by honoring our dedicated tax-prep volunteers, reflecting on our impact, and expressing our heartfelt thanks to our Coalition partners. By coming together, we help San Diegans reclaim more funds for essentials and create paths to financial security.

On Wednesday, June 26th, we held our Women United Annual Celebration, an evening filled with tasty bites, celebration, and community.

At the event, we honored Women United Fund’s scholarship winners and nonprofit grant recipient, Voices for Children. Every year, 10 San Diego County graduating seniors are granted awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 dollars.

Now in our third year, we are incredibly proud of the impact our funding members have made and grateful for the ongoing support in making a difference in our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening!

We are just a few weeks away from our annual Emerging Leaders celebration on Thursday, July 25th!

Join us for our Sky’s the Limit Travel-Themed Trivia Night sponsored by Alaska Airlines as we test your knowledge of destinations, landmarks, and cultures. Gather your fellow adventurers and prepare for a competition filled with fantastic facts and friendly rivalry.

📍 Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 25th
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Coastal Roots Farm, 441 Saxony Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024

We hope to see you there for an unforgettable evening of celebration and connection. Guests will enjoy complimentary beverages provided by Melograno cocktails, delicious bites, and parking!

https://online.uwsd.org/EL2024

Are you looking to expand your network? Consider joining one of UWSD’s affinity groups, Women United or Emerging Leaders, to develop personal and professional relationships, expand your skillsets, and explore San Diego County hotspots!

By joining a UWSD networking group, you’ll gain exclusive access to:

🤝 Volunteer and philanthropic opportunities

✨Fun events and behind-the-scenes tours of local companies

💭 The chance to connect with San Diego County business leaders

💼 Professional development workshops

Learn more on our website at uwsd.org/get-involved/network.

If you are behind on your energy bill, you may qualify for financial assistance. Learn more at sdge.com/assistance.

Show off your travel knowledge at our upcoming Emerging Leaders' event!

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at our annual Emerging Leaders celebration on Thursday, July 25th! Join us for Sky’s the Limit Trivia Night, proudly sponsored by Alaska Airlines, where you can showcase your travel expertise and compete for the title of ultimate globetrotter. ✈️🗺️

What to Expect:
Engaging Travel Trivia: Test your knowledge and challenge fellow travel enthusiasts. 🌏
Complimentary Refreshments: Enjoy delicious beverages and bites throughout the night. 🍷
Exciting Prizes: Stand a chance to win amazing rewards. 🎁

Event Details
Thursday, July 25th
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Coastal Roots Farm

Whether you come with a team or fly solo, this is a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and connect with like-minded individuals. Everyone is welcome with the purchase of a ticket. Be sure to RSVP today to secure your spot!

Don't miss out on this exciting evening. Join us and see if you have what it takes to be the ultimate trivia master!
https://online.uwsd.org/EL2024