2010 News & Events

Release: California 211 Service in Jeopardy Unless Congress Acts U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo Urges Congressional Vote on Calling for 211 Act
July 7: U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo and United Ways of California gathered business and community leaders at a rally today to urge Congress to approve the Calling for 211 Act (H.R.211/S.211), which will expand the 211 information and referral service to all Americans. The bill will support expansion of 211 to the entire state of California, where service is now available in 26 of 58 counties. Read More Take Action

United Way to Invest $2,340,000 to Fund 44 Programs that Improve the Lives of Local People

June 28: United Way Silicon Valley's volunteer Board of Directors approved the investment of $2,340,000 to fund 44 programs managed by United Way and local nonprofit agencies that address the organization's focus areas: building adult living skills, developing children and youth, and supporting basic human needs. Learn More...

Release: 400+ Corporate Volunteers Join Day of Action to Help Young Children Succeed in School

June 17: More than 400 corporate volunteers joined United Way Silicon Valley today for its third annual Day of Action, which gives local companies and their employees the opportunity to Live United by taking action in the community through volunteering. Volunteers spent the day helping young children with fun learning activities and making physical improvements like building obstacle courses and refurbishing buildings and play areas. Details...

Release: United Way Announces Two New Members

June 15: United Way Silicon Valley has elected Ray Solnik of Buena Vista Business Services LLC and Pam Schramm of American Express Business Travel to its volunteer Board of Directors. Solnik is president of Buena Vista, where he consults and provides business management services to technology and services companies on growing new businesses. Schramm has been senior manager, Business Development, for American Express Business Travel for Northern California since 2008. Additional Background...

Invitation: Dine Out for United Way Silicon Valley

On Thursday, June 24, giving won't just feel good, it'll taste good too! California Pizza Kitchen (Westfield Valley Fair only) will donate 20% of each diner’s check will go to United Way Silicon Valley’s "Community Action Fund". Special applies to catering and takeout. Must download flyer and give to server for donation to apply.

Release: Bank of America, Applied Materials, and IBM Among Corporate Giants Honored by United Way Silicon Valley for Philanthropy

May 25: United Way Silicon Valley honored local companies and their employees for their commitment to philanthropy at its Annual Campaign Appreciation Event today at the Hotel Valencia in San Jose. Bank of America earned top honors, winning the Spirit of the Valley Award for its increase in contributions and involvement with United Way Silicon Valley. Award Details...

Mercury News Online: United Way Silicon Valley joins local Red Cross to keep disaster relief program alive

April 15: United Way Silicon Valley and the American Red Cross Silicon Valley have joined forces to strengthen local disaster response efforts among community-based organizations in Santa Clara County. The move came about after CADRE (Collaborating Agencies' Disaster Relief Effort) was in danger of disappearing. CADRE is a network of nearly 300 area nonprofit organizations and community service providers that work together to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Read Full Story...

Release: United Way and Red Cross Join Forces to Save Program Coordinating Local Nonprofits' Disaster Preparedness Efforts

March 30: The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have made it painfully clear that every segment of our community must be prepared for the next disaster. Here in Santa Clara County, where we live with the constant threat of earthquakes and fires, it's not a question of if, but when the next disaster will strike. That's why it's significant that United Way Silicon Valley and the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter have joined forces to strengthen local disaster-response efforts among community-based organizations in Santa Clara County. Read More...

Release: United Way Silicon Valley's Inaugural Breakfast in Morgan Hill Focuses on South County Programs that are Improving Lives

Feb 25: United Way Silicon Valley held an Inaugural Breakfast in Morgan Hill today to talk about programs and services that are improving the lives of people who live in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Read Full Release

Release: 2-1-1 Santa Clara County Serves as a Critical Resource During Hard Times in its Third Year of Operation

Feb 11: As the economy takes its toll on local families and individuals, United Way Silicon Valley's 2-1-1 Santa Clara County is a critical resource for basic needs, employment services, and other key programs. In its third year of operation, the number of people using the information and referral service increased significantly, with a 71% jump in calls specifically for income support or employment assistance.
Read Full Release

Release: Head of Business Marketing for Apple Elected United Way Silicon Valley Board Chair

Feb 4: Susan Prescott, head of Business Marketing for Apple Inc., was recently named chair of United Way Silicon Valley's volunteer Board of Directors. She was elected to lead the organization along with Vice Chair Gregory T. Davidson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Secretary Ed Ng of IBM; and Treasurer Steve M. Smith of Wells Fargo Bank. Read More...

Mercury News - Sal Pizarro's Column: BIG DONORS: Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is taking home the coveted Big Four Challenge Cup for its generous giving to United Way Silicon Valley. The annual contest among employees at the four largest accounting firms - Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers - brought in nearly $1.1 million during the local United Way's 2009-10 campaign. Since the competition started in 2004, the companies have raised more than $4.9 million.

Release: Big Four Accounting Firms Raise More than $1 Million for United Way Silicon Valley
Jan. 26: Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers won the coveted Big Four Challenge Cup for its efforts to improve local lives by giving generously to United Way Silicon Valley. Even in this tough economy, employees at the four big accounting firms Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers collectively raised $1,099,816 through United Way Silicon Valley's 2009 - 2010 annual giving campaign. Read More...

2009 News & Events

Release: United Way Silicon Valley Announces "Impact 2.0" Comprehensive Strategy To Address Most Pressing Community Needs
Dec 15: United Way Silicon Valley announced the launch of Impact 2.0, its five-tiered comprehensive strategy designed to provide a framework for changing the most critical community conditions that cause people to need help in the first place. The expanded strategy, which has evolved from the organization's 2006 Community Impact business model, includes five key tactics: Advocacy, United Way Programs, Strategic Grants, Partnerships & Collaborations, and Volunteer Engagement. Read More...

Release: United Way Report Reveals Four Full-Time, Minimum-Wage Jobs Needed For Santa Clara County Families To Be Self-Sufficient

Dec 8: United Way's report, "Struggling to Make Ends Meet," released today, reveals that Santa Clara County families require four full-time, minimum wage jobs -- compared to three in other Bay Area counties -- to pay for basic necessities, when measured by the California Self-Sufficiency Standard. Read More Bay Area Report California Report
Santa Clara County Report

Letter to the Editor: United Way Offers Help with Banking

Dec 7: Your article on the rising number of "unbanked" (Dec. 3) sheds light on an important issue here in San Jose, where an estimated 75,000 households are unbanked. Read Letter

Release: IBM Donates Nearly $155,000 to United Way Silicon Valley

Nov 6: IBM recently donated nearly $155,000 to United Way for programs including $40,000 in funding and 12 laptops for 2-1-1 Santa Clara County information and referral service and website. The multi-faceted IBM donation also includes... More Details

Release: Ropes & Gray Wins Inaugural Law United Challenge

Sept. 1: United Way Silicon Valley honored the East Palo Alto office of Ropes & Gray LLP and its employees today for their efforts to improve local lives by giving generously to United Way's Community Action Fund and volunteering to help those in need. 2009-2010 Challenge Goal

Mercury News Editorial: To really help, Applied's gift must inspire others to follow
July 27: It's hard to believe that in Silicon Valley, people who just a year ago were donating to charities are now lining up outside agency doors for bags of groceries or help with the rent. As unemployment soars near 12 percent, the recession increasingly grips families who never thought they'd be anything but self-sufficient. Read More..

San Jose Business Journal: $1.5M gift to United Way helps offset deep cuts to nonprofits

July 24: Economic conditions are tough, but Applied Materials Foundation and the Packard Foundation are about to make things better for a number of Silicon Valley nonprofits with a combined $1.5 million contribution to United Way. Entire Story...

Press Release: $1.5 Million in Grants to Boost Nonprofit Sector During Tough Economy; United Way Silicon Valley Receives $1 Million from Applied Materials Foundation to Help Meet Rising Demand for Safety-Net Services
July 21: United Way Silicon Valley, the Applied Materials Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation announced today the infusion of more than $1.5 million into the local nonprofit sector to increase safety-net services in Santa Clara County and strengthen the sector’s ability to effectively deliver services. Read Entire Release... Fact Sheet.. .

Mercury News "On The Town:" Annual Campaign Appreciation Event - July 5, 2009 View Photos.. .

Press Release: PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, Microsoft and Intel Among Corporate Giants Honored by United Way Silicon Valley for Philanthropy

June 12: United Way Silicon Valley recently honored local companies and their employees for their commitment to philanthropy at its Annual Campaign Appreciation Event at the Decathlon Club. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP earned top honors winning the Spirit of the Valley Award for its increase in contributions and volunteer activities.

Read Entire Release

Press Release: Step Up Silicon Valley Launches Campaign to Cut Poverty

April 20: Step Up Silicon Valley officially launched its Campaign to Cut Poverty today at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda, releasing its action plan with key strategies for cutting the poverty rate in half in Santa Clara County by 2020. Read More...

San Jose Mercury News: Silicon Valley agencies unite to cut poverty by 2020
April 20: Read Full Story

Press Release: Corporations Converge On Silicon Valley For Global Philanthropy Forum

Feb 25: More than 30 global corporations convened at the world headquarters of Agilent Technologies, Inc. in Santa Clara in partnership with United Way for the "Strategic Global Philanthropy: Challenges & Opportunities" forum, a best practice gathering of Chief Corporate Giving Officers. Read More...

2008 News & Events

San Jose Mercury News: Los Gatos mom pledges $100,000 to help Silicon Valley families in crisis
Dec 23 - Read Feature Story

Comcast Newsmakers Interview: UWSV President and CEO Carole Leigh Hutton

Dec 23: This recession is causing a spike in the number of families needing assistance right now. There are still a lot of people here in Silicon Valley with the means to give, and this is the time for them to do it. The community needs help now. Watch Interview

San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Homeless deaths are shocking – or should be
Dec. 19: All of us can act now to prevent more men, women and children from becoming homeless. Many families live on the edge, with low incomes. A little help can keep them in their homes. This kind of prevention is the aim of the Emergency Assistance Network set up by United Way this fall - and each gift will be matched through a challenge grant of $100,000 from Jennifer Krach of Los Gatos. http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_11267431

San Jose MetBlogs.com: Bank on San Jose
Dec. 19: Bank on San Jose is part of the Bank on California initiative launched by Governor Schwarzenegger, which brings more working class families into mainstream financial markets by encouraging the opening of special low-cost, starter bank accounts. Read Blog

Press Release: United Way Silicon Valley CEO Joins Governor Schwarzenegger to Announce Bank on San Jose
Dec 12: United Way Silicon Valley President and CEO Carole Leigh Hutton joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today at the Capitol Rotunda to announce Bank on San Jose, one of five cities participating in a first-ever statewide initiative called Bank on California to encourage the “unbanked” to open bank accounts and take advantage of financial services offered by mainstream financial institutions.
Read More...     Read San Jose Mayor's Statement...

Mercury News: Letter to the Editor - Protect the health of California's kids
Dec 11: The editorial on Sen. Darrell Steinberg's goal to provide all California children with health insurance (Editorial, Dec. 8) was right on point. Steinberg should be commended for making children's health care a top priority. Doing so will improve the health of 800,000 uninsured California children while helping state finances.
Read Entire Letter     Read Editorial

Press Release: Jennifer Krach Offers $100,000 Challenge
Dec 10: Los Gatos Resident Jennifer Krach stepped forward to offer a $100,000 Challenge supporting United Way Silicon Valley's Emergency Assistance Network. She will match contributions dollar-for-dollar to help prevent homelessness during these tough economic times. "I can't imagine lying in bed at night wondering how I will feed my kids or tell them we have to move and I'm not sure where to, but they will have to leave their school," said Krach. Read more...

KLIV 1590 Special Report: The Economy in Silicon Valley

Dec 1: Carole Leigh Hutton highlights the "new face" of people in need and discussed various ways people others in the community.

Listen Now

ABC 7: Struggling to make it in Silicon Valley
Nov 28: In Santa Clara County, 25 percent of families do not meet the self-sufficiency standard, United Way of Silicon Valley CEO Carole Leigh Hutton said. "That jumps to 40 percent if you just look at single head of households, 40 percent of female heads of households don't make ends meet," Hutton said. Watch Video or Read Transcript

Cupertino Courier: United Way Names New 2-1-1 Director
Nov 26 - News Brief

KBAY 94.5: United Way is Digging Deep with Open Arms

Nov 24: Carole Leigh Hutton discusses Open Arms campaign.

Listen Now

San Jose MetBlogs.com: The True Meaning of the Season
Nov 24: To raise awareness that charities need your help, the Silicon Valley Open Arms Coalition was created by local funders and nonprofits. The website gives several ways for people to contribute this holiday season, depending on which organization they'd like to support. Some of the nonprofits involved are First 5, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sobrato Family Foundation, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, and The Health Trust. Read More

KBAY 94.5: What is Destination Home

Nov 24: Destination Home overview and United Way Silicon Valley's involvement. Listen Now

KLIV 1590: The CEO Show

Nov 21: Carole Leigh Hutton, United Way Silicon Valley CEO and Dick Levy, Board Chair of Varian Medical Systems and United Way are interviewed by Carl Guardino of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Listen Now

San Jose Mercury News: Silicon Valley charity coalition makes donating simpler than before

Nov 18: If you've ever thought about giving to good causes, now is the time, says a coalition of Silicon Valley charities and food banks. The economy is bad and people are hurting but there should still be enough people to help this valley get through, they said. "We're all in this together, and let's give what we can," said Carole Leigh Hutton, president and chief executive of United Way Silicon Valley. "Most people are still doing fine and we need to be giving strength to our community." Read More..

San Jose Mercury News Editorial: In bad times, charities need more support

Nov 17: When times are bad and communities have less, they need to contribute more to the charities that weave the safety net no longer maintained by government. It's not just that more individuals and families need help, although that's certainly true as thousands face layoffs this winter. If help isn't there for people teetering on the brink, the social and financial cost of rescuing them later is enormously higher. And at some point it becomes impossible to fully recover. Read More...

Press Release: Silicon Valley Open Arms Campaign Launched

Nov 13: A coalition of funders and nonprofit service providers, lead by United Way Silicon Valley, launched the Silicon Valley Open Arms campaign today in response to the deepening economic crisis facing our country. The campaign encourages community members to come together and open their arms by giving to those in need. Get Involved...Lead More

Press Release: Two New Board Members Announced

Nov 3: Anna Chambers, a senior vice-president and market manager for the Real Estate Group of Bank of America and Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, executive director of West Valley Community Services, have joined United Way Silicon Valley's Board of Directors. Read more...

Press Release: Vote "YES" on Measure A for Valley Medical Center

Sept 25: The Board of Directors of United Way Silicon Valley unanimously endorses a "Yes" vote on the Nov. 4 ballot proposal to fund seismic retrofitting at our community's only Level One Trauma Center. Read More

Press Release: Philanthropist of the Year and Other Awards Announced at 4th Annual Community Breakfast
Sept 10: United Way Silicon Valley honored the Sobrato Family Foundation with its Philanthropist of the Year award today at its 4th Annual Community Breakfast, where California State Secretary of Service and Volunteering Karen Baker urged people to get more involved in their community. Kaiser Permanente won the Community Builder Award and the Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) earned the Partner Excellence Award. Read More...

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