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Community Impact Projects & Initiatives
Community Impact Institute
The
Community Impact Institute provides access
to high quality, low cost training opportunities
for the staff of human service agencies
in the region. In partnership with the Center for Youth
Development and the Greater Philadelphia
Mentoring Project the institute provides opportunities for
staff to develop their skills in delivering
quality after-school and mentoring programs. Technology
courses in a wide variety of topics are
offered in partnership with Teaming for Technology. The
institute works with other local provider,
such as Community Accountants and the Nonprofit Center,
to offer opportunities for agencies to
develop their organizational capacity in areas such as
finance, fundraising, and human resources.
During the last year over 1300 individuals participated
in over 400 training classes through
the Community Impact Institute.
Hispanic Leadership Development Program
The Hispanic Leadership Development Program provides
leadership training and support for Latino/Hispanic
human service professionals in key areas such as strategic planning,
fundraising, and team building. HLDP began as a response to an increasing
Hispanic population and the need to train Hispanic
individuals to fill leadership positions in
our community’s boardrooms and policy-making
groups. Since 1993, more than 100 participants
have graduated from the program and many have
become active as community leaders. Participants receive continuing education
credits (CEU) and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management
through The Nonprofit Center of La Salle University
Gifts in Kind
Through its relationship with Gifts in Kind
International, United Way provides 200 human
services agencies in the region with access
to products they need. Donations of office products,
baby clothes and household products are made
available for agencies, on a low-cost or no-cost
basis, either to support their work or to distribute
to their clients. United Way also facilitates
exclusive relationships between local agencies
and national retail outlets such as Disney,
Talbots, and Office Depot. In 2003 a total value
of close to 2 million dollars worth of donated
merchandise was distributed to agencies throughout
the region.
The Gifts in Kind program is accepting new
members for the 2007 calendar year.
Teaming for Technology
Teaming
for Technology (T4T) is collaboration between
United Way and IBM to help small and mid-sized
agencies build their technological capacity. Working
with VISTA volunteers and United Way staff, T4T
helps over 60 agencies develop strategic technology
plans, gain access to hardware donations, select
software, and train their staff. Agencies that
cannot afford a full-time technician can contact
with T4T for part-time assistance and services
such as network maintenance, web site construction,
or database development.
Coming of Age Initiative
The Coming of Age Initiative is working to redefine retirement to include new and engaging volunteer challenges that make retirees feel vital, connected, and valued. Today there are approximately 33 million people over 65 and with the aging of “baby-boomers” there will be over 70 million in this group by 2030. The Coming of Age Initiative is a partnership between United Way, Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning, WHYY, AARP, and the Delaware Valley Grantmakers.
Martin Luther King Day of Service
Each year, Philadelphia-area citizens of all backgrounds and ages answer the call for community action by volunteering in service projects throughout
the region as part of the Greater Philadelphia MLK Day of Service. Last year, in the Philadelphia
region, more than 40,000 people volunteered
in 600 service projects to honor Dr. King.
Philadelphia's Promise
Philadelphia’s Promise for Youth focuses on caring
adults, safe places, healthy start and future,
marketable skills, and opportunities to serve.
Philadelphia’s Promise is a coalition of
25 youth-serving organizations including: the
Free Library of Philadelphia, School District,
Corporation for National & Community Service,
and City Year, among others.
Speakers Bureau
The
Speakers Bureau matches volunteers from United
Way organizations with corporate campaign events
to promote Community Impact Plan and raise funds
for the Community Impact plan.
Nearly 120 nonprofit organizations work
with 100 corporations through the Speakers Bureau.
Young Leaders Program
The
Young Leaders Program is designed to train young
professionals for successful board service.
Participants include individuals under
40 years of age who donate $1000+ yearly to United
Way to qualify.
After a 4-session training, UWSEPA matched
graduates with boards of non-profit agencies,
the business community, and government.
Volunteers become the pool of experienced,
engaged civic leaders who ultimately create, guide,
and sustain effective human services organizations.
Through community service, our citizens
provide leadership in the community and with government
for innovative solutions to address the needs
of their neighbors.
Approximately three dozen young leaders
graduate a year.
VolunteerWay.org
VolunteerWay.org is an on-line interactive
resource that allows volunteers to find interesting
and meaningful volunteer activities. Non-profit
agencies/organizations can register their agency
background information and post their volunteer
opportunities to recruit volunteers. Over 1,100
volunteer opportunities are listed. Visit www.volunteerway.org
to find a volunteer opportunity or to register
your non-profit organization.
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