make a difference for those in need · the importance of staying in school. you can make a...

Make a difference

A toolkit for volunteers.

for those in need

Your eMploYees want to Make a difference The right volunteer endeavor

can have far reaching benefits

for you, your employees, your

business and our community.

It can help improve morale,

provide enriching experiences

and drive a deeper connection

and loyalty to your company.

And when you and your

employees invest time, you

make our shared community a

better place to live for all of us.

Consider engaging your

group in a way that will

make a lasting difference

throughout our community.

united waY’s Good neiGhbor center is Your resource for Volunteer enGaGeMent.

United Way of

Southwestern

Pennsylvania works

with companies to link

individuals and employee

groups with meaningful

volunteer opportunities

that connect those in

need with those who

can help. And we offer

volunteer opportunities

that fit your schedule

— short-term, ongoing

relationship-based and

corporate opportunities.

To find a volunteer

opportunity that will

make a difference, United

Way’s Good Neighbor

Center is the place to

begin.

For more information, contact Wendy McCabe

Koch at [email protected] or call

412.261.6010.

Open YOur Heart tO a SeniOrWho it Helps: Seniors

length of Commitment: Flexible

How employees Are involved: Individually

What is the time Commitment: Long-term, Short-term, One-off

Be a Middle SCHOOl MentOrWho it Helps: Children

length of Commitment: 8 months

How employees Are involved: Individually or as a Group

What is the type of engagement: Relationship-based

What is the time Commitment: Longer-term commitment

adOpt-a-SCHOOlWho it Helps: Children

length of Commitment: Up to 3 years

How employees Are involved: As A Group

What is the time Commitment: Longer-term commitment

Build-a-BiKeWho it Helps: Children

length of Commitment: 4 hours

How employees Are involved: As a Group

What is the time Commitment: Short-term

WAnt to lend A HAnd but Aren’t sure WHere to begin?Whether you’re the head of Corporate Responsibility for a Fortune 500 or just want to make a difference in your spare time, this chart can match you with a volunteer opportunity for a cause you care about.

who do You want to help?

COMMunitY parK iMprOveMentSWho it Helps: Children, Financially Struggling Families

length of Commitment: 4 hours



daYS OF CaringWho it Helps: Children, Financially Struggling Families, Seniors, Veterans, Women

length of Commitment: 2-8 hours

How employees Are involved: As a Group


vOlunteer Free tax prep

Who it Helps: Financially Struggling Families, Veterans, Women

length of Commitment: 4 months



CHildren FinanCiallY Struggling SeniOrS veteranS WOMen

FaMilieS

N

N

N

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

Long-Term

Individual or Group

Children phone screening: 15 minutes

Face-to-Face interview: 1 hour (at your convenience)

training session/ onboarding:

3 hours

Time Commitment: October-May/1 hour

per week

United for Children

Middle school is a critical time for youth. Many need help to stay on the right path. You can be the difference for a child who needs guidance. Help a local student build character skills, develop career aspirations and learn the importance of staying in school. You can make a measurable difference for a local student by inspiring them to have hope for the future.

Volunteer mentors are matched with middle school students and commit to meeting for one hour a week during the school year, providing guidance that can transform the future of a student in need. Volunteer as an individual or coordinate a team of employees at a specific school. There are multiple school locations and times that make it convenient for you.

Be A Middle School MentorInspIre yOur eMpLOyees TO be an InspIraTIOn

TO OThers.

FOr MOre InFOrMaTIOn, COnTaCT DaMOn beThea, MenTOrInG prOjeCT

DIreCTOr, unITeD Way OF sOuThWesTern pennsyLvanIa aT DaMOn.

[email protected] Or CaLL 412.456.6770. yOu Can vIsIT

WWW.uWsWpa.OrG/be-a-MIDDLe-sChOOL-MenTOr TO Learn MOre.

AMBer’nAy

to get StArted

“The perception is that these children are at-risk.

The reality is that they are at-promise. They just need

someone to help them realize their promise.”

— Arita Gilliam, UPMC/Be A Middle School Mentor

“I want to be able to succeed and then come back

and help, like my mentor helped me.”

— Amber’Nay, Be A Middle School Mentor Participant

participated in different activities during middle school at Pittsburgh Allegheny Traditional Academy. Her favorite was the mentoring program, where she was matched with Arita for three years. “I’m actually really shy,” she says. “I was nervous at first, but Miss Arita was so friendly, she opened up that side of me.”

Amber’Nay learned the value of school, and was inspired to dream big. She looks forward to digging for dinosaurs after she obtains a Ph.D. in Vertebrate Paleontology. She also wants to follow Arita’s example.

“Miss Arita is a role model for me. She didn’t have to be there, but she was. It was a big boost. The mentoring program was one of the best things I ever did.” The time she spent with Arita made a big difference to Amber’Nay who has made it through the middle school years and is looking forward to her future.

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

short Term Individual or Group

Financially struggling Families, Women, veterans

Background Check: 15 minutes

training: Online and classroom

(two 8 hour days)

irs Certification testing: 2-4 hours

time Commitment: 3+ hours per week during tax season. evenings and

weekends available (12 weeks Mid jan-Mid april)

Helping Financially Struggling Families

Continuing education Credits available for professional Cpa’s, paid preparers and attorneys.

Many hardworking, low-income families are struggling to make ends meet. For these families, every dollar they get back in earned income tax credits can make a critical difference. Last year, volunteer tax preparers helped prepare nearly 10,000 returns, returning over $15 million in refunds — helping these families put food on the table, pay rent, keep the heat on and pay for other basic needs.

Volunteers receive free training to become IRS certified. Training can take place online

and in a classroom setting and the duration is dependent upon your experience level. Once volunteers pass the IRS certification test they can choose from a variety of sites and times — based on their schedule — and will be connected with qualifying families in need.

In just a few hours a week during tax season, you can change lives, improve the financial health of our community and learn a new skill.

Volunteer Free tAx PrePArAtionheLp harDWOrkInG FaMILIes keep MOre

OF WhaT They earn.

to get StArted

vOLunTeer as an InDIvIDuaL Or as an eMpLOyee GrOup. FOr MOre

InFOrMaTIOn, COnTaCT kIanDra FOsTer, prOGraM ManaGer vOLunTeer

Free Tax preparaTIOn, unITeD Way OF sOuThWesTern pennsyLvanIa aT

[email protected] Or CaLL 412.456.6844. yOu Can

aLsO vIsIT WWW.sWpaFreeTaxes.OrG TO Learn MOre.

ngun

“I have come to really appreciate how low-income

people in our area live, how they manage to make

it work. It is pretty humbling to see that.”

— Rick Shaw, Volunteer Tax Preparer

“We had almost nothing when we arrived in this

country. We have two small children and live a very

simple life. Our refund helped us afford some new

things for the children and we were able to put some

of the money aside so we can buy a home someday.

This means a lot to us.”

— Ngun, Volunteer Free Tax Prep Recipient

fled persecution and terror in her native Burma. After running and hiding for years as fugitives in constant fear of being caught, Ngun and her husband finally resettled in Pittsburgh. They had almost nothing when they arrived, and they’ve worked hard to build a new life.

Some things about their adopted homeland are still hard to understand, like the intricacies of the tax system. So the free income tax preparation site that United Way supports has been a big help. Ngun and her husband were thrilled to learn that they were entitled to a refund on their modest earnings. They didn’t know they could get money back.

Ngun now volunteers as a translator at the site, which is a hub for the refugee community. She appreciates the many hours that tax preparation volunteers from all walks of life contribute to help working families like hers, and she wants to help too. “I want to help everyone in my community to have their dreams,” she says.

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

short or Long Term

Individual

seniors

Family Caregivers

phone screening: 15 minutes

Background Check: 30 minutes

Face to Face interview/orientation:

1 hour (at your convenience)

time Commitment: Flexible depending

on schedule

United for Seniors

For seniors, remaining independent in their own homes is often the best way to remain healthy and happy. Thousands of older adults in our community are striving to live independently, but may need a little extra help to do so. Thanks to a network of caring community volunteers, they can.

Open Your Heart To A Senior recruits, trains and matches volunteers of all ages to help seniors in our community. These volunteers provide local seniors with companionship, meals, rides to medical

appointments and more. Their help enables seniors to remain independent, manage their own health, live safely and avoid isolation. And volunteers not only impact the lives of seniors, but also give family caregivers — who are struggling to manage work, life and other commitments — much needed support.

Volunteers have the flexibility to choose opportunities that work with their schedule, giving them an easy way to make a meaningful difference to a senior in need.

oPen your heArt to A Seniorshare yOur vaLuabLe TIMe.

have an InvaLuabLe experIenCe.

FOr MOre InFOrMaTIOn, COnTaCT Laura hahn, prOjeCT

ManaGer FOr senIOrs, unITeD Way OF sOuThWesTern

pennsyLvanIa aT [email protected]

Or vIsIT WWW.uWsWpa.OrG/Open-yOur-hearT-TO-a-senIOr

TO Learn MOre Or sIGn up.

MS. AnnA And Brittny

to get StArted

“Her visits mean so much to me. I look forward to

them every week.”

— Ms. Anna, OYHS Participant

“If you have the time and you’re able to, for two to

three hours a week, you can make a big difference in

someone’s life.”

— Brittny McGraw, OYHS Volunteer

Brittny McGraw began her search to find a meaningful, flexible volunteer opportunity. She found United Way’s Open Your Heart To A Senior. “I thought it would be something I’d be interested in doing,” she said. “After going through the orientation, I realized there really aren’t very many barriers to this.”

When she started, Brittny helped seniors residing in the North Hills run errands, such as getting to and from the doctor’s office or picking up prescriptions. Soon after, she found a request from a local older woman for a weekly grocery shopper. That’s how Brittny met Ms. Anna, and the two have been inseparable ever since, creating a strong friendship and a bond. Brittny picks up Ms. Anna once a week, and the two head out to the grocery store, where Ms. Anna gets all of her favorite magazines, and Brittny helps Ms. Anna stay on budget.

On weeks Ms. Anna doesn’t need groceries, Brittny still enjoys stopping by to spend a little time with Ms. Anna and make sure she has her weekly magazines and puzzles.

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

Long Term Corporate sponsorship

Children Financial Commitment: $10,000

meeting with uW staff: 1 hour

Kickoff meeting: 1 hour

year-end meeting: 1 hour

time Commitment: Flexible depending

on schedule

minimum of 4 activities per year

United for Children

Over the past few years the Adopt-a-School program has had a positive impact on more than 2,000 students. Participating companies have sent hundreds of volunteers to remake learning sites, speak with kids about careers and work directly with students through mentorship and one-on-one activities that inspire students to learn. And when children are inspired, the possibilities are endless.

Your company can “Adopt-a-School” and immediately connect to help children learn and grow, creating lasting impact for the community and a meaningful volunteer experience for your employees.

For a financial commitment of $10,000, your company can Adopt-a-School in need and work with United Way to develop a customized program that will benefit the students, while providing hands-on volunteer opportunities for employees. They will see — firsthand — the impact they are having on young people. Companies who Adopt-a-School can sponsor learning activities that align with the skills of their business and employees, or select from a list of activities that can make an impact based on specific needs of the school.

AdoPt-A-School InvesT In The FuTure OF Our COMMunITy.

One sChOOL aT a TIMe.

FOr MOre InFOrMaTIOn, COnTaCT WenDy MCCabe kOCh,

aT [email protected] Or CaLL 412.261.6010.

coVeStro

to get StArted

“Adopt-a-School has been a unique opportunity

to connect our employees with the local community.

The Covestro volunteers have had the opportunity

to really get to know the kids and they love it!

Building these relationship has been so great for

the students, teachers and our employees.”

— Rebecca Lucore, Chief of Staff & Head of

Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility,

Americas, Covestro LLC/Adopt-a-School Volunteer

has been involved with United Way’s Adopt-a-School program from the very beginning, adopting Sto-Rox Elementary School nearly two and a half years ago.

Through the program, more than 75 Covestro employees spend time with Sto-Rox Elementary students. Since Covestro has a STEM focus, volunteers work with teachers to bring exciting science experiments into the classroom on a regular basis. Company volunteers have also organized school supply drives, given the school’s library a make-over, helped students’ parents with career development and more.

Rebecca Lucore says, “It’s a great way to get involved with the community. Look at some volunteer work you might already be doing and see if you might be able to take that into a school — it could make all the difference.”

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

short Term Group

Children Financial Commitment: $1,000 per team

Identify a lead contact in your company

set up and manage internal team registration

report participation to united Way staff

United for Children

United Way’s annual Build-A-Bike volunteer event is a great opportunity for corporations and volunteer groups to reinforce healthy habits for disadvantaged children in a fun and supportive environment. Corporate teams come together on a single day of action to make a real difference for children in our community.

WITH A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OF $1,000, corporate teams of up to five volunteers work with children in underserved communities to

build a bike that the child takes home at the end of the day. For many of these children, this is the first bike they have ever owned. The kids learn about the importance of teamwork, physical activity, safety and healthy lifestyles from caring adult volunteers.

Build-A-BiKeenGaGeD eMpLOyees. COnneCTeD COMMunITy.

MeanInGFuL IMpaCT.



to get StArted

northWeStern MutuAl

“It’s a very rewarding experience to be able to think

outside of your business environment, understand

how your dollars are being spent and how you’re

helping other people to change the course of their

lives”

— Lori Schoonmaker, Senior Vice President, National

Markets, Highmark/Build A Bike Volunteer

Kelly Gallagher and her colleagues at Northwestern Mutual, including her father Edward Gallagher, were looking for a team-building volunteer activity to do together. Edward, a United Way supporter who is passionate about helping local children and youth, learned about the organization’s annual Build-A-Bike event and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for his team to give back in a meaningful way.

“Putting the bike together was easy, and it was a great experience,” Kelly explained. “The kids got to be hands-on and actually build their very own bike. I think that gave them a sense of pride.”

Toward the end of the event, participating kids took their new bikes for a spin through an obstacle course set up at Heinz Field. Kelly and her team described this as one of their favorite parts of the day.

“A lot of the kids do not come from the best neighborhoods. This just meant the world to them. Just seeing their faces light up was the best part,” Kelly remarked.

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

short Term Individual or Group

Children, Financial struggling Families

Identify a lead contact

set up and manage internal registration

report participation numbers to uW


Thousands of children and families depend on our community parks for exercise and recreation, but many lack funding to maintain a safe place for families to enjoy the outdoors. Community Park clean up builds teamwork, brings people closer together and makes our neighborhoods and our communities a better place to live.

Each year, United Way works closely with neighborhoods in need to identify locations

that could use a make-over. Volunteer groups from corporations and individuals work side by side with people in the neighborhood to create a safe, fun place for everyone to enjoy. In just a few hours, you will see firsthand the difference you can make and have a great time doing it.

coMMunity PArK iMProVeMentSenGaGeD eMpLOyees. COnneCTeD COMMunITy.

MeanInGFuL IMpaCT.



to get StArted

“In just a few hours we overhauled the entire

park. It was so rewarding to know that in

the end, families would be able to enjoy the

summer and have a safe place to play.”

— Stephanie Garbe, Program Manager,

Community Affairs PNC/Day of

Action Volunteer

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements


short Term

Group

Children, Financially struggling Families, veterans, Women

Work with uW staff to develop program:

1 hour

Identify a lead contact

set up and manage internal registration

report participation numbers to uW

Financial requirement may apply

Let us help you develop a meaningful experience for your specific organization. Group and corporate volunteer projects can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your team — size, schedule and interest. Our Good Neighbor Center will:

• Work with you to determine what your volunteer project needs and goals are

• Determine what types of volunteer projects are needed at local non-profits

• Assist in implementing your project, start to finish

• Plan a volunteering program that will be a great team-building activity, improve morale and help meet an important need in our community

dAyS oF cAringLeT yOur eMpLOyees shIne. anD WaTCh The

COMMunITy LIGhT up.



to get StArted

“This year nearly 170 of our employees participated

in PPG’s Day of Caring. It was a great feeling to

know that we were able to have an impact on more

than 30,000 people in our community. Employees

participated in community service projects across

10 non-profit sites that work with children, Veterans,

seniors and families in crisis. The experience was so

meaningful to everyone who participated.”

— Leah Hemminger, Supervisor of Transportation,

PPG/Day Of Caring Volunteer

BeloW are just a FeW examples oF the Volunteer opportunities that Can Be deVeloped speCiFiCally For you and your employees:

united WAy’S 100,000 BooK cAMPAignHelp increase reading skills in children to prepare them for school so they can achieve academic success. Participate in read along volunteer events, organize a book drive or recruit a team of volunteers to create literacy kits that encourage kids to read and learn.

Food And SuPPly driVeSProviding for the basic needs of vulnerable members of our community is one of the most significant ways you can make an immediate difference for someone in need. Host or volunteer for a food, supply or product drive to collect the essentials for those who are living without them.

cAreer WorKShoPSCareer Workshops help vulnerable individuals, women, people with disabilities and veterans and their families develop the skills they need to find meaningful employment. Host or volunteer at a workshop to provide guidance, and training in career decision-making, resume development, navigating job searching technology, networking and interview skills.

Volunteer type

populations serVed

requirements

Long Term Company sponsorship

Children Financial Commitment: $1,500

Company size: 100 employees or fewer

Kickoff meeting with united Way staff:

1 hour

year-end meeting: 1 hour

time Commitment: 2 year Commitment

two activities per year with an option to add

United for Children

Companies in The Classroom is part of our Adopt-A-School family of volunteer engagements. Designed specifically for companies with 100 employees or less, Companies In The Classroom offers a more turn-key solution that allows your employees to impact and inspire local children in our community.

Students benefit by learning about companies and the opportunities within. In turn, your employees can participate in two meaningful volunteer engagements throughout the school year that will broaden a child’s horizons and have a lasting impact on their life.

With a financial commitment of $1,500, we will provide a United Way staff member who can connect your company and employees with a school whose students will benefit most from a Companies In The Classroom relationship. United Way will leverage its long-standing connections with our community’s local schools as well as our experience in developing successful programs that provide enrichment for local students. We will make it easy for your company to get engaged by providing the guidance, guidelines, activities and best practices that can have the greatest impact on the students.

coMPAnieS inthe clASSrooMInvesT In The FuTure OF Our COMMunITy.

One sChOOL aT a TIMe.

FOr MOre InFOrMaTIOn, COnTaCT shauna MCMILLan,

COMpanIes In The CLassrOOM prOGraM ManaGer aT

shauna.MCMILLan@unITeDWaysWpa,OrG Or CaLL 412-456-6833.

coMPAnieS in the clASSrooM

to get StArted

• hands-on Classroom engagements Host a company sponsored Career Fair, bring your employees into the classroom to teach for a day, or host a day on-site at your own location. We offer many ways for your employees to work one-on-one or in small groups with students as they explore learning experiences with your team.

• resourCe driVes Collect much needed supplies that help improve the learning environment for kids, or help to meet the basic needs of students so they can focus on learning.

• additional aCtiVities You can upgrade your package to include an additional engagement for an incremental cost of up to $5,000. Ask your United Way contact for more information.

For a commitment of $1,500, participating companies can select two ways to engage with students. A United Way staff person will help coordinate all the details and match you up with the right school.

Employees from Williams help students

at Chartiers Valley Middle School explore

environmental issues, careers and engineering.

to Get started

for more informAtion,

ContACt WendY mCCAbe koCH, At

[email protected]

or CAll 412.261.6010.

make a difference for those in need · the importance of staying in school. you can make a...

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