Blog
United Way of Thurston County leads the way for volunteer management in our community. "We know that the ways people engage as volunteers have changed significantly over the past decade, and we want to help local nonprofits develop best practices to recruit, train and retain these critical non-paid individuals who are essential to their mission-driven work," notes Stacy Hicks, Volunteer Programs Manager at United Way of Thurston County. "Working with other volunteer coordinator professional organizations like the Volunteer Administrators Network and Volunteer Centers of Washington, we are...
Post date: Friday, April 14, 2017 - 1:20pm
Looking for an activity your whole family will enjoy? Volunteering can be a dynamic, rewarding way to bring everyone together. Whether you’re organizing a food or clothing drive or cleaning up a street or a river, volunteering as a family amplifies your impact on the cause—and gives you some quality time together. Service can get everyone thinking positively and prioritizing what’s important. Plus, you’ll make some great memories!
What’s right for your family?
Start with a family conversation so everyone can weigh in on the idea. Ask what cause or event everyone is interested...
Post date: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 4:38pm
For almost 10 years, United Way of Thurston County (UWTC) has had the privilege of the support of our skilled volunteer, Cathy King. While her job title is Office Assistant, Cathy is so much more. She brings her 30 years of expertise working for the State of Washington in Human Resources to the organization on a daily basis and has been an integral part of the processes related to all aspects of human resources. She meets with key department personnel to write and post job descriptions of new employment opportunities. She then analyzes and scales applicant submissions. She is often...
Post date: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 4:32pm
Jim Cooper from United Ways of the Pacific Northwest just returned from Washington, D.C. We caught up with him for an update on United Way Worldwide's agenda for the 115th Congress.
What are the key pillars of the United Way's platform for the 115th Congress?
In tumultuous political times, our values won't change. United Way's Policy Agenda for the 115th Congress helps fulfill our obligation to assist policy-makers in crafting the best possible governmental policies in the areas of education, financial stability and health, while also tackling important policies that...
What are the key pillars of the United Way's platform for the 115th Congress?
In tumultuous political times, our values won't change. United Way's Policy Agenda for the 115th Congress helps fulfill our obligation to assist policy-makers in crafting the best possible governmental policies in the areas of education, financial stability and health, while also tackling important policies that...
Post date: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 10:50am
On Thursday, February 23, United Way of Thurston County participated in the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest's 2017 Lobby Day. Board members and staff met with legislators from Thurston County and advocated for increased funding for 211, passage of Breakfast After the Bell, and housing and homeless services. It was a spirited event with United Way colleagues from all across the state.
Post date: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 10:49am
When it comes to finding talent and recruiting, the Women United of United Way of Thurston County is lucky to have Andrea Ballard.
When long-time Women United member Shirley Legg left the board to return to the Bellevue-area, Ballard stepped up to lead the Membership Committee. It is a perfect fit for a woman who makes her living helping to identify top talent for legal and financial organizations. Ballard runs Expecting Change, a company that coaches and inspires individuals, groups and organizations to tap into their unique strengths, values, passion and purpose to create stronger,...
When long-time Women United member Shirley Legg left the board to return to the Bellevue-area, Ballard stepped up to lead the Membership Committee. It is a perfect fit for a woman who makes her living helping to identify top talent for legal and financial organizations. Ballard runs Expecting Change, a company that coaches and inspires individuals, groups and organizations to tap into their unique strengths, values, passion and purpose to create stronger,...
Post date: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 10:48am
It’s your money - claim it!
You could be eligible for up to $6,000 or more in tax refunds when you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Get yoru tax return prepared and e-filed for FREE at these Thurston County locations.
FREE Tax Assistance
Come prepared with:
Post date: Thursday, February 9, 2017 - 2:54pm
My name is Lindsay Fujimoto, and I am an AmeriCorps VISTA serving at the United Way of Pierce County where I am the Project Coordinator for the Hunger-Free Pierce County Collaborative. My service focuses on healthy futures by ensuring that basic needs are met for Pierce County residents. One basic need I’m particularly focused on is hunger as more than 15% of people in Pierce County are food insecure. As with many social issues, hunger is intersectional in the sense that many other factors contribute to it as a part of the bigger picture of poverty. As a result, I have also worked to...
Post date: Monday, February 6, 2017 - 2:30pm
Editor's Note: This is part of our ongoing series about struggling families in our community. In January 2016, United Way of Thurston County released the results from the first ALICE study. ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. The story below was submitted to us. If you have a story to share from your own personal experience or about someone you know, we invite you to share it with us at www.unitedway-thurston.org/i-am-alice
Learn more about ALICE on our website... Post date: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 - 8:36am
Food, meals and housing support for struggling rural Thurston county residents
Just short of the December holidays, United Way awarded $16,880 in federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) grants to nonprofits serving Thurston county residents. EFSP is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program providing emergency food and shelter for vulnerable people. This is part of United Way’s commitment to reducing the number of struggling children and families in Thurston County.
ROOF Community Services will use its $6,880 award in partnership with the Thurston County Food...
Post date: Friday, December 23, 2016 - 8:55am