United Way Bay Area

The United Way Bay Area Greater Bay Area Voter Guide is HERE! Visit https://okt.to/tSXANW to get your copy today! This voter guide reviews proposed ballot measures and their impact on our programming and policy efforts. We hope it will help you become more involved so you can help move anti-poverty efforts forward in your community. Here is our letter from UWBA Interim CEO, Kelly Batson, "Dear UWBA Advocates and Supporters, For over 100 years, UWBA has been at the forefront of promoting strategies that improve the quality of life for all Bay Area residents. We work tirelessly to break the cycle of poverty for people in need throughout our region through several programs, including SparkPoint™', 211, and Free Tax Help. Even with our highly effective programs, we understand we cannot program our way out of poverty. Historically, some policies have made it difficult for families to become more financially stable. This continues today, which is why UWBA fights for equity and policies that benefit all individuals and families, empowering them to gain a stronger economic foothold as they work to get ahead. This includes advocating for expanding proven poverty-fighting measures like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), more funding for information and referral systems like 211, and developing more affordable housing. It also means we support measures that ensure equality and dignity for all our Bay Area residents like Marriage Equality, reproductive rights, and new library construction. We know that strategically engaging in both supportive services and policy advocacy is essential to uplifting our most vulnerable residents. By supporting our work and considering our policy positions as you vote this fall, you can contribute towards realizing our vision of an equitable Bay Area where everyone has the opportunities and resources to thrive. UNITED, we can end poverty in the Bay Area." Special thank you to our authors, contributors, and reviewers! Authors Jacqueline Chan, Interim Public Policy Director and Vice President, Impact Strategies Jess Hudson, Public Policy Manager Contributors Grace Chen, Senior Director, Brand and Integrated Marketing Isabelle Escobar, Ideas Inspire Fellows Jason Mendez, Editorial Content Specialist Brisa Moreno-Alcocer, Ideas Inspire Fellow Monica Strauch, Public Policy Manager Reviewers Barbara Bennett, UWBA Public Policy Committeee Suellen Billow, UWBA Community Ambassador Sachin Ganpule, UWBA Public Policy Committee Appollonia Williams, UWBA Ambassador, UWBA Public Policy Committee #TheWorkUWBA

The Free Tax Help season is approaching! We are preparing to help over 33,000 people file their taxes for free. Can you help us? We have a volunteer info session next Tuesday, November 12th. Visit https://okt.to/vfNbWz to learn more! #TheWorkUWBA #FreeTaxHelp

Today is #election day! We are proud to be voting in a way that makes the Bay Area a more equitable place, for everyone. Visit https://okt.to/lObFCJ to see our voter guide before you head to the polls!! #TheWorkUWBA

Our Next Edition of the Better Bay Newsletter is here! Read more on Prop 5, being a Free Tax Help Volunteer, and upcoming events!

Happy Native American Heritage Month! As UWBA celebrates #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we encourage you to explore these highlights from The Journey (as well as a few bonus pieces!) throughout November. After you finish a content piece, come back to this post and comment your learnings! Visit https://okt.to/UnsLdw to see more on The Journey! #TheJourneyUWBA #TheWorkUWBA

We're #hiring a new Program Specialist, Free Tax Help in San Francisco, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

From bag assembly to the hands of our Free Tax Help Coordinators! Thank you PwC for spending time decorating journals, writing cards, and assembling appreciation gifts for our Free Tax Help program site coordinators. They very much appreciated the thoughtful goodies to start off the 2025 tax season on the right foot 💙🤍 #TheWorkUWBA #FreeTaxHelp

We're #hiring a new Senior Accountant in San Francisco, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We were delighted to host representatives from United Way Bay Area—Laura Escobar and Melissa Laureta—for a tour of Ritter Center’s food pantry and our new facility at 800 A. Street this week! Thanks to United Way Bay Area's recent $6,000 grant, we are empowered to provide even more vital support to those facing food insecurity in Marin. A heartfelt thanks to Laura for the generous donation of chocolates and hygiene kits, bringing extra care and comfort to our clients. ❤️ Together, we’re making an impact in the community. Thank you, United Way Bay Area, for your ongoing partnership! 📷: Melissa Laureta, Laura Escobar, Cynthia Le Monds, and Noelle Colome #UnitedWayBayArea #RitterCenter #CommunitySupport #FoodInsecurity #MarinCounty #TogetherForChange #NonprofitPartners #GivingBack

Our Free Tax Help team held its annual Regional Site Coordinator Convening in Oakland this week - finally returning to being an in-person, full day event after 4 years! Free Tax Help Coordinators from all 8 counties came out to learn and connect with each other. They heard from various speakers- including Rebecca Thompson from the IRS’ Inflation Reduction Act team— who flew out from Washington DC to join us and speak about IRS Direct File. We are so grateful for our Free Tax Help Coordinators who work tirelessly on and off the tax season to ensure that everyone eligible can receive Free Tax Help powered by United Way Bay Area! We could use your help preparing to serve over 30,000 people in the 2025 tax season! Visit https://lnkd.in/gaWZPJ_D to donate today! #TheWorkUWBA