A supplement of the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American
Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American UnitedWaySkagit.org
May 2022
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Table of Contents A Message from the Executive Director
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Supporting Organizations
Financial PEOPLE Project
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Integrity
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Day of Giving
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Free & Easy Games to Help You Teach & Bond with Your Little Ones
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Board of Directors, Officers & Staff
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Diaper Bank
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CHOW… Cutting Hunger on Weekends Vroom™
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Welcome Baby! Skagit Valley Hospital is continuing its partnership with United Way of Skagit County to provide parenting resources to new parents. If you are a new parent with questions or concerns, call the warmline at 360-922-2644 or email welcomebaby@unitedwayskagit.org.
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UnitedWaySkagit.org
A message from the Executive Director
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or almost 60 years, the United Way of Skagit County has believed in the power of community. We know that when we all work together, we have the power to bring real, positive, and sustainable change to people’s lives. Whether it’s through our own initiatives, such as Welcome Baby, Cutting Hunger on Weekends (CHOW), or the Financial People’s Project, or in partnerships with our various grant recipients throughout Skagit County like Anacortes Family Center, Community Action of Skagit County, or Sea-Mar Community Health Center. We strive to ensure that quality programs are available to those who live throughout Skagit County, and we know that by working together, we can create the community that we all deserve. Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to expand our reach and help even more of our community. A major change and development in our organization came in July of 2021 when we took on the opportunity to operate the Diaper Bank of Skagit County. Since then, we have expended our partnerships within the county, and together have distributed over 160,000 diapers to families within our community who need them most. We not only look forward to seeing the positive impact of the Diaper Bank continue to grow, but also seeing some new projects emerge that are nearing fruition right around the corner! Here at the United Way, we have a bold goal that by 2025, every child entering kindergarten in Skagit County is ready to learn. Through the support of all Skagit County members who have continued to give over the years to the United Way of Skagit County, they have shown the passion to be a part of the positive change happening in our community. We invite you to be a part of this effort too. Learn how you can join the cause by visiting unitedwayskagit.org. Thank you for being a part of the change. United we give, united we win. Live United.
Craig Chambers Executive Director
UnitedWaySkagit.org
May 2022
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Financial PEOPLE Project
United Way of Skagit County Financial PEOPLE Project PEOPLE is an acronym for Peers Empowering Others by Providing Leadership and Education. By Rita Ordóñez The Financial PEOPLE Project continues to be a powerful way of uniting Skagit County to build a positive and sustainable quality of life. During October-November 2021, Financial PEOPLE Project peer leaders and local bankers held a six-week Zoom financial education session for students from the Anacortes Family Center, Skagit Habitat for Humanity, Skagit/Islands Head Start, and the Housing Authority of Skagit County. Students learned about budgeting, debt reduction, bank services, credit, loans, and saving for retirement and education. Each student received a binder of materials, an accordion file for collecting documents, and $80 in gift cards. Fourteen students graduated and received a Skagit Asset Building Coalition certificate; six received one high school completion credit from Skagit Valley College. On their final evaluations, all participants said they will use what they learned to improve their financial situation and share what they learned with others. As a result of taking the course, the majority of students reported they would: • Stick to a budget
Justice Project to try and get this removed. This is an amazing course to take. I really wish I would have had this class when I was in high school. It would have been a lifesaver. I am actually currently still using the budgeting spreadsheet that was provided in the binder.” The Financial PEOPLE Project has a 74% completion rate; fifteen Peer Leaders and 171 students have graduated since the program began in 2017. Sessions in English and Spanish are planned for February-March 2022. The United Way is currently seeking additional funding to train another group of peer leader volunteers.
• Save for emergencies • Review their credit report • Take steps to improve their credit • Avoid payday loans • Pay off debt • Carefully consider the interest rate, monthly payment, and terms for any loan before taking it • Save for retirement One graduate remarked: “Thanks to this class I was connected with someone from Community Action who is helping with some collection issues I have. He is currently helping me get in contact with the Northwest 4
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UnitedWaySkagit.org
Free & Easy Games to Help You Teach & Bond with Your Little Ones
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laying is the most important thing for little ones before they go to school. It helps them develop physical, social, and learning skills. More importantly, playing with your child is a great way to bond, helps you enjoy the parenting experience, and allows you to be positively active in their journey exploring the world. Experts recommend parents spend even just five to ten minutes playing with their child each day. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they have unlimited curiosity. It benefits them, you, and your relationship. Peek-a-Boo is, of course, a classic for babies. Who doesn’t love Peek-a-Boo? It teaches language and motor skills, and cause-and-effect. Not only that, but it also teaches what’s known as “object permanence.” They learn that, even when they can’t see you, you’re still there. It’s a reassurance to your little one that they are never truly alone. Another fun way to bond with your infant is dancing. If they are old enough to sit up, you can put on music (it doesn’t have to be lullabies) and guide their hands to make dancing motions while sitting on the floor or helping them stand. This encourages
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muscle development, coordination, and all areas of brain development. Games like Roll the Ball or blowing bubbles are fun for a one-year-old. Rolling a ball back and forth between you helps them develop teamwork skills, hand-eye coordination, and gross motor skills. If you praise them enthusiastically when they catch it, this builds confidence and shows you are proud of their achievements. Also, blow some bubbles for them and demonstrate poking the bubbles to pop them. Say
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“POP!” when you get one, and they will mimic you, learning a new word. Get excited with them! This enjoyable little interaction teaches cause-and-effect and hand-eye coordination. As adults we take for granted the sensory element, but children can quickly figure out it doesn’t look like water, but it makes my finger wet! Two-year-old’s love to mimic. Use this to your advantage when playing with them. They will learn Follow the Leader or Simon Says very quickly and enjoy copying your motions, developing muscle and motor skills. Simon Says is great because it helps them put words to movements and body parts. It’s okay (and fun) to be silly. Another fun repetition game is 1-23. All you need is three of something, even rocks work for this game. Hide them and put them out one at a time, counting as you do. They can 6
learn the concept of counting quickly, and practice fine motor skills at the same time. At three years old, naps might be getting shorter. A great way to find extra quiet time is building a blanket fort together and snuggling up for story time. Or you could pretend it’s a castle! This activity encourages problem solving skills, teamwork, and creativity, as well as gross motor skills. When they’re more energetic, playing catch develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills, like Roll the Ball. Again, praise them with enthusiasm when they catch it, and encourage them even when they don’t. Language and social skills are important to four-yearolds. They’re really starting to figure the world out. An awesome way to encourage this is role-playing-games, like playing House, or having a teddy bear tea party. They will show you their understanding of the world May 2022
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in such interesting ways. Giving them control of the scenario you play out together can help you see the world through their eyes and lets them practice whatever they feel like practicing.
game encourages independence but go along with them to show your support! Kids this age can learn rhyming, so try a rapid-fire rhyme game to get them thinking quickly and using a variety of words.
Problem solving and language skills are great areas to work on with your five-year-old. A favorite of mine is treasure hunts. You can just draw a map of the living room or yard and hide spare change in a few locations, leading up to a favorite snack where X marks the spot. This
These games are all free and easy. Most of them can be done in as little as five minutes. The benefits will be lasting to both of you. Even if they’re too little to remember, letting out your own inner child has lifelong impacts on your little one. Laugh, learn, and play together every day!
UnitedWaySkagit.org
May 2022
Skagit Publishing is a proud supporter of United Way and a continued partner of the Chow program
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2021-2022 Board of Directors, Officers & Staff Board of Directors
Sue Krienen
Bill Aslett
Mount Vernon School District
Retired Healthcare/Burlington City Council Member
Jeff Brown Burlington-Edison School District
Randi Breuer Voices of the Children
Ann Caldwell US Bank
Scott Campbell HollyFrontier Corp.
Connie Davis Skagit Regional Health
Deb Davis Bundy Tulalip Resort Casino
Andrew Entrikin Whatcom County PUD
Staff
Life Coach
Jennifer Larson
Mount Baker Presbyterian Church
Yadira Rosales Skagit Valley College
Lynne Blanford
John White Shell Puget Sound Refinery La Conner School District
Officers Jeff Brown Board President
Ricardo Gomez Resource Development Director
Yadira Rosales Board Vice President
Ana Rivas
Ken Johnson
Sea Mar Community Health Centers
Sue Krienen
Novelli Haddik
Financial Director
Tammie White
Board Treasurer
Retired Health Care Planning
Executive Director
Kevin Riley
Sonia Garza
Marie Erbstoeszer
Craig Chambers
Early Learning Program Director
Governance Chair/ Past Board President
Bill Aslett Resource Development Chair
Madak
Keegan McAdams Marketing Coordinator
Sarah Hinman Skagit County
Lisa Janicki Skagit County
Gabi Batista
Ken Johnson
Early Learning Program Coordinator
Banner Bank
Leif Johnson City of Burlington
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Diaper Bank:
What is the Diaper Bank?
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ust as food banks are a dependable source of food, diaper banks supply a basic need for families in crisis. Diaper banks collect, store and donate diapers to a network of partner agencies who distribute free diapers to families facing financial hardship. Diaper banks rely on the generosity of the community for financial and diaper donations. Acting together, individuals, diaper banks, faith-based institutions, service providers, businesses, organizations, and elected officials can get diapers to all babies in need.
About the Skagit County Diaper Bank: The Diaper Bank of Skagit County was founded in 2017 to provide diapers to families in need with help from organizations including Community Action, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Program, and the National Diaper Bank Network. After a half-decade of work amazing work and hundreds of thousands of diapers given out, in July of 2021 its founders, Dean and Calista Scott, transferred operations to the United Way of Skagit County. “We didn’t want to get this going and have it fall apart at the end. It feels good the United Way saw value in what we were doing and what the diaper bank was doing,” said Dean Scott. The Diaper Bank of Skagit UnitedWaySkagit.org
Diaper Bank’s Mission To ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers for their infants and toddlers; to raise community awareness that “basic human needs” include diapers and that these needs are not being met for children living in poverty; and to advocate for policy reform so that diapers are included in the definition of and provision for the “basic human needs” of families.
County, which is one of only eight members of the National Diaper Bank Network in Washington state, takes donations of diapers or money and funnels the donated and purchased diapers to local partners such as WIC, SeaMar and others to distribute. “Because diaper need impacts one in three families and disproportionately impacts families of color, United Way of Skagit County is continuing to fight for all families in our community through the work of the diaper bank,” United Way Executive Director Craig Chambers said in a release. Currently the Diaper Bank of Skagit County ran through the United Way of Skagit County distributes over 18,000 diapers a month to various partner organizations. If you’re interested in donating May 2022
funds or material to, or interested in becoming a partner of, the Diaper Bank of Skagit County, reach out to Ana Rivas via email at ana@ unitedwayskagit.org.” 9
Cutting Hunger on Weekends CHOW
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f you have children – you know how much they eat! Seems like you are always filling the refrigerator! That can be hard for the MANY working Skagit families who struggle to cover all their costs. By the time they pay for rent, utilities, childcare, transportation, insurance – the money left for food gets pretty low. That’s why schools offer free & reduced breakfasts & lunches. Yet, that still leaves children hungry on weekends and over school breaks. That’s where CHOW comes in! A bag of food – with good stuff for a couple of breakfasts, lunches and a snack – can make the difference for a child on the weekend. Delivering the bag of food right to the child’s door prevents the stigma of visibly having to carry home food on the bus. And – we’re helping newspaper delivery drivers at the same time! I talked with the primary CHOW delivery driver in Sedro-Woolley – Colleen Lundstrom. Colleen told me: “There is definitely a need out here. On weekends or school breaks – the food is so appreciated.” After delivering for almost two years, Colleen gets to know the children. She shared: “The kids are so excited when they see me coming! They always say Thank You.” She knows that – because of this extra food – the family is able to pay other bills to stay warm and dry. CHOW works – because of YOU!!! Thank you!
CHOW is a partnership between Helping Hands Solution Center, Skagit Publishing, and United Way of Skagit County 10
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Vroom™
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he Children’s Council of Skagit County and United General District 304 are excited to introduce Vroom to the Skagit community. We know that parents are the first and most important teachers in a child’s life. We also know how busy life is as a parent. Vroom help turn regular daily moments into brain building moments!
You have what it takes to be a brain-builder! A child’s first five years are when they develop the foundation for all future learning. Life gets busy, Vroom Tips™ stay simple. With fun activities, backed by science, you can turn everyday moments into Brain Building Moments™. See for yourself how Vroom tips are fast and fun!
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© 2020 Vroom, a program of the Bezos Family Foundation. Message and data rates may apply. See vroom.org/terms for terms and privacy policy. Text STOP to cancel.
Get weekly Vroom Brain Building Tips by texting VROOM to 48258
Over 1,000+ easy activities designed to help your child’s brain gow strong
Life gets busy, Vroom Tips™ stay simple. With fun activities, backed by science, you can turn everyday moments into Brain Building Moments™.
Tips inspire fun and learning whenever you have time.
Tips are personalized for children 0-5.
Every day, we deliver a fun Vroom Tip for you right to your phone.
Celebrate your progress and keep track of your favorite tips.
Pick tips by category or setting to find tips that work for you.
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Learn the science behind how each activity build’s your child’s brain.
Add photos to make a scrapbook of all your Brain Building Moments.
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Supporting Organizations
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nited Way exists because of the contributions and other support from individuals and businesses. We are unique in that many local businesses allow employees to contribute to United Way through payroll deduction benefits. Some also match employee donations, sponsor events, fund specific programs, provide grants and/or deliver in-kind gifts! Thank you to all the businesses, schools, hospitals, banks, local governments, and non-profits for partnering with United Way of Skagit County to create positive lasting change throughout Skagit County. ELITE: $35,000+
PLATINUM: $15,000 - $34,999
GROWING TREE FOUNDATION INC
SHELL FOUNDATION
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Supporting Organizations Gifts can include matching payroll deductions, in-kind donations, sponsorship of events, and grants for specific projects.
ELITE: $35,000+
SILVER: $2,500-$7,499
BRONZE: $500–$2,499
Paccar Foundation
Columbia Bank
Heritage Bank
Shell Puget Sound Refinery
Costco Wholesale
Pacific Rim Tonewoods
Haggen Foundation
Regence BlueShield
North Coast Credit Union
Skagit Farmers Supply
Peoples Bank
Soroptimist International of Burlington
PLATINUM: $15,000–$34,999 BECU Growing Tree Foundation inc. Puget Sound Energy Foundation Shell Foundation
GOLD: $7,500–$14,999 Marathon
Skagit Regional Health Washington Federal Foundation Williams Gas Pipeline & Foundation
United Healthcare Community Plan United Parcel Service
US Bank Foundation
US Bank
Banner Bank
UnitedWaySkagit.org
State Farm Companies Foundation
Walmart
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INTEGRITY United Way of Skagit County is committed to demonstrating the highest ethical and transparent standards. To see our complete financials please go to www.unitedwayskagit.org.
ACCOUNTABILITY CHECKLIST • Does the United Way of Skagit County have an active Board of Directors comprised of citizen leaders that meets regularly? YES • Does the Board of Directors review and approve the annual budget and quarterly YES financial statements? • Do we have a Finance Committee?
YES
• Does the Board of Directors review the annual independent audit report, as well as the auditor’s management YES letter comments?
• Do we have ethics and conflict YES of interest policies? • Do we have a diversity policy?
YES
• Do we have a “whistleblower” policy?
YES
• Is the CEO’s performance and compensation reviewed YES and approved? • Do we prohibit providing donor information to third parties?
TRANSPARENCY
YES
All supporters, partners, and community leaders have access to United Way of Skagit County documents on our website at
unitedwayskagit.org, including: • Annual audited financials • IRS tax return • Annual Report • Board of Directors roster • Staff roster
Serving with pride The Skagit County Board of Commissioners Ron Wesen Peter Browning and Lisa Janicki
Ron Wesen District 1
Peter Browning District 2
Lisa Janicki District 3
Applauds United Way of Skagit County for its work to make sure every child thrives!
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www.skagitcounty.net/CountyCommissioners
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