January 8, 2001
United Way campaign under way
Once again, the UCSC campus has the opportunity to show the Santa Cruz community
that we care.
This year's United Way campaign was scheduled to begin with a kickoff luncheon for
departmental representatives at noon on January 5 at the Women's Center. Representatives
from every department were to hear how the United Way works, what its 35 member agencies
do and how donations get to the people who need the services.
The services are wide-ranging. Those with children in public schools in the county
have received a valuable service from The Child Abuse Prevention Program. Representatives
of the program speak twice a year to two grades at every elementary school in the
county, teaching both about what is appropriate behavior from others, and how youngsters
can identify a safe person on their way to and from school, to help prevent child
abductions.
Troubled teens get counseling and the opportunity to go through high school clean
and sober through alternative programs with the help of Youth Services, and Fenix
Services has the only heroin support group in the area.
United Way agencies also help people in need get housing and shelter, provide daily
lunches for Watsonville seniors, give preschoolers much-needed dental care through
the Head Start program, and provide disaster assistance through the Red Cross. Almost
every age group and area of need is addressed through United Way's agencies.
All campus employees should receive a donor pledge form through campus mail. Forms
are also available from Rachel Pound, this year's UCSC United Way campaign chair,
in the Public Information office in the Carriage House. "This year's goal is
to increase UCSC's participation in the campaign to 25 percent, up from nearly 20
percent last year," Pound said.
If you have any questions, or need more information, call Pound at 459-2495.
