Second Post from Brian Duchon at Alternative Spring Break

Today started as most of my mornings do, with coffee and bagles.

On the agenda for today was an intensive team leader training session geared towards helping the participants to understand United Way and how United Way works to advance the comon good.

We also explored team building skills as well as conflict resolution strategies in case the need arises. After the training the team leaders were given a special treat as we were loaded into vans and wisked away to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum to watch a Mississippi Seawolves hockey game.

Participants arrive tomorrow and that is when the fun really begins. Check back regularly for the latest on ASB 2009, signing off, Brian.

Brian Duchon Reports from Alternative Spring Break

United Way Alternative Spring Break, day 1. I arrived in Biloxi and was met by the wonderful staff at United Way of Southern Mississippi.

After taking a tour of their new office (donated by the Knight Foundation), it was time to load up the van and head to the housing center. As other team leaders arrived we spent time getting to know each other and then we reviewed the week of work ahead.

Tomorrow starts bright and early with a full day of leadership training. Check back regularly as I post project progress and updates. But above all else remember to LIVE UNITED!

by: Brian Duchon

Using ping.fm to post to all my social media at once. That's how I LIVE UNITED

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND

United Way of Summit County’s (UWSC) inaugural Neighborhood Leadership Institute collaborative begins this Friday and Saturday, March 6 & 7, with an overnight retreat hosted by the University of Akron.

The Neighborhood Leadership Institute of Summit County is designed for increasing grassroots leadership engagement in the community. The Institute is offering a Neighborhood Leadership Development Training program with the goal of training and empowering local residents and community leaders to promote positive changes in Summit County communities. Through participation in the program’s classes, leaders will learn a wide variety of skills, including how to serve as an advocate for their families and communities, find and utilize resources, and work with government agencies and social service providers. Participants will also gain insight on community development, criminal justice, how to assess their neighborhood, as well as many other topics.

UWSC’s Attaining Independence Impact Council, chaired by Bruce Rowland, created the Institute – based on models from Cleveland and all across the country – to show a commitment to the betterment of Summit County neighborhoods. The Institute will be directed by Devoe Johnson, the United Way of Summit County’s Senior Manager of Community Impact.
Other organizations responsible for the creation of this program are: Akron Area YMCA; Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Akron-Summit Community Action, Inc.; Akron Urban League; City of Akron; East Akron Community House; Leadership Akron; Perkins Street Area Action Group; Summit 2010: Quality of Life Project; County of Summit Executive’s Office; Summit County Department of Job & Family Services; The University of Akron; University Park Alliance; and University Park Development Corporation.

In addition to the opening retreat, the program includes 11 Thursday evening sessions held at the University of Akron between March 12th and May11th. There is also a special Saturday session where trainees will tour Summit County.

Leaders representing the Buchtel area are Jonathan McCray, Gerald Gould, Ayesha Nurruddin, Jerry Williams, and Mexie Wilson. Lakemore will be represented by Sara Smith, Gary Bennett, and Kelly Kortvejesi. On behalf of Summit Lake are leaders Rosa Dortch-Robinson, Shirley Finney, Michael Starks, Danmark Cunningham, and Paul Ware, Jr. University Park will be represented by Deborah Cunningham, Debi-Ellen Beckett, Jack Bird, Ann Lane Gates, and Khamseng J. Vue. Kelly Harris and Ada Hazly will attend on behalf of Twinsburg, and Jacquelyn Lewis for Firestone Park. South Akron will be represented by Dilisa Townsend.

United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or come to our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

New Property Tax Installment Plan [TIP]

Shirley Washington is a long-term Loaned Executive from the office of Summit County Fiscal Officer John Donofrio. She shared this important news with us recently.

Summit County Fiscal Officer-John A. Donofrio-has implemented a payment plan to help homeowners facing difficulty in paying their current real estate tax bill. Homeowners who pay taxes directly to the county are eligible to apply.

This plan is designed for persons who can not afford to pay the current due bill. The plan will help avoid late payment penalties and fines that amount to about 21% of the annual tax bill. A fee of 5% of the total tax bill being paid must accompany the application for enrollment in the TIP.

The application can be found on the Fiscal Office website - http://www.co.summit.oh.us/fiscaloffice. Select “property tax information”, click on TIP [PDF], enter the parcel number and generate a completed application form, displaying the calculated fee. The 5% fee MUST be enclosed with the application.

Each approved applicant will receive a packet containing remittance forms and envelopes for the installment payments. For assistance, please call the Fiscal Office at 330-643-2590 or send e-mail tip@summitoh.net . Applications must be received in the Fiscal Office-175 S. Main Street-3rd Floor –Akron, 44308 or postmarked by deadline of Friday-February 20, 2009.

Reality Check Opens Akron High School Students' Eyes

United Way of Summit County was once again pleased to participate in the 'Reality Check' program at an Akron Public High School. Today, Ellet joined past participants East and Garfield in holding this innovative program that exposes 10th graders to the costs that come with being an adult.

In preparation for the Reality Check day, students choose a career they'd like to have someday. Their teachers evaluate if that's a realistic goal - based on the student's grades, attendance and other factors. When the students arrive at the gym on Reality Check day, they're given a sheet with their occupation listed along with their monthly gross salary.

Then comes the Reality part.

All around the gym are tables under banners like 'Uncle Sam,' 'Banking,' 'housing,' 'transportation,' and more. The students have to visit each one and discover how far their income takes them (or in many cases, doesn't take them).

The first stop is of course Uncle Sam where the students learn that taxes take a large portion of their money. They're encouraged to visit the bank and put some money away in a savings account.

Then the decisions start - buy a house or rent an apartment? Used car or a bus pass? High fashion or thrift store?

One of the real eye openers for many students is the cost of childcare. You hear many participants walking past saying "I didn't know it was so expensive to have kids!"

And I get to sit at the 'Contributions' table, which is always an enlightening experience. Some students seek me out. They want to tithe the required 10% to their church. Others have very high paying jobs and a lot of money left over after visiting all the tables, and they compete with other students to make the largest contribution.

Reality Check is a great program in the Akron Public Schools, and I am very glad to be a part of it each year.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm..... Soup!

The 2nd Annual Soup-er Bowl, hosted by the City of Akron to benefit United Way of Summit County was another big success.

Our thanks to Nicole Read from the Akron Recreation Bureau for managing the whole process. She's already thinking of new ways to make the event even bigger and better for next year.

Thanks to the restaurants that participated: Hackers Bar & Grille, The Ido Lounge, Kevin O'Brien's Pub, Ivan's Deli, Panera Bread, and Spinelli's. All the soup was so wonderful!

Thanks to everyone who joined us to help raise more than $900!

Read the story from Sunday's Akron Beacon Journal here.