United Way of King County - Real Results


United Way of King County mobilizes our community in ways that no single agency, individual, or government can to enhance the ability of people to care for one another.

April 2008




United Way publishes groundbreaking report on homelessness




To ensure that we truly understand the problem and use our resources to the best possible effect, United Way of King County commissioned the Ethnographic Assessment of Homeless Street Populations. It's the first-ever effort to take a probing, anthropological look at the people and places that define homelessness in King County.

Read the report >>
Seattle P-I article >>

Free tax prep helps working families
United Way of King County is providing free tax preparation and access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits to help working families increase their incomes and create savings. Free tax preparation allows working people to keep more of their hard-earned money and avoid paying unnecessary fees for commercial tax preparation and "rapid refund" loans. Being financially stable reduces the risk of becoming homeless.

Last year, United Way of King County helped return approximately $13.5 million in federal refunds back to the community, including $4.4 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. The campaign saved tax customers more than $800,000 in tax preparation fees.

The April 15 tax deadline is just around the corner. Please help us spread the word about this important community service. Tell everyone you know!

Learn more about the EITC >>
Where to get free tax help >>
Watch Neighborhood News story on Rainier Valley tax site >>

Volunteers read to help kids succeed
Every week, hundreds of children across King County are building vocabulary, developing social skills and getting ready to succeed in school thanks to our Volunteer Reader Program. We just marked the one-year anniversary of the program, and there is much to celebrate! Some 100 volunteers are reading aloud on a weekly basis to young children at 27 sites throughout our community, including preschools and Head Start classrooms.

The kids love having a caring adult to interact with, and the adults in the program are benefiting too. Here are a few comments from volunteer readers:

  • "When [the kids] saw me, the whole class came running over to me and just piled up. I can't find words to say how great that felt. I ended up reading to the whole class, and they all paid attention the entire time!"
  • "A child high-fived me as I was leaving, and then the whole class had to do that, too."
  • "One preschooler yelled, 'Hurray! You're here!' How can you beat that?"

Join our group of volunteer readers! By simply committing a couple of hours a week of your time, you can have a profound and lasting effect on a child's life. Register today, or for more information, e-mail readers@uwkc.org.

Public policy team produces results

With the close of the 2008 Washington state legislative session, United Way of King County's public policy team is pleased to report significant progress in funding that supports ending homelessness.

Get details >>

Join us for breakfast June 4

Save the date for the United Way of King County Breakfast! On June 4 at the Paramount Theatre, we'll report on the progress we're making to create smart solutions that deliver lasting change. Enjoy a fabulous breakfast, network with leaders in our community and learn more about how you can get involved. More details coming soon!

Your donation made it happen

Last year, more than 4,480 survivors of domestic violence learned skills that support safe and healthy lives and help break the cycle of violence.

Real Results is for you
Hello friend of United Way of King County! Your dollars make a difference, so we want to share the good news about what's happening with your contributions. Want to know more? Visit unitedwayofkingcounty.org. And thank you for helping us create a better King County. You're invited to subscribe to other United Way e-newsletters.

  • Campaign News provides tips and tools for running a successful United Way giving campaign at your workplace.
  • Talk About Kids discusses early learning and gives parents and other caregivers advice for nurturing children.
  • The Out of the Rain weekly e-mail talks about United Way of King County's work to end homelessness and how you can get involved.

Talk to us:
Send your comments/questions to kfersch@uwkc.org




Your donation made it happen

Over 3,000 youth with mental, emotional or behavioral problems strengthen coping skills


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Easy deed for the day
Donate canned goods and boxed foods to your local food bank.

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United Way of King County, 720 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-1702