"It's always better to get help and be sure, than struggle by yourself. Just like in any part of life." Meet Haly and Sujin! Haly and Sujin received @FreeTaxHelpBA assistance through our #FreeTaxHelpBayArea program at @TriValleyJobs. They were welcomed by friendly volunteers who guided them in claiming a tax credit of $3000, which they allocated towards their rent and utility expenses. Money back into the pockets of those who need it most is one effective way to make sure our neighbors have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Visit uwba.org/what-we-do/free-tax… to learn more about the free IRS Direct File option!

Meet Clayton! Clayton has been a @FreeTaxHelpBA volunteer at @TriValleyJobs for 5 years now. He enjoys helping our neighbors maximize their tax refunds and helping them understand the process. We have two more volunteer info sessions before the Free Tax Help season begins! Join us TODAY at 5:30 to learn more on how you can help us make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors. Or join us at the next session on Jan. 22 at 5:30 pm! Visit uwba.org/what-we-do/free-tax… to learn more! #FreeTaxHelpBayArea #TheWorkUWBA

We're excited to announce the return of our 211 art contest! This year we are expanding the accepted mediums to include performing arts! We invite artists and creators of all kinds to take part in UWBA’s second annual 211 Art Contest. This year’s theme is “You Are Not Alone” - making sure people know how access to 211 Helpline services in our communities connects individuals in times of need. ⬇️🧵

Meet Maria! Maria is a @FreeTaxHelpBA Volunteer at @TriValleyJobs. She has been a volunteer for 7 years! Our volunteers are part of the heart and soul of our programs. They are kind and passionate people that help our neighbors maximize their tax refunds. We are looking for volunteers for the 2025 tax season season. If you are interested, there is an info session on Tues. Jan. 7th, 2025, at 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm! Visit uwba.org/what-we-do/free-tax… to learn more! #TheWorkUWBA

Meet Lorely and Olivia! Lorely and her mother, Olivia had bad experiences with tax assistance at other preparers. Then they visited our @FreeTaxHelpBA location at @TriValleyJobs and they found people they could trust. Hear more about their story below! Can you help us prepare for 2025 the tax season by considering a donation today? Your gifts will help our programs like #FreeTaxHelp maximize the tax returns for people who need it most, putting them further on a path to thriving, instead of just surviving. Visit web.uwba.org/donors-care?utm… to give today! #TheWorkUWBA

Join us tomorrow on #GivingTuesday! Over half a million individuals in the Bay Area are going hungry this holiday season, but you can make an immediate impact! Visit uwba.org/get-involved/subscr… to be reminded! ​ Don't forget to check if your company has a donation match program that you can use to double your impact! ​#TheWorkUWBA

Don't forget to consider spending your Giving Tuesday (December 3rd) with us at Winter Wonderland in San Francisco! Visit okt.to/qN8kC7 to RSVP! Enjoy interactive activities, mingling with your fellow UWBA supporters, and delicious food and beverages! #TheWorkUWBA

United Way's Real Cost Measure analysis estimates the amount of income required to make ends meet (including food, housing, health care, childcare, transportation and other basic needs). The percentage of Bay Area household incomes that fall below that Real Cost Measure minimum ($122,663) is a shocking 28%. We live in a region where some thrive, while many struggle to get by, with the gap in median household income between the top 10% and bottom 10% of wage earners being much more pronounced in the Bay Area than across California and the rest of the country. Bay Area residents continue to struggle to access affordable housing, with nearly 210,000 low-income renters not having access to an affordable home. In our region alone, there are 34,000 individuals experiencing homelessness and nearly 500,000 individuals - including 147,000 children - going hungry. Visit uwba.org/our-impact/research… to download the full report. #TheWorkUWBA

Today! Join us if you are interested in volunteering for @FreeTaxHelpBA! #TheWorkUWBA

As election results unfold and our communities face uncertainty, we are reminded that some challenges—like poverty—are ever-present and affect our Bay Area neighbors daily. The high cost of living continues to weigh heavily on families, seniors, and individuals struggling to make sure they have food on the table and a roof over their heads. For them, poverty is an everyday emergency, one that disrupts lives and limits futures. At United Way Bay Area, we believe that we can bring people together to make a difference because no matter the political climate, the work to help the most impacted remains constant. While we cannot control every outcome, we can take meaningful steps to stop poverty in its tracks and address its impact on our community members who are most in need. Your support allows us to provide critical resources—food, housing assistance, job training, and financial coaching—that help lift families out of poverty and build stability for a brighter future. Please visit uwba.org/get-involved/ways-t… and consider donating today to support our neighbors. Your generosity is the foundation of everything we do, and we can’t do it without you. #TheWorkUWBA

Our @FreeTaxHelpBA 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 uwba.org/get-involved/ways-t… to donate today! #TheWorkUWBA

What is #prop5 and why should you vote yes!?? Learn more with our public Policy Manager, Monica! Visit okt.to/HTGFZi to see our #BayArea Voter Guide! Comment what you are most excited to support/ vote for this election!

You're invited!! We're hosting DEI or Die: The Critical State of DEI Across Sectors, a webinar to engage with leaders from various sectors in a vital discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Moderated by Founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, Mia Henry, we are so excited to welcome our panelists: Janice Gassam Asare, Founder of BWG Business Solutions Eric Abrams, Chief DEI Officer at KQED Dr. Larissa Estes (@DrLarissaJEstes), Executive Director of the State of California Racial Equity Commission Join our unique panel discussion to connect thought leaders from various sectors—public, nonprofit, education, and corporate—to engage in a dialogue about the successes and challenges we face, especially at a time when the importance of this work is under heightened scrutiny. We hope you can join us on September 25, 2024, at 1 PM PST Visit uwba.org/get-involved/events… to RSVP for free! #TheWorkUWBA

We’d love to hear from you! What issue in the Bay Area sparks your passion the most? Learn more about each in this thread! ⬇️🧵

Need a news recap of last week? Head over to @KCBSRadio to catch a 1 min recap about our Poverty Line Act event with @RepKevinMullin! Visit okt.to/EKMobF to listen! #TheWorkUWBA