2-1-1
Need help? With just one call to 2-1-1 you’ll connect with a caring professional who knows the resources available in your area. Whether it’s nursing care, affordable child care, or help for a friend or family member, we’re ready to help, whenever you need it. 2-1-1 is the place to start for free and confidential help. Next time you need answers, call 2-1-1 or click www.nj211.org. (more info)

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the single largest refundable tax credit for low-income working families and individuals in the nation. The average refund is over $1,700 for the federal credit and over $500 for the New Jersey state credit. As many as 80% of eligible Somerset County individuals and families fail to claim this tax credit and as much as $75 million in EITC credit went unclaimed in 2004. For individuals and families EITC means more money in the pockets of low income families and Individuals to help meet basic needs and accomplish family goals. (more info)

Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Program
Earned Income Tax Credit is the largest government refund program for low income families in the nation. We are in special need of tax preparers and language interpreters for our free tax preparation sites to help people receive this and other credits. No prior experience is necessary and free training will be provided for volunteer tax preparers. (more info)

Circles *
The Circles Initiative with NORWESCAP is a high impact strategy focused on ending poverty. It enables relationships across economic and class lines, builds off strengths in the community and complements existing agency supports. Most important, it focuses on minimizing the “root” causes of poverty in families.

How does the Circles Program work?

• Each Circle is a family working to get out of poverty; 2-4 volunteers support the family
• Participant sets goals toward self sufficiency
• Holistic approach addresses all barriers inherent in process of getting out of poverty
• Participants given opportunity and expectation to give back to the community for the support they are receiving

Circles results:

• 50 communities selected for national demonstration, 32 Circles initiatives underway
• Ongoing evaluation process in place to assess impact:
  • Earned income
  • Other subsidies
  • Amount of TAN/FIP
  • Changes in job/education
  • Amount of isolation family is experiencing
• Four Circles initiatives in place for more than 18 months have seen significant increases in earned income for participants
• Decrease in need for cash assistance and food stamps

Example: At the Ames Iowa site, the average family in the Circles program increased their earned income by 30%. Fifty-eight of the original 106 families who received cash assistance when they entered the Circles program were able to leave welfare with an estimated annual savings in public benefits of about $490,000 per year. At the Itasca County Minnesota site, seven of the first ten families who were on welfare, left welfare within twenty months of Circles involvement.

Implementation of Circles: The Circles effort in Somerset County will target twelve families. Before working with families however, there is a year to eighteen months of start-up required. During that time SCUW will recruit volunteers to be allies (24 – 48 volunteers needed), set up and participate in the Guiding Coalition (a community group that oversees the local initiative), provide in-kind office space for Circles staff, provide funding and other necessary logistics. For additional information contact Lynn Weckworth at lynn.weckworth@scuw.org or 908-253-6505.

* This initiative has been recently approved by our Board of Trustees and more information will follow as it develops.

Workforce Development *
Ever-changing economies require the development of skills that are transportable and enable people to adapt to change. We support efforts to provide opportunities to the disadvantaged people to acquire marketable skills and develop the resources necessary to get and keep good jobs that pay sustainable wages and offer career advancements, allowing workers to accumulate financial assets and thus improve their quality of life. For additional information contact Lynn Weckworth at lynn.weckworth@scuw.org or 908-253-6505.

* We have recently received a training grant for this initiative from United Way of America & the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. More information will follow as it develops.

Prescription Drug Savings Program
Families and individuals who do not have insurance coverage for prescription drugs can now receive discounted prescriptions, thanks to a partnership between Somerset County United Way and Membership Services Corporation.

The Family Wize Prescription Drug Savings Program offers a discount card to reduce prescription drug costs by an average of 20%. The cards are free for anyone who lives or works in Somerset County, and are valid for all members of the family.

The prescription drug discount cards are accepted at most major pharmacies, including Walgreen’s, Pathmark, CVS, Rite Aid, K-Mart, and Eckerd, as well as numerous independent pharmacies. There is no limit on how often the cards can be used, nor is there any need to register. However, the discount cards cannot be used in conjunction with other cards or insurance plans. For more information, please contact Somerset County United Way at 908-725-6640 or visit www.FamilyWize.com.

Info Hour
Seminars on a broad range of interesting and helpful topics are available for presentation by community professionals to inform and educate individuals in your group. These seminars can help improve lives and provide education on contemporary topics that relate to all of our lives. The seminars can be tailored to fit your group’s culture and time frame. For more information please contact Irene Natale at (908) 253-6511 or irene.natale@scuw.org.

"Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive
The National Letter Carriers Food Drive is sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers. The food drive benefits local food banks and food pantries. Pick up is Saturday, May 10, 2008. Simply put non-perishable food items near your mail box (or drop them off at your local post office) and it will be collected by your letter carrier.

Non-perishable food items in non-breakable containers (no glass containers) are needed. Suggested items include: cereal, soups, juice, canned meats, powdered milk, canned vegetables, pasta, sauce, macaroni & cheese, canned tuna, canned beans, etc. (more info)