United Way of Central Washington

06/12/2026

⛳💙 THANK YOU for making our inaugural Community Classic Golf Tournament an incredible success! 💙⛳

Our hearts are full of gratitude for every sponsor, golfer, volunteer, donor, and supporter who came together to make this first-ever event so special. Because of you, we're able to continue investing in programs that help local families achieve financial stability, access critical resources, and build brighter futures throughout Central Washington.

A very special THANK YOU goes to Pepsi - Noel Corporation, our Presenting Sponsor, for believing in this event and helping bring our vision to life. Your partnership and generosity continue to make an incredible impact in our communities!

We also want to extend our deepest appreciation to Apple Tree Resort & Golf Course for being such an amazing host and partner. Their generosity, hospitality, and supportive staff were instrumental in making the Community Classic possible—we truly could not have done it without them.

Thank you as well to our wonderful Lunch Sponsors, Red & Carolyn Ramsey, for keeping our golfers fueled and ready for a fantastic day on the course.

And to our outstanding Hole & Contest Sponsors:
🏌️ Harvest Auto - Hole-in-One Sponsor
🏌️ Tree Top - Longest Drive Sponsor
🏌️ Solarity Credit Union
🏌️ Burrows Tractor, Inc.
🏌️ Precision Glass & Hardware
🏌️ Mt. Adams Golf Club
🏌️ Tri-Ply Construction LLC
🏌️ Kelley Create - Closest to the Pin Sponsor
🏌️ Leslie & Campbell Inc.
🏌️ Valley Mold Dog
🏌️ Sure Shot Guns & Pawn
🏌️ Wheatland Bank

Your support demonstrates what it means to invest in community, and we are so grateful.

📸 We captured so many great moments throughout the day, and event photos will be posted soon—so keep an eye on our page!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping make the inaugural Community Classic a tremendous success. Together, United Is The Way to creating stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.

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06/11/2026

🏠 The best way to solve homelessness is to prevent it before it starts. 🏠

📊 The latest ALICE data confirms what many families in our community already know: more households than ever are living paycheck to paycheck. They're working 💼, contributing 🤝, and doing everything they can to make ends meet—but one unexpected expense 💸, medical emergency 🏥, or missed paycheck 💵 can quickly become a housing crisis.

That's why 💙 United Way of Central Washington's Financial Success Center launched an innovative Eviction Prevention Pilot Program that brings partners together to keep families safely housed while building long-term financial stability.

Through this collaborative effort, families receive:
🏡 Eviction prevention assistance funded through a Yakima County grant
⚖️ Legal support from Central WA Legal Aid and Northwest Justice Project
📈 One-on-one financial coaching from United Way's Financial Success Center

🌟 Since launching the pilot in November 2025, we've:
✅ Served 23 households facing eviction
💰 Distributed more than $70,000 in rental assistance
📌 Maintained a 96% participant retention rate
🙌 Achieved an 83% active engagement rate
💙 Seen 100% of participants continue financial coaching after receiving assistance
🏠 Helped families remain housed while creating a path toward lasting financial security

The most inspiring outcome isn't the numbers—it's the commitment our participants have shown. They're reviewing credit reports 📊, paying down debt 💳, building budgets 📝, setting financial goals 🎯, and creating brighter futures for themselves and their families. 🌱

And here's something many people don't know: our Financial Success Center is for everyone—not just those facing eviction.

💙 FREE financial coaching is available to anyone looking to:
💰 Build a budget
📊 Improve their credit
💳 Reduce debt
🏦 Increase savings
🎯 Reach financial goals
🏠 Strengthen housing stability
💼 Connect with employment resources
📈 Gain confidence and long-term financial independence

🚨 The need continues to grow, and we're looking for employers, funders, businesses, and community partners who want to invest in prevention, financial education, and stronger families.

Every family that stays housed avoids crisis. ❤️ Every child who stays in their home keeps the stability they deserve. 🏫 And every investment in prevention creates a stronger, more resilient Central Washington.

📧 Want to learn more, access FREE financial coaching, or support this life-changing work? Contact us at [email protected] or call (509) 248-1557.

💙 Let's build financial stability, strengthen families, and prevent homelessness before it starts.

06/10/2026

📊 NEW DATA RELEASED: The State of ALICE in Washington 2026 📊

Behind the headlines about employment and economic growth, many hardworking families are still struggling to make ends meet.

The newly released State of ALICE in Washington report reveals that 37% of Washington households are living below the ALICE Threshold or in poverty. That means more than 1.1 million households are facing financial hardship despite many working full-time jobs.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn too much to qualify for many assistance programs, but not enough to afford basic necessities like housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology.

These are our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members. They are child care providers, cashiers, food service workers, delivery drivers, and countless others who keep our communities running every day.

At United Way, we use ALICE data to better understand community needs, advocate for lasting solutions, and invest in programs that help families achieve financial stability and thrive.

Take a look at the report and learn more about the realities facing working families across Washington. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office with questions or to learn more.
📞(509) 248-1557

Together, we can make a stronger Central Washington!

Today, we are sharing critical new data that highlights the financial challenges facing our region.

The 2026 State of ALICE report reveals that 37% of households in Washington and Idaho, and 41% in Oregon, are struggling to afford basic necessities. These families are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). They are essential members of our workforce who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the actual cost of living.

For these households, every day involves impossible choices between fundamental needs like food, healthcare, and housing. At United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, we remain committed to addressing the root causes of these hardships and advocating for systemic change to ensure every neighbor can thrive.

We invite you to explore the latest findings and data for your community at unitedforalice.org.

Together, we can build a more resilient and equitable Pacific Northwest.

06/09/2026

🎉⏰ Just ONE WEEK to go! ⏰🎉

In just seven days, we'll officially open the doors to the Fresh Start Collaborative, and we can't wait to welcome our community into this incredible new space. 💙🏡

Every day, families across Central Washington face unexpected challenges that can quickly turn into major crises. A lost job, a medical emergency, a car repair, or a sudden life transition can force impossible choices between paying bills and meeting basic needs.

Many of these households are ALICE families—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—people who are working, often in essential jobs, but still struggle to afford the basics. They earn too much to qualify for many assistance programs, yet not enough to comfortably absorb life's unexpected expenses. One emergency can quickly create a financial crisis.

The Fresh Start Collaborative was created to help bridge those gaps with dignity, compassion, and hope. Through referrals and appointments, individuals and families can access essential household items, clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities that help transform a house into a HOME. 🏠✨

This isn't just the opening of a new space—it's the beginning of a new way for our community to come together and support neighbors during life's most challenging moments. By helping families meet basic needs, we can reduce stress, increase stability, and create opportunities for long-term success. 🤝💛

📅 Grand Opening & Open House
🗓 June 16, 2026
📍 6 S 1st Ave, Yakima, WA 98901

🕘 Open House & Tours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
✂️ Ribbon Cutting & Happy Hour: 4:00 PM

Come tour the space, meet the amazing staff and partners helping make this work possible, and learn how together we're creating fresh starts for individuals and families throughout Central Washington.

We hope you'll celebrate this special milestone with us! 🎉

06/06/2026

⛳ The countdown is on! ⛳

We’re just a couple of days away from the Community Classic Golf Tournament, and there are still a few foursomes remaining—but they won’t last long! 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️

If you’ve been thinking about playing, now is the time to lock it in and join us in swinging for a stronger Central Washington in support of United Way Central Washington. Every team on the course helps create real impact right here in our community. 💙

And for those already registered—we’re ready for you!
🍳 Check-in, Breakfast & Bloody Mary bar opens at 8:00 AM Monday
⛳ Shotgun start at 9:00 AM Monday

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible day—secure one of the final foursomes before we tee off!

👉 Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/jii5ye/event/communityclassic/

06/05/2026

💙 Welcome to Foundation Fridays! 💙

We're excited to launch a new series where, several Fridays each month, we'll highlight the United Way Foundation of Central Washington, the important work it supports, and the many ways it helps strengthen our community for generations to come.

To kick things off:

💡 Did you know the United Way Foundation of Central Washington was established in 1996?

Created through the generosity and vision of local community leaders and supporters, the Foundation exists to provide a lasting source of support for United Way's mission. While annual United Way contributions help meet today's needs, the Foundation helps ensure resources will be available to address future challenges, support major community projects, respond to emergencies, and sustain critical services for years to come.

Over the coming months, we'll share stories of impact, explain how the Foundation works, and highlight the ways community members can leave a lasting legacy through their support.

🔗 To learn more about the Foundation, visit: https://www.uwcw.org/our-foundation

📞 Have questions? We'd love to talk with you! Give our office a call: 509.248.1557

We'd be happy to answer your questions or connect you with one of the members of our Foundation Board.

💙 Join us as we explore how investments made today can continue changing lives tomorrow—and for generations to come! 🌱🏡✨

06/04/2026

🌟 Incoming Board Chair Spotlight: Jennifer Paul 🌟

We are so excited to welcome Jenn Paul, President of Office Solutions Northwest, into her new role on the Board as incoming Board Chair of United Way Central Washington! 💙🤝

Jenn's passion for community is rooted in a lifelong commitment to the Yakima Valley 🌄 and a belief that when people are given the right tools and opportunities, entire families—and future generations—benefit.

One of the things Jenn appreciates most about United Way is its ability to understand the challenges facing our region and bring people together around meaningful solutions. Shortly after joining the Board, she began to see just how much impact happens behind the scenes.

💬 "About a year in, I realized how much United Way makes such a huge impact and gives so much to our community. It made me realize how much I love this organization and how much of an honor it is to serve."

Jenn was first introduced to United Way by Marvalene Broadhead and has been inspired by many community leaders along the way, including Tressa Mercy, whose dedication to serving others helped shape Jenn's own approach to leadership and philanthropy 🌱

As a local business owner, Jenn is currently focused on becoming an even stronger leader for her team. She openly shares that leadership is a continual journey—one that requires growth, humility, and a willingness to keep learning 📈

And while she is proud of her professional accomplishments, the titles she treasures most are wife and mother. Her family remains at the center of everything she does and continues to inspire her commitment to building a stronger community for future generations 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦💛

As Board Chair, Jenn brings a heart for service, a deep belief in the power of community, and an unwavering commitment to helping people move forward through education, opportunity, and support 🤍

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer Paul on her new role as Board Chair of United Way Central Washington! 🎉👏

06/03/2026

🎬✨ Sneak Peek Alert! ✨🎬

We’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work our United Way of Central Washington program staff and volunteers have been putting in to get the Fresh Start Collaborative warehouse ready for its grand opening! 💪📦💙

From growing and organizing to bringing this vision to life—this space is almost ready to serve the community in a whole new way. And you can get a first look in our sneak peek video! 👀🎥

📍 Grand Opening Details:
🗓️ June 16th
🕘 Open House Tours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
✂️ Ribbon Cutting: 4:00 PM
🥂 Stick around after for a VERY happy hour celebration! 🎉
📍 6 S 1st Ave, Yakima, WA

Come tour the space, meet staff, and learn more about how this collaboration will support fresh starts across our community. 💙

📞 Questions? Call Barbara at 509-248-1557
📧 [email protected]

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎊🙌

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06/01/2026

⛳ ONE WEEK TO GO! ⛳

The countdown is on for The Community Classic Golf Tournament—and we are incredibly grateful for the amazing sponsors who make this event possible!

A huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Pepsi of Yakima (aka Noel Corporation)!

We would also like to thank our Lunch Sponsors, Red and Carol Zarate-Ramsey, for their outstanding support.

We also greatly appreciate our Contest & Hole Sponsors:
Tree Top • Harvest Auto • Wheatland Bank • Mount Adams Country Club • CPC International • Burrows Tractor, Inc. • Sure Shot Guns & Pawn • Precision Glass & Hardware • Leslie & Campbell Inc. • Solarity Credit Union • Tri-Ply Construction LLC • Valley Mold Dog

Your commitment helps strengthen our community and makes this event truly special. 💛

🏌️ Again... there’s just ONE WEEK left to register—and space is extremely limited!

Don’t miss your chance to join us for a fun day on the course while supporting a great cause.

👉 Sign up today: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/jii5ye/event/communityclassic/

05/29/2026

🌟 Board Member Spotlight: Steve Brown 🌟

Today, we're proud to celebrate Steve Brown, Chief Credit Officer at Solarity Credit Union, and share our gratitude as he steps into the special leadership role of Vice Chair of the United Way Central Washington Board of Directors! 💙

Steve brings a deep commitment to financial stability, economic opportunity, and creating pathways for long-term success for individuals and families throughout our region. His passion for community impact is rooted not only in his professional experience, but also in personal experiences that have shaped his understanding of the challenges many families face.

As a leader, mentor, and advocate, Steve believes that strong communities are built when people invest their time, talents, and resources in helping others succeed. Whether he's expanding access to responsible banking services, supporting local businesses, or helping future leaders grow, Steve is dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting change.

We are honored to have Steve's leadership, insight, and heart helping guide United Way Central Washington as Vice Chair. Thank you, Steve, for your commitment to strengthening our communities and improving lives throughout Central Washington! 🙌

💙 Join us in congratulating Steve on his new leadership role and thanking him for his many years of dedication to our local communities!