Today, in 2013 here in Worcester, we are working to leverage the Campaign for Grade Level Reading with a special emphasis on getting books into the hands of young readers and their families.
A few weeks ago at a national conference focused upon innovations in education, I was chatting with some table-mates. I mentioned the Peace Corps and was stopped. A question was posed: “The Peace Corps? Is that still around?”

I quickly responded that the Peace Corps is a young 52 years old. Empirical lessons that I lived more than 20 years ago I use to this day.

On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order to create the U.S. Peace Corps. Although more than 50 years old today, the U.S. Peace Corps remains as important and as vibrant a program as when it was first envisioned.

My wife Theresa and I, emboldened with spirit and the sense that we could make a difference and that we could learn so much, joined the Peace Corps as volunteers in 1991.

I served as a Youth Development Program Specialist assigned to the Montego Bay (MoBay), Jamaica Boys and Girls Club. The MoBay Boys and Girls Club, as all Boys and Girls Clubs are throughout the world, was a place of great hope. More than 500 kids between the ages of 4 and 25 used the Club every day, and their lives were enriched from the experience.

On my first day, armed with organizational and management questions, I met the directors of the Club, Pops and Mr. Earl. I asked how they recruited kids to join. Did they have a strategic plan? Were there operating policies and procedures? What impacts did they hope to accomplish with each child?

And then I asked about the club’s budget. Pops put his arm around my shoulder and smiled.

“When we have money, we spend it; if we don’t have it, we don’t spend it.”

I believe to this day, that response from Pops was the best definition of budget management that I have ever heard. Further, in the 20 years that I have led nonprofit organizations, I have put into practice the essence of Pops’ policy, and that has led to balanced budgets wherever I have been.

There were other lessons, too, that I learned and that I use to this day.

One of my first tasks at the Boys and Girls Club was to assist Herman, the Rasta builder in the construction of a library. Herman was the engineer and architect. I was the laborer. The tools were rudimentary; a “level” was a two by four and a marble — simple, yet effective. We constructed a small cinderblock room with two open-air windows and many, many shelves.

I then wrote letters to all of my friends and contacts back in the United States asking for book donations. About two weeks later, I began to receive package slips from the post office. In three months time, we received more than 5,000 books. Some were amazingly useful: Chilton’s auto repair manuals. Others were filled with knowledge — including a set of encyclopedias — and others filled the shelves, like the 50 copies of Jack Benny’s autobiography.

Today, in 2013 here in Worcester, we are working to leverage the Campaign for Grade Level Reading with a special emphasis on getting books into the hands of young readers and their families.

While in Jamaica, I chose a supplemental project when serving as a volunteer. That project was to reinvigorate Street School, a program for the children who worked and lived in the market (and who did not attend formal school).

We crafted a three-part, three-hour day for these children: a recreational activity, often soccer or Frisbee, a healthy and filling meal, and then academics of math and English.

One young man, aged 11, struggled with the alphabet. He had the courage to tell me that all of the 30 or more children struggled, too. For them, the alphabet was more of an arts and crafts project; they did not comprehend that the letters of the alphabet represented sounds, which when put together formed into words.

I learned more than 20 years ago that early education for all children and the development of language-rich environments is critically important for future academic success and secondary school graduation. This too, today, is a focus of Gov. Deval Patrick’s Gateway Cities and education efforts.

While in the Peace Corps we served as volunteers, building relationships with people — children, shopkeepers, small business developers, public health officials. Those relationships and the knowledge transfer assisted in nation building, both for the countries that we served in and for our own country when we came back home.

The U.S. Peace Corps is 52 years old. It is as important and as vital today as when it was created.

Link to T&G Article “As I See It”

We believe — we know — that when Americans exercise and eat healthily they reduce the possibility of obesity and reduce the risk of type II diabetes.
November is American Diabetes Month. While pleased that this designation brings attention and awareness to the issue of diabetes, I am disappointed that we need to have such months.

Our United Way of Central Massachusetts, in partnership with the American Diabetes Association, Joslin Diabetes Center, MassBio, and led by Novo Nordisk, co-sponsored “Changing Diabetes Day” yesterday at the Massachusetts Statehouse. We gathered with those afflicted and affected by diabetes — children and families, adults from all corners of our commonwealth.

We will advocate together — for improved management and treatment, for awareness and prevention, to ensure people with diabetes are not discriminated against, for research and a cure.

I come to this work professionally. Diabetes takes a huge toll on our society and on our community. It is estimated that more than 25 million Americans are affected with diabetes, and that the cost of diabetes exceeds $174 billion annually. It is believed that close to 500,000 residents of the commonwealth live with diabetes.

A cause of the growth of diabetes is obesity; more troubling is the acceleration of childhood obesity in America and in the commonwealth. We believe — we know — that when Americans exercise and eat healthily they reduce the possibility of obesity and reduce the risk of type II diabetes.

These statistics compelled us at the United Way to include a health focus in our strategic plan; to bring awareness and attention to the co-joined issues of obesity and diabetes and to advocate and act in ways to prevent their growth.

I also come to this issue personally. Our son Colin — a wonderful young man of 12, an athlete, a good student and a warm and friendly kid — was diagnosed with type I diabetes when he was 53 weeks old. Most of his life has been living with this disease. He has learned a different vocabulary that includes such terms as carb ratio, bolus, basal rate, and “how high are you?” in relation to his blood sugars.

Colin has lived with his parents attending every birthday party he has ever been invited to and most sports practices, too. He has become ill and vomited when too high. He has been awakened in the middle of the night to test his sugar. Simply, the normal developmental life of a 12-year-old boy has been disrupted and impacted because of this disease. And then — then we had a day this summer that we will never forget…

It was a beautiful day, like so many in July, sunny and blue sky. Colin attended a day camp all day and that evening he had a baseball game. As the game progressed, as we tested his blood sugar throughout the game, he was tracking high. We responded by giving him boluses to bring him down into range. That night he had a second dinner and went to bed with a blood sugar level of 120, a good number.

Around 1:30 a.m., we heard a thud. We found Colin on the floor, his blood sugar dangerously low, and in the beginnings of a seizure. We immediately administered liquid sugar to him and called 911. He was conscious by the time the ambulance arrived just minutes later; he stabilized in the hospital and we were home by 5 a.m. that morning.

Colin’s seizure reminded us that diabetes is like a terrorist who comes in the middle of the night to create havoc in all of our lives. Colin’s seizure reminded us that, with diabetes, one must always, always be vigilant. Finally, Colin’s seizure — so completely personal for our family — again taught us that anyone with diabetes lives in risk. It reminded us that we need to work together as a community to assist and support people with diabetes, to create awareness and education, to advocate for research to improve treatment, to prevent the onset, and to find a cure.

The United Way of Central Massachusetts’ strategic plan has a focus upon the building blocks for a successful and productive life: Education, family stability, and health. We are proud to work with our central Massachusetts community to craft and create a health improvement plan. We are thrilled to work with UMass Memorial and UMass Medical School on the MassChild and the National Children’s Study.

We are honored to partner with Novo Nordisk, with the American Diabetes Association, and with the Diabetes Center of Excellence to bring attention and awareness to the co-joined issues of obesity and diabetes.

We remain hopeful that we will make progress, and that we will connect people and resources to improve our community.

Good afternoon United Way Friends,

I wish to bring to your attention two events in which our United Way of Central Massachusetts is serving as a co-sponsor:

An event focused upon Community Schools entitled “Partnerships for Student Success”.  This forum will take place THIS Friday November 9 from 8:15 to 11:30 at the Hogan Center at the College of the Holy Cross. I have long been a proponent of community schools – a practice in which schools become the center of their respective communities offering supports and opportunities for all children, families, and residents. I am personally thrilled that great good friends Secretary Paul Reville, Abby Weiss, and Marty Blank will all be attending and participating. To learn more about Community Schools – here is a great website: http://www.communityschools.org. Read more

Changing Diabetes Day is an Advocacy effort that will take place next Wednesday November 14 at the State House in Boston Massachusetts. It coincides with World Diabetes day; the governor will issue a proclamation, Senate President Therese Murray will speak, and we hope hundreds of people affected by diabetes will join us and advocate for awareness, better treatment, ending discrimination, and funding research from which to find a cure. Read more

I bring your attention to these two events in the hopes that you will join us AND in the awareness that our United Way is involved in issues of education and health. Our mission, of course, is to connect people and resources to improve our community.

Join us – in accomplishing our mission; and in learning about Community Schools and Advocating for people with Diabetes.

So ... 5 times a day, sometimes 10 times, we pick up our car keys, get in our car, and drive off ... to work, to the store, to a park. We drive off. Rarely do we think of the importance of a car and the independence that it gives us. Today I was privileged to be part of the Recycled Rides program. Today, as part of their United Way campaign, I was fortunate to be part of the Hanover Insurance Group’s awarding of a car to a worthy recipient. This beautiful young mom, working hard in order to live beyond a shelter, is part of the POWER program at Central Mass Housing Alliance. Today she and her family received a car. And her intention is to use that car so that she can take classes and become a nurse; to be a productive member of our society. What a gift! What joy!

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For 94 years, Saint-Gobain and United Way partner on building a better community

By Timothy J. Garvin and Bradley H. Johnson

The central Massachusetts area is extremely fortunate to have such a vibrant United Way working to improve the lives of so many residents in our community. With a focus on the issues of EDUCATION, FAMILY STABILITY and HEALTH, United Way is working to ensure every child graduates from high school, college and is ready for a successful career, that every family offers a stable living environment in a safe neighborhood in dignified housing, and that all members of our community have access to resources that result in a healthy lifestyle. And, just as important, the United Way provides a safety net for the most vulnerable among us, by providing funding to programs aimed at moving individuals and families from a crisis situation to self-sufficiency and stability.

This work is not easy, many times testing the resilience and the values of our entire community. But the work is essential and its success depends on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations; our community’s success depends on the philanthropy of all.

Each year, as they have done for the past 94 years, the leadership and employees of Saint-Gobain demonstrate the same generosity and compassion community leaders envisioned when they formed the United Way of Central Massachusetts in 1920. Back then, the campaign was called “The Golden Rule,” and it supported 18 worthy organizations that provided aid to homeless women and children, befriended boys and girls who needed help, offered care for the sick, and provided food and shelter to destitute families. Even in 1920, the company’s founding fathers realized there was a need in our community and took action to ensure our friends and neighbors did not go without a roof over their head or food in their stomach. And today, Saint-Gobain still realizes the need and has continued, year after year, to support the United Way of Central Massachusetts. The continued commitment of companies, such as Saint-Gobain, is essential to the success of our community.

Saint-Gobain will kick off its annual workplace campaign for United Way of Central Massachusetts this week with events, such as an employee barbeque, road race, and it annual surplus inventory yard sale scheduled for October 13. Last year, events such as these during Saint-Gobain’s workplace campaign raised more than $300,000 for the United Way. In addition, Saint-Gobain presented $165,000 from their corporate foundation to the United Way for use in specific programs throughout the community.

We know it’s not how much is raised, but rather the impact being made with these contributions. This year alone, United Way of Central Massachusetts granted more than $5.7 million to organizations and programs that make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals—ensuring this community has the vitality and quality of life that encourages businesses and their employees’ families to make their home here. Saint-Gobain believes corporate responsibility is about offering their employees the opportunity to GIVE. VOLUNTEER. and ADVOCATE. through the United Way of Central Massachusetts.   

In these difficult economic times, United Way of Central Massachusetts and all of our citizens are fortunate to have Saint-Gobain as part of the fabric of this community as it has for 127 years.

Timothy J. Garvin is President and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Bradley H. Johnson is Vice President of Saint-Gobain Abrasives North America and Bonded Abrasives Worldwide.

There has been much focused effort this summer – in achieving greater impact, in raising more funds, in communicating more often. Within that effort there has also been a latent frustration – that we have not yet achieved the full potential of and for our United Way, for our central Massachusetts community, and for ALL of our neighbors – the citizens of central Massachusetts.

And then, And THEN … Day of Caring arrives.

I took more than 250 photos, I visited 14 sites – there was 1 universal theme: HAPPINESS. Every, EVERY volunteer was smiling! Imagine more than 1,300 people smiling because they enjoyed LIVING UNITED! They enjoyed giving back to their community and being part of something bigger than themselves. They enjoyed working with and for others to advance the common good; so that all may live as we ourselves wish to live. Among the amazing volunteers was a 24-year United Way volunteer from the Hanover Insurance Company; always smiling. 100 students from Anna Maria College gave of their time, their talents, and their effort as part of our Day of Caring and, they too, were smiling.

There was another moment too, a more poignant one for me; the one that I am proudest of. After the luncheon, when shift II was beginning and all of the volunteers had left St. Vincent Hospital – there was the staff of the United Way ALL working to clean up and break down the family-style luncheon. No job too big, too weighty, too messy for any of the staff. I had an immense and overwhelming feeling of pride – that I have the privilege of working with each of them.

Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who participated in the Day of Caring last week sporting huge smiles and happiness. Your work and your joy filled this community and gave me an extraordinary amount of hope about the potential of what we can achieve when we LIVE UNITED!

A few weeks ago, working with the City of Worcester’s Division of Public Health, we helped to distribute an important health survey to our friends, supporters, partners, and contacts. The Division of Public Health was hoping for 400 completed surveys by August 31. After distributing this survey on our website, Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter, we received a note from the division’s Public Relations Manager, Nicole Valentine, that they had more than 1300 responses to the survey!

United Way thanks all of the amazing people who took the time to complete this health survey.  The data from these surveys will be crucial in crafting a Strategic Health Plan for Worcester and central Massachusetts.  This is just one of the many ways that United Way of Central Massachusetts connects people and resources to improve the community. Thank you for being part of the change! Thank you for LIVING UNITED!

United Way of Central Massachusetts was featured as a “Power Player” today on Golocalworcester.org. What an honor it was to sit down and share with the community both my role at United Way and the great work we do in the central Massachusetts communities! Please take a minute to read the interview and get to know the work we do a little better:

1. The mission of United Way has changed in recent years. What is the new mission and how does it affect United Way of Central Mass?

The mission of our United Way of Central Massachusetts is to Connect People with Resources to Improve the Community. This simple inspirational statement guides our work every day.

2. What is the biggest need in the city today, and how are you working to help meet that need?

The greatest need that we see is the constant and persistent struggles associated with long-term poverty. Our belief is that a sharp and multi-dimensional focus upon education IS a solution; that every home is a ‘language-rich environment’; that ALL children enter school ready to learn AND ready to succeed; that all children are reading at grade-level by third grade; that all children have a wealth of opportunities for enrichment in out-of-school time; that all children are exposed to the arts and to the sciences. We believe that these early education foci will enable all children to graduate; that they will enable all children to have wonderful aspirations for productive and healthy lives, therefore breaking the generational chains of long-term poverty.

3. Take us through a day in your life:

I am not so sure that ANYONE would wish to hear of a day in my life but… I usually rise between 5:15 and 5:30, walk our dog, make coffee, and log on and check e-mails from the day/night before. Every day at work is different and exciting; they are filled with communicating with partners and collaborators, board members, donors, and friends. Most days have some strategic planning focus – what current issues need our attention; what solutions can we leverage and offer. During the Fall campaign season there are MANY speaking engagements; opportunities to meet with great folk who may be interested in becoming involved with our United Way and the community – through contributing, volunteering, or advocating. And everyday, EVERYDAY has family time too – being with Theresa, my wife, and supporting our children: Meghan, Erin, and Colin.

4. United Way of Central Mass raises close to $6 million each year. Where does the money come from and where does it go?

Our $6 million dollar budget comes from PEOPLE; many, many great people who say ‘yes’ to our annual campaign appeal; who say ‘yes’ to making a positive and lasting impact upon our community of Central Massachusetts. During our last campaign of 2011-2012 we had more than 12,000 individual donors say ‘yes’. Additional revenue comes from the GREAT Foundations of Central Massachusetts; from support of wonderful corporations and businesses; from government grants to perform specific activities and services; and from our endowment.

Simply, our money goes to ‘improving the community’ through: donor designations; through our Community Support Fund; through Safety Net grants; through Creating Community Change grants; through grants awarded by the Women’s Initiative; through Fuller-facility grants; and through direct services such as: MA 2-1-1, the Volunteer Center, AFL/CIO Labor Services; Earned Income Tax Credit assistance efforts, YouthVenture, Emergency Food and Shelter Program administration and support, Main South Promise Neighborhood Partnership, our Day of Caring, and our internal management and administration.
5. Tell us something nobody knows about you.

I played Rugby for 8 years and miss it every day. I loved the camaraderie and the thrill of the sport; I truly believe that Rugby is a perfect demonstration of ‘collaboration in action’.

Just wanted to share a bit of good news with all of you; this past weekend at the All American Cities awards conference our colleagues and friends from Pittsfield and from Springfield were honored with the distinction of being/leading an All American City.

This year’s awards were focused upon the Campaign for Grade-Level reading; both Pittsfield and Springfield presented plans to increase achievement with tri-efforts concentrated on * school readiness; * attendance; and * summer as the learning season – or, as Pittsfield now tells us “turning summer slide into summer glide.”

As wonderful as this distinction is for these wonderful cities and their respective United Ways; it is all the better that they are bringing hope and success to children and families.

Pittsfield, Springfield – we applaud and celebrate you!

If any of you would like more information about the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading – click onto this website: http://www.gradelevelreading.net.

The Boston Foundation recently released the publication Passion & Purpose Revisited, examining the financial condition of the Massachusetts nonprofit sector from 2003-2010. We honor our collaboration with the entire nonprofit community and are grateful to The Boston Foundation for producing such a comprehensive study of the financial roller coaster we have all been on since 2003. I plan to not only read through this report, but also use this as a resource as we continue creating new strategies moving forward. Please take a look at this fantastic publication and know that we are joining the nonprofit community to revisit both our passion and our purpose on a daily basis! I urge you too to read this report and use it as is appropriate.