United Way of Central Washington

06/19/2026

✨Happy Foundation Friday! ✨

Did you know that the United Way Central Washington Foundation has invested more than $1 million into local capital projects that strengthen our communities for years to come? ❤️

These investments go beyond bricks and mortar—they create opportunities, expand access to vital services, and help ensure our neighbors have the resources they need to thrive. From supporting organizations like Wellness House Yakima, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, and People For People to funding projects that improve community spaces and infrastructure, the Foundation is committed to building a stronger Central Washington. 💛

Every dollar invested helps create lasting change by supporting places where families receive care, individuals find hope, and nonprofits can better serve those who need them most. 🌱

If you’re interested in creating a legacy of impact, there are many ways to get involved. Learn more about the Foundation, contact our team, or explore how your gift can make a lasting difference for generations to come by visiting https://www.uwcw.org/our-foundation or calling (509) 248-1557.

💙 Together, we can build a stronger Central Washington—today and for the future.

06/19/2026

🎉💙 THANK YOU, CENTRAL WASHINGTON! 💙🎉

Our hearts are full after Tuesday’s incredible Fresh Start Collaborative Grand Opening! From welcoming guests for tours throughout the day to celebrating an amazing ribbon cutting, it was inspiring to see so many community members, partners, volunteers, Board members, and dedicated staff come together in support of this important work. 🤝✨

The Fresh Start Collaborative exists because our community believes that everyone deserves the opportunity for a fresh start, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the overwhelming support and enthusiasm we received.

A huge thank you as well to our local media partners for helping spread the word! 📰 Read the wonderful coverage from Apple Valley News Now here:
https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/fresh-start-collaborative-launched-in-yakima-to-help-displaced-residents/article_cd0335bf-f148-4046-b409-11dcce0712af.html

If you’d like to learn more, make a donation, explore becoming a collaborative partner, or find out how to potentially access services, we’d love to hear from you!
📞 Call (509) 248-1557
or
📧 email [email protected] and ask for Barbara or the Fresh Start Collaborative.

Our program is intentionally designed to be low barrier and welcoming, while ensuring participants receive personalized support through a brief intake process and scheduled appointments. Please note that appointments are required, and we are unable to accommodate drop-ins.

Thank you again to everyone who celebrated with us and continues to invest in stronger futures for our neighbors. Together, we're creating pathways to stability, dignity, and hope. 🌟

06/17/2026

🌟 Board Member Spotlight: Nathan Boots 🌟

At United Way of Central Washington, our Board members bring passion, expertise, and a shared commitment to creating lasting change—and Nathan Boots is no exception! 🤝

Growing up with parents who both worked in the nonprofit sector, Nathan learned early on that strong communities are built when people invest in one another. ❤️ That lesson continues to guide his dedication to volunteerism and service today.

Nathan is especially passionate about the work happening through our Financial Success Center. He believes financial education and wealth-building are essential tools for helping individuals and families achieve long-term stability, creating positive change for generations to come. 📈🌱

🍟 One of Nathan’s favorite memories serving on our Board is volunteering during a fundraising takeover at McDonald's. Connecting directly with community members and hearing stories about how United Way had made a difference in their lives reinforced why this work matters. 🙌

📍 Nathan joined the Board with a desire to help strengthen opportunities across our region and make a meaningful impact in Kittitas County. 💙 As he begins his new role with the American Red Cross, he’s especially excited about opportunities to partner and ensure our community receives the support it needs. 🤝🚑

Whether he’s volunteering his time, supporting strategic initiatives, or championing financial empowerment, Nathan exemplifies the spirit of service and collaboration that helps make Central Washington stronger. 🌟 We’re grateful for his leadership and the heart he brings to our mission of building a stronger Central Washington for all. 🏡💙

👏 Thank you, Nathan, for helping make Central Washington a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive! 💙

06/15/2026

🎉 Tomorrow, a new chapter begins! 🎉

The Fresh Start Collaborative officially opens its doors tomorrow, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating this exciting milestone for Central Washington. 💙

Every day, hardworking families in our community face unexpected challenges—a job loss, medical bill, car repair, or other life event that can quickly become a financial crisis. For ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, these setbacks often come without a safety net.

The Fresh Start Collaborative was created by your United Way of Central Washington to help bridge those gaps with dignity and compassion. Through referrals and appointments, individuals and families can access household essentials, clothing, hygiene products, and other basic necessities that provide stability during times of transition and crisis to create the foundation for a brighter future.

📅 Join us tomorrow, June 16!
🏠 Open House & Tours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
✂️ Ribbon Cutting & Happy Hour: 4:00 PM
📍 6 S 1st Ave, Yakima, WA 98901

Come explore the space, meet the staff and community partners who helped bring this vision to life, and learn how this collaborative effort is supporting local families as they work toward long-term stability and success.

Interested in partnering with us, donating essential items, referring someone in need, or simply learning more? We'd love to connect! Call our office at (509) 248-1557 or email [email protected] to get your questions answered and discover how you can be part of creating fresh starts across our community. ✨

Together, we're turning compassion into action and helping our neighbors build stronger, more stable futures. We can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow! 💛

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.

💙

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!

Explore the ALICE report for the Pacific Northwest. We track Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed households to drive better policy and support.

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/