"United Way introduces ‘Operation Uplift’ volunteer, leadership effort"

My latest feature story for the West Valley View newspaper in Arizona. 

TOP STORY

United Way introduces ‘Operation Uplift’ volunteer, leadership effort

·        BY Steven Solomon, West Valley View Contributing Writer

In the spirit of the upcoming National Volunteer Month in April, the Valley of the Sun United Way is accepting applications to fund small impact-driven projects that would help fulfill the needs of metro Phoenix communities. Community members, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public schools are eligible.

“It’s a new initiative we started in February in collaboration with Mercy Care, our presenting sponsor, which provided $50,000 for the program,” said Francisco Avalos, United Way’s director of engagement.

“Our goal is several dozen applications, if not more. We got four in the first week. I anticipate volume being pretty high.”

The program focuses on enhancing learning and living environments, encouraging volunteerism, addressing gaps in the system, and building connections in Valley communities throughout Maricopa County. The micro-grants are small, but flexible, so that eligible organizations can apply for them.

Three grant tiers

There are three tiers of grants awarded from United Way’s Operation Uplift Micro-Grant Program for volunteer project ideas.

“Tier 1 is a tool-only request, so that might be for a teenager in Avondale who wants to do a school cleanup or a Boy Scout Troop in Peoria that wants to do a project,” Avalos said, noting United Way has collaborated with the Phoenix Community ToolBank to offer almost any tool needed for any volunteer job. “These would be tools like drills, hammers, screwdrivers, paint brushes and rollers.”

A Tier 2 request would be for tools and materials costing up to $200, such as paint, roller pads, drop cloths, trash bags, hardware and tape. “If you’re a mom in Goodyear who wants to paint a particular school room, you can apply for tools and materials,” Avalos said.

A Tier 3 request is a financial contribution, up to a maximum of $200.

In addition to helping eliminate the barriers of the cost of paint, tools and other materials needed to make improvements to schools, playgrounds, shelters and other infrastructure, Operation Uplift said the micro-grants will help provide leadership and volunteer opportunities for locals looking to serve their communities and advocate for these causes.

A change creator

“It’s all about how we can eliminate barriers for individuals in local communities to rise up to create change in their home communities,” Avalos said.

Recently funded projects include a Rotary Club in Surprise that repainted a room at a local domestic violence shelter, campus beautification at the Esperanza Elementary School in Maryville, and repainting of pantry walls at ICM Food & Clothing Bank in central Phoenix.

Applications are reviewed every week by a United Way volunteerism subcommittee of a half dozen community members, business partners and nonprofit partners. All projects must be completed by April 30.

Valley of the Sun United Way has 90,000 donors, 400 business supporters and 5,000 volunteers working together to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring children and youth succeed, ending hunger and homelessness, and increasing the financial stability of families.

Nonprofit organizations looking to apply for a micro-grant to help fund a one-time volunteer project can go online to vsuw.org/operationuplift for details.

United Way introduces ‘Operation Uplift’ volunteer, leadership effort