Loaned Executive Retreat
Our inaugural Loaned Executive class gathered on the shores of Lake Lewisville at the Moments Retreat Center for a two-day retreat. In addition to team-building activities, the packed agenda included presentations and discussion with UWDC’s program team covering the needs of Denton County and how United Way collaborates to address those needs. In addition, the Loaned Executives completed extensive story-based public speaking training with Libby Spears of Bravo Communications. The retreat, led by Chairs Cardell Velez and Hector Juarez of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, aimed to give LEs a roadmap to organize and implement Employee Giving Campaigns. Divided into three teams, the Loaned Executives will support the Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD and Denton County Employee Giving Campaigns for 2019. Their aptitude, passion, and energy bode well for a successful effort!
Leaving a Legacy Early Educator Conference
Presented by the Early Childhood Coalition and held at TWU, the first annual Educating Educators Early Childhood Conference welcomed over 130 registrants. The event’s theme, “Leaving a Legacy,” honored the memory of Dr. Bettye Myers while simultaneously highlighting the vital role early childhood providers play in the lifetime education and success of our children.
An estimated 8,217 Denton County children under the age of five are living in poverty. Research indicates these children are behind in basic, but critical skills such as reading, math, and vocabulary when they enter school. Access to quality early education has been proven to have long term effects on students including increased graduation rates, and decreases in behavior problems, crime, and delinquency.
Dedicated to providing affordable, quality, continuing education sessions to early educators in the Denton County community, the conference featured a keynote based on Dr. Bettye‘s 3L +1 educational ideas to Shower with Love, Establish Limits, Provide Liberty within those Limits and finally to Listen. Attendees praised the inaugural event, with 79% indicating it was Above or Exceeded their Expectations.
Year-round Tax Prep
Between tax seasons, taxes must still be done! Whether due to an extension, benefits like FAFSA, or some back-taxes benefitted by a late refund, our free tax preparation is here to help. Every 2nd Wednesday evening in the months between tax season, volunteers like Richard, John and Adrene prepare federal tax returns for free at our office while keeping their skills sharp for their next year of dedicated service to taxpayers in Denton County. Each return prepared by volunteers saves local low-income taxpayers between $300 and $1,000 or more in predatory fees.
Denton ISD Leaders Live UNITED
Summer Leadership Training for Denton ISD’s principals, assistant principals and other key staff included a spirited United Way rally to kickoff. Ambassadors Renee Koontz and Buddy Dunworth spoke passionately about our work and their years of volunteering. What’s that Guy’s Name? Photography by Guy T snapped photos of attendees from each campus donning "LIVE UNITED for Denton County" t-shirts in the school district's zone colors. Over 150 leaders attended and turned in a pledge form to kick off Denton ISD’s 2019 United Way Employee Giving Campaign with nearly $20,000 in pledges!