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United Way of the Wine Country Newsletters
DECEMBER 19TH 2025
You're the link between need and hope.
United Way of the Wine Country is a vital force for equity and resilience in our region. We deliver two cornerstone services that change lives every day:
2-1-1 Sonoma – a trusted lifeline for residents facing urgent needs such as housing instability, food insecurity, healthcare gaps, legal challenges, and disaster recovery. Every four minutes, someone reaches out for help. Our team connects them to life-saving resources in moments of crisis and provides 24/7 access to thousands of opportunities for support.
Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! (EKS) – free tax preparation and financial guidance for more than 6,000 families each year earning under $79,000. In 2025 alone, this program has generated more than $13 million in refunds, credits, and savings. With the average filer earning just $34,000 annually, tax time becomes a crucial financial lifeline for families struggling to make ends meet.
Meet Eddie.
In 2023, a chance meeting with Suzanne Harris, our Community Impact Director, changed Eddie’s life. What began as help with an overdue tax return turned into housing stability, a one-time grant, and—thanks to an introduction to our board chair—a new job in the design industry he had only dreamed of.
Today, Eddie is safely housed, earning a steady income, and pursuing his dream of a career in interior design.
Suzanne often says tax refunds are the single largest cash infusion most households receive each year. But free tax help offers more than refunds—it opens doors to energy assistance, housing support, and other vital resources that help families move from struggle to stability. These aren’t handouts—they’re bridges to stability. Together, they create pathways for families to thrive.
Your support makes stories like Eddie’s possible. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more resilient community—now and for years to come.
Be the Connection — Your Help Turns Crisis Into Stability
https://donate.unitedwaywinecountry.org/YearEndb
• Support United Way through DAF grants, appreciated stock, or IRA QCDs.
• Grant language: “United Way of the Wine Country (Tax ID: 941669646).”
• For electronic fund transfers contact Faviola Ortiz, Accounting Manager, at (707) 284-7094.
DECEMBER 17TH 2025
You are part of the mycelial network that sustains us.
We were recently reminded of a June 2019 article by nonprofitaf.com founder and philanthropic thought leader Vu Le in which Vu reflects on how the nonprofit sector is like the underground mycelium in a forest. Mycelia form the vast but mostly underground networks that make it possible for mushrooms to flourish. While mycelium forms an invisible tree beneath each step we take, the mushrooms we see above ground are the fruit. Mycelium brings nourishment, clears out toxins, connects mushrooms to one another, creates symbiosis with other species to share resources, and decomposes and recycles nutrients, among other things.
United Way of the Wine Country—together with our partners and every supporter—works tirelessly to care for, connect, and protect our community. We nurture and share vital resources so that no one is left behind. Today, more than 72,000 households in our region face vulnerability. As part of the nonprofit safety net, United Way helps ensure that every neighbor has access to essentials like food, housing, healthcare, transportation, and economic assistance when times are tough.
As Winter Solstice approaches and we gather with family and friends, United Way is calling in everyone who values access, dignity, and belonging. Imagine our community as an intricate underground network—like mycelia—quietly nourishing all that sustains life and fosters balance. Together, we are guardians of the lifelines that keep this network strong.
Every 4 minutes, someone reaches out to 211 Sonoma for secure, confidential, 24/7 multilingual resource and care navigation to essential resources—housing, food, healthcare, legal aid, economic and energy assistance. This winter, we are adding Text Food/Text Comida and Ride United to make access to meals and transportation even easier, ensuring our neighbors get the help they need when and where they need it.
In 2025, 260 volunteers and the 17 agencies in the Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! (EKS) Coalition (EKS) Coalition helped secure more than $13 million in federal and state tax refunds, credits, and savings by providing free tax help to over 6,000 low- and moderate-income households. Over more than a decade, this volunteer-powered network has enabled local families to invest more than $110 million toward building lasting financial stability.
211 Sonoma and the EKS Coalition are actively caring for, connecting, and protecting our neighbors—nurturing and sharing essential resources with those who need them most. Together, we’re making invisible care visible.
These lifelines exist because people like you choose to keep them strong.
Your year-end gift to United Way strengthens the entire ecosystem—neighbors receive timely support, families build financial stability, and our community grows more resilient.
Nourish the network—make your year-end gift
Support United Way through DAF grants, appreciated stock, or IRA QCDs
Grant language: “United Way of the Wine Country (Tax ID: 941669646)
For electronic fund transfers contact Faviola Ortiz, Accounting Manager, at (707) 284-7094.
DECEMBER 15TH 2025
Part 2 of Our Conversation with Herman G Hernandez
The latest episode of the We're the Leaders We're Looking For podcast, part two of the powerful conversation with Herman G. Hernandez, Executive Director of Los Cien Sonoma County is now available.
If you haven’t listened to part one, you can find it here.
What You'll Hear in Part 2
Herman shares his journey and insights on:
Transforming Narratives: Actively challenging the limited and often negative stereotypes placed on the Latino community and promoting the full spectrum of their accomplishments and contributions.
Building Inclusive Leadership: His commitment to creating a future where local government and organizations genuinely reflect the diversity of the community.
The Sage and the Warrior: Balancing the need for listening, healing, and reflection (the Sage) with the courage to take action and advocate for systemic change (the Warrior).
Patience and Persistence: The importance of these qualities in the "ultramarathon" of community change and avoiding burnout.
You'll be inspired by Herman's focus on revolutionary love—leading through compassion, building relationships even with opponents, and creating space for dialogue to bridge divides.
Ready to Listen?
Tune in today and join the conversation that's building a stronger, more inclusive community.
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and feel free to share this podcast with friends who believe in the power of local leadership and positive change.
Together, we'll appreciate that we are the leaders we're looking for!
With love and purpose,
Lisa
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
NOVEMBER 26TH 2025
Herman G. Hernandez on Fighting Systems, Building Belonging, and the Next Generation of Latinx Leaders
We hope this finds you well as you gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving. All of us at United Way of the Wine Country are grateful for your support and the role you play each day to contribute to the well-being and resilience of everyone who calls this region home. There is probably no greater expression of gratitude for all the blessings in our lives than to share them and share ourselves with gratitude.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the latest episode of the We're the Leaders We're Looking For podcast, featuring an incredibly powerful conversation with Herman G. Hernandez, Executive Director of Los Cien Sonoma County.
Herman is a community builder, an advocate, and what we call an "ultramarathon runner of the civic engagement kind." He leads the essential Latinx leadership hub, Los Cien, driving action and honest conversations right here in Sonoma County.
In this episode, Herman gets real about the courage, discipline, and intentionality required to create change that lasts. He shares personal stories on how he:
Learned to Fight Injustice with Love: Choosing to challenge harmful systems rather than attacking individuals.
Pushed Through Fear: How embracing discomfort—even his long-time fear of public speaking—was key to his personal and professional growth.
The Power of Relationships: Revealing the origin story of Los Cien Sonoma County, rooted in building bridges and belonging since 2009.
The Bridge Program: An exclusive look at how Los Cien is actively building the next generation of Latinx leaders to serve on local boards and commissions.
This conversation is a blueprint for showing up, staying curious, and doing the hard things with love in our community.
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
Due to the richness of the discussion, we had to split this interview into two parts! We encourage you to listen to Part 1 now and keep an eye out for Part 2.
Thank you for being a vital part of the United Way of the Wine Country community as we work to build belonging, resilience, and justice across our region.
Follow us on your favorite podcast platform
Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear what resonates with you.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love and purpose,
Lisa
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
OCTOBER 21ST 2025
Episode 3: Leading with Heart and the Wealth of Resilience with Laurie Fong
In this episode of We’re the Leaders We’re Looking For, educator and activist Laurie Fong shares her belief that true wealth is the cultural inheritance passed down by elders—lessons in perseverance, creativity, and care.
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
Laurie reflects on her time as a high school principal, holding space for students in struggle and reminding them: “Yes, it’s hard, but it’s not too hard. You can do it. We need you.” Her message of compassion and curiosity feels especially urgent today, as we face the impacts of the federal shutdown and HR 1 on our communities.
She invites us to meet people with love, even in small ways, and to recognize the quiet acts of healing all around us. If you or someone you know needs support, please connect with 211 Sonoma—your local resource for food, housing, and essential services.
Follow us on your favorite podcast platform
Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear what resonates with you.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love and purpose,
Lisa
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
OCTOBER 29TH 2025
Food Access is Timely, Urgent —and Just
Every month, nearly 42,000 Sonoma County neighbors receive CalFresh food and meal assistance benefits—typically around $200 per person—loaded onto their EBT cards between the 1st and 10th, depending on their case number. These benefits are a lifeline, but they often run out before the month ends.
This isn’t just about food—it’s about belonging. This is a nation that has often been shaped by narratives about who counts, who is seen, and whose needs matter.
Today, by ensuring food access to our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet, we can commit ourselves to a radical act of inclusion.
That’s why United Way of the Wine Country is connecting you with 211 Sonoma’s food access partners at this link and encouraging you to give directly to these local food banks, food pantries, and meal providers who are stepping up and stepping in to help during the ongoing federal shutdown.
We also want to introduce 211 Sonoma’s newest feature, Text Food/Text Comida. If you, or people you care about need food, use 707-353-3882 to text or send via WhatsApp the word FOOD or COMIDA and connect with food resources in your zip code—groceries, meals, and more. This simple texting tool, powered by community volunteers and strategic partners, helps ensure no one goes hungry in Sonoma County.
We are all interconnected. Though it’s easy to lose sight of this in our busy and sometimes overwhelming lives, our wellbeing is tied to that of the people whose interests are too often sacrificed. When families run out of food before the month ends, it’s not just their crisis—it’s ours.
In the face of systems that normalize scarcity for some and abundance for others, sharing food is an act of civic courage. It’s how we resist exclusion and affirm that everyone belongs.
Support United Way of the Wine Country and 211 Sonoma. Your gift helps us sustain and expand tools like Text Food/Text Comida, strengthen our partnerships with local food providers, and ensure that no one is left out or left behind in this circle of care.
Together, we can build a community rooted in belonging, resilience, and shared responsibility.
#UnitedIsTheWay! #UnidosEsElCamino!
Please share these resources—and consider making gifts to our partners as well as United Way today.
With love and purpose,
Lisa
WE'RE THE LEADERS WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
OCTOBER 4TH 2025
Together Through the Shutdown—Stronger, Safer, More Resilient
As you may have heard, Congress has not yet agreed on how to fund many federal programs and services for the new fiscal year. Because of this, the federal government has shut down.
What does this mean?
Each year, Congress must pass 12 funding bills to keep programs running—like those for housing, education, and health. When they can’t agree in time, they usually pass a short-term fix called a “continuing resolution” (CR) to keep things going while they work it out. This time, Congress can’t agree on a CR. Different versions have been proposed, but no deal has been so far reached. So now, many parts of the government remain shut down.
What services are affected?
Essential services like air traffic control and public safety will continue.
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will still send benefits, but some services (like getting new cards or verifying benefits) may be delayed.
Food programs like SNAP and WIC may continue for now, but if the shutdown lasts too long, benefits could be delayed or reduced as early as November.
Each federal agency has its own plan, so some services may stop while others continue. Unfortunately, not all plans are easy to find right now.
Why does this matter?
The longer the shutdown lasts, the more people will feel the impact—especially those who rely on federal programs to meet basic needs--families, older adults, veterans, and people with fixed and low incomes.
What can we do?
If you or someone you know needs help, call 2-1-1 or visit 211sonoma.org. Our team is here 24/7 to connect you and your beloveds to food, housing, health care, and more. 211 Sonoma is secure, confidential, and accessible in 150 languages.
This is also a time to show up for each other. If you’re able, check in on your neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Share what you can—whether it’s a meal, a ride, or simply your time and care. Sometimes, people just need a sincere witness to listen deeply and with compassion. Your kindness really matters.
At United Way of the Wine Country, we believe in Revolutionary Love—love that is activated by joy, compassion, listening, and even grieving whatever has been lost. That means caring for ourselves, caring for others, and standing up for justice. As Valarie Kaur notes, “Revolutionary love leaves no one outside our circle of care.” By acting from love and courage, we build a stronger, safer, and more resilient community for ourselves and all of us. This requires us to be brave with our love, and we are built for these times. We are ready to be brave and love our neighbors more bravely together.
Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep loving. Let’s keep building the future we all deserve—together.
With care and commitment,
Lisa
WE'RE THE LEADERS WE'RE LOOKING FOR PODCAST
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
SEPTEMBER 29TH 2025
Petaluma Poultry and United Way of the Wine Country Announce $50,000 Investment in Regional Equity and Economic Security Initiatives
Santa Rosa, CA – In a powerful demonstration of community partnership, Petaluma Poultry and United Way of the Wine Country announce a $50,000 investment by the local poultry company to advance equity-centered, community-driven initiatives across Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties. This contribution comes at a pivotal moment, as local families face growing economic pressures and social safety nets are stretched thin.
Since July 1, 2019, United Way’s 211 Sonoma has answered nearly 141,000 direct contacts—averaging 64 calls per day—and facilitated 1.4 million digital engagements, with an average of 9,800 views per week. Every four minutes, someone reaches out to 211 Sonoma, underscoring its role as a lifeline for vulnerable populations and a critical connector to safety net services.
During the 2024/2025 tax season, United Way’s Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! Free Tax Assistance Coalition prepared 5,974 tax returns, returning $8.7 million in federal and state refunds and Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) to low- and moderate-income taxpayers. The program also saved families $2.67 million in tax preparation fees. These results reflect United Way’s commitment to transformational economic security building—not just information and referral, but real dollars and lasting impact.
“We are deeply grateful for Petaluma Poultry’s belief in our work and their commitment to building a partnership that strengthens financial stability for families across our region,” said Lisa Carreño, President & CEO of United Way of the Wine Country. “Together, we have an opportunity to activate local businesses, inspire individual investment, advance community collaboratives, and influence public policy—all in service of a more equitable and resilient future for Northern California families.”
Nathan Bryner, Complex HR Manager for Petaluma Poultry, echoed the importance of investing in community resilience. “United Way has always been a voice for the voiceless, making a positive impact on countless lives—from free tax preparation services to emergency food and shelter programs, and aligning 211 Sonoma with county safety net and emergency operations. As Petaluma Poultry continues to invest in valued community partnerships, we’re proud to stand with United Way and help strengthen the services that support our workforce and neighbors.”
This joint investment reflects a growing movement of local employers stepping up to meet the moment, according to Carreño. “As United Way of the Wine Country continues to build systems that support economic stability and equity, Petaluma Poultry’s leadership sends a powerful message: investing in community is not just good business—it’s transformational,” she said.
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT OUR PODCAST YET?
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
SEPTEMBER 24TH 2025
Podcast Episode 2: A Lifelong Leadership Journey with J Mullineaux
In this episode of We’re the Leaders We’re Looking For, we welcome J Mullineaux—a longtime philanthropic leader whose recent “re-wirement” (that's what he calls it, his retirement) marks a new chapter of reflection, healing, and purpose.
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
J shares his journey from growing up in a multiracial housing project to becoming a first-generation college student, a gay man learning to embrace his identity, and an HIV-positive activist who found power in love and resistance. His core values—opportunity, compassion, equity, and integrity—have guided his work to transform philanthropy into a practice of belonging.
We explore how J’s activism with the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (Act Up) awakened his inner warrior and how his journey led to personal and career transformations. In his “re-wirement”, J is now focused on building a beloved community—starting with a civil rights pilgrimage to the South.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership is a lifelong journey, and the march for justice never ends.
Follow us on your favorite podcast platform
Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear what resonates with you.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love and purpose,
Lisa
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
AUGUST 20TH 2025
Introducing Our Podcast: We’re the Leaders We’re Looking For
I’m thrilled to share something close to my heart: the launch of our new podcast, We’re the Leaders We’re Looking For. This series is born from a deep belief that transformational leadership lives within each of us—and that now is the time to awaken it.
Each episode invites courageous changemakers to share stories that illuminate how they embody the “sage” and “warrior” archetypes in their work and lives, inspired by frameworks like Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love, Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership, and communitycentricfundraising.org values and principles.
As bell hooks reminds us:
“The light of love is always in us, no matter how cold the flame. It is always present, waiting for the spark to ignite, waiting for the heart to awaken.”
– bell hooks, All About Love: New Visions
This podcast is that spark. It’s a space for reflection, connection, and collective awakening—especially for those of us committed to equity, healing, and systems change.
Follow us on your favorite podcast platform
Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear what resonates with you.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We were made for these times—and we are the leaders we’ve been waiting for.
With love and purpose,
Lisa
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
JULY 15TH 2025
UNITED IS THE WAY EVERYONE CAN THRIVE
Dear Beloved Community,
In our last newsletter, we shared a video that explores what it truly takes to engage in meaningful conversations—because we are all, in some way, impacted by the big decisions shaping our world. This month we discuss United Way Worldwide’s campaign “United is the Way” and how it aligns with our local efforts to improve family financial stability by serving as a vital link between residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses and government leaders.
The full version of this video along with the previous three videos in the series are available on our LEARN WITH US page. And we’re excited to announce that we will be launching a podcast in the coming weeks called “We’re the Leaders We’re Looking For” featuring real stories, local voices–a movement you belong to.
Because of the nature of our message, United Way is currently unable to share it through our usual digital channels. That’s why we’re turning to you—our trusted community—to help spread the word. If you know someone who would connect with this message or want to be part of this growing movement, please share it with them.
Thank you for making a difference—by supporting, listening deeply, and helping United Way grow a community built on trust.
You can help tackle the root causes of social and financial inequities in our community. If this message resonates with you, we invite you to get active with us—reach out to connect and click below to take meaningful action.
Warmly,
Lisa
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
May 20th 2025
The Seed for Community Resilience and Transformation
Dear Beloved Community,
In our last newsletter, we explored the theme of cultivating courage. Each day brings new challenges that call us to lead with courage, curiosity, kindness, and compassion—and to actively create spaces where inclusive belonging can take root. This deep, intentional work is the foundation of resilience and transformation, guiding our community—and United Way—toward who we are truly meant to become.
Today, we’re sharing a video that explores what it truly takes to engage in meaningful conversations—because we are all, in some way, impacted by the big decisions shaping our world. Now more than ever, we’re being called to show up differently—for the hard conversations at home, in our neighborhoods, and in our workplaces. It means choosing to listen deeply, and being open to real, human-to-human connection—with honesty, humility, and heart.
The full version of this video along with smaller clips are available on our LEARN WITH US page.
Because of the nature of this video message, United Way is currently unable to share it through our usual digital channels. That’s why we’re turning to you—our trusted community—to help spread the word. If you know someone who would connect with this message or want to be part of this growing movement, please share it with them.
Thank you for making a difference—by supporting, listening deeply, and helping United Way grow a community built on trust.
You can help tackle the root causes of social and financial inequities in our community. If this message resonates with you, we invite you to get active with us—reach out to connect and click below to take meaningful action.
Warmly,
Lisa
4 Ways to Show Up and Make an Impact
Fuel the Movement – Support the work that’s driving real change in our community.
Drop the Link – Know someone who needs help? Share 211 Sonoma—it’s fast, free, and full of resources.
Get That Refund – Our EKS Tax Clinics offer free, legit help to get your money back.
Grow Your Mindset – Learn with us. Explore what it means to build a more just, connected world—together.
February 25th 2025
Cultivating Courage
Dear Beloved Community,
With the new presidential administration and Congress in place, the public policy landscape is rapidly shifting. Driven by compassion and concern, many community members have reached out, asking, "How can I help?" Read on for some answers!
I’m grateful for our growing community-centric movement at United Way of the Wine Country and your place in the loving community that we’re building together. I am also grateful for the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the inspiration, resilience, and creative power of our Black and African American community over more than 400 years.
Maya Angelou once said: “Courage is the most important of all virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue.”
Asking for help is a courageous act because we can never be sure how that request will be met. We might ask ourselves, “Will I get what I need? Will I be judged? What if I fail?”
In 2024, United Way’s 211 Sonoma answered over 82,000 requests for help from all corners of our community. These ranged from disaster and emergency information to resources for struggling households seeking housing, food, utilities, health, legal advice, and other urgently needed support. 211 Sonoma is a free, 24/7, no-judgment zone that connects community members with the culturally relevant resources they need when they need it.
This frosty, rainy winter, as thousands of our neighbors reach out to 211 for help, here’s what they are discovering:
A warmer home: A single mom called 211 worried about overdue energy bills and keeping her children fed and warm during these frosty days. She connected with a local organizations to access nutritious food, winter coats, and blankets and enrolled in a program that helps pay heating bills, ensuring her family stays nurtured and warm throughout the winter.
Support with caring for elders: A Petaluma grandmother recently became the primary caregiver for her own elderly mom. Overwhelmed and isolated, 211 connected her with a caregiver support group, respite care options, and financial assistance programs. She discovered she is not alone -- resources and a community are ready to support her!
Shelter and more in the storm: Recent storms, flooding, and power outages have displaced many of our neighbors. With 211 case coordination, households were connected with shelter, food, emergency supplies, and other resources to meet their access and functional needs.
Legal advice and safe haven: While her husband puts his agricultural knowledge and skills to work for a local vineyard management company, a mother of three young children reached out to 211 Sonoma to learn about setting up guardianship and protecting their family’s assets in case of deportation while they await approval for their asylum petition.
Dr. Angelou noted that we aren’t born with courage, but we are born with potential. Asking for help doesn't make us weak or a failure. In fact, it shows strength and a willingness to grow. Everyone needs help sometimes, and seeking it in this season of extreme weather, political and economic uncertainty, and the confusion that naturally arises from everything all at once, is a sign of vast self-awareness and courage.
Hope springs from having a plan and the courage to act on it. The real importance of 211 Sonoma is that it connects people who are bravely asking for help with the resources they need now. United is the way forward!
Warmly,
Lisa
January 20th 2025
United is our way forward!
Happy 2025!
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is celebrated, the enduring legacy of his work and the efforts of civil rights champions throughout history continue to resonate profoundly. So do the wildfires burning in Los Angeles. Domestic and global news headlines often seem to inspire more uncertainty than hope. We may be left may be wondering, “What’s next?”
Shortly before he was assassinated, Dr. King advised, “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose hope.” Even in the face of setbacks, hope inspires. Jamil Zaki, author of Hope for Cynics, notes:
“Hope is not optimism. Optimism is the belief that the future will turn out well. Hope is an acceptance of uncertainty.”
As 2024 closes and 2025 begins to unfold, United Way of the Wine Country wants to express our deepest gratitude to you for your partnership with us. Together, we are fostering hope and achieving great things:
We are helping to transform philanthropy and how the nonprofit sector addresses race, economic, and social inequities by activating a Community Centric Community of Practice that is consciously centering communities of color, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
We are strengthening and modernizing 211 Sonoma, moving beyond an information and referral hub toward developing a networked digital engagement platform that is helping to link clients in need with local service providers through coordinated support and resource delivery.
Through the Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! Free Tax Assistance Coalition, we are increasing economic security among thousands of low- and moderate income earners with the support of hundreds of volunteers and community partners, so far putting over $100 million into local households and our regional economy.
By cultivating a regional network for collaboration, solidarity, and just nonprofit management and fundraising practices, we are collectively empowering our community to create real and enduring change.
We are not the United Way we were in 1967 when we were founded by Henry Trione and local business leaders at the time. Nor in 2017 after the Sonoma Complex wildfires. Nor in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. And, while 2025 will no doubt present its challenges for all of us, particularly with a shifting political landscape at the federal level, our organization remains strong, committed to learning and growing with you, and committed to serving the most vulnerable communities in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte counties – always centering compassion, dignity, and fairness in all of our work.
In Hope for Cynics, Jamil Zaki’s further reflections on hope go like this:
“We don't know the future. We don't know what's going to happen. In that uncertainty, there is still room for our actions to matter.”
We are hopeful because we know the actions United Way is taking with our partners truly matter. We are hopeful because we are focusing on the root causes of struggle and hardship in our community. And, we invite you to be hopeful with us. United is our way forward!
Warmly,
Lisa
November 25th 2024
It’s Been a While! We Have a Lot to Share.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us. My purpose in writing today is to begin to make amends, reconnect with you, and invite you to join an intimate conversation with our Community Board and CEO, Lisa Carreño, on Thursday, December 12, from 10:30 to 12:00 pm at the United Way of the Wine Country office. This will be the first in a series of small gatherings like this, to rebuild our connections with supporters like you, listen and learn from your lived experiences over the past several years, and chart the course for the United Way that we are becoming.
We recognize that our community and country are undergoing changes. We are relaunching this newsletter and inviting our supporters to insider conversations like the one on December 12th to begin building understanding about what these changes mean here, especially after a long period of challenges and transformation and in anticipation of ongoing uncertainty and change, and how we can respond to them to nurture healing, resilience, and belonging building across our region.
So much has changed within United Way since we last reached out! I’m proud and excited to share that, after an intensive period of organizational evolution, United Way is reemerging and strongly rooting our work in our shared values and principles - Equity, Inclusion, Integrity, Accountability, Transparency, and Collaboration. We are committed to standing for these values and principles, both for our organization and our whole community. From this foundation, United Way is leveraging our role as a convener, policy advocate, and trusted partner in philanthropy to generate and accelerate community solutions and enduring change. One of the ways we are doing this work is by collaboratively incubating a Community Centric Fundraising Community of Practice with over 80 nonprofit, philanthropic, neighborhood, business, and public sector leaders.
Why does this matter? Over the past several years, United Way has come to recognize that racism, social injustice, and unfair economic systems create deep inequities in our community, impacting everyone. We also now acknowledge our own past involvement in these systems and practices, and we are committed to addressing and rectifying harm. If you didn’t know that historic and current philanthropic processes are considered unfair, you’re not alone! The journey to seeing, understanding, and reckoning with how some elements of our nonprofit and philanthropy management systems can be harmful – especially when we’re just trying to do good – is complex and challenging. It’s a journey that I invite you to take along with us. Learn more with us at our website.
This work is especially important to me because I grew up in Mendocino County, the descendant of generations of Pomo and Mexican people who helped shape the beauty and vitality of this region. I am raising my daughter here now. And, my personal, professional, and community roles have revealed that the policies and practices of the past have created unfair systems and access to resources – and, unchecked, they will continue to shape the opportunities and wellbeing of this and future generations. Working with our United Way community, I want to be a part of collective action to transform systems and cultures in an equitable and sustainable way. United is our way forward!
We have a lot more to share about who we’re becoming and why! Stories about the people in our community who are inspiring our work and how strategic community centered action is manifesting real, enduring change.
Speaking of enduring – thank you for your enduring support. United is the way forward for our community, and your support enables our transformation. Thank you for your generosity and belief in our work.
We would also like to hear from you! Please share your feedback, ask questions, and let us know what’s important to you.
Together, we are united for good.
Roseanne Ibarra, Chair, Community Board
United Way of the Wine Country