September 2021 Newsletter
Federal employees can be ‘the face of change’ when donating to the UWSEAK through the Combined Federal Campaign
Starting now until January 2022, the United Way of Southeast Alaska (UWSEAK) #41949 is part of the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), managed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, raises millions of dollars each year for organizations by encouraging federal employees, retirees, contractors, postal workers and active-duty military personnel to be ‘the face of change’ in their communities.
 
“We are proud to be a participating charitable organization in the CFC,” said Wayne Stevens, UWSEAK’s president and CEO. “The CFC has had a tremendous impact for decades and we thank our local federal employees in advance for their support of the UWSEAK’s work.”
 
For the past 60 years, the U.S. has been home to one of the most generous workforces in the world. Since its inception, the CFC has raised more than $8.5 billion in pledges for charities. Its mission is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.
 
Donors can make their tax-deductible pledge to the UWSEAK by visiting the CFC Giving website (https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome) or downloading the CFC Giving Mobile app available in the Apple App store or Google Play.
 
The official solicitation period ends on January 15, 2022.
 
UWSEAK focuses on the building blocks of a good life: Education, Income and Health; a quality education that leads to a good job, income that can support a family through retirement, and good health. 
 
For more information about United Way of Southeast Alaska or to find information about United Way visit our website at www.unitedwayseak.org or call our offices at 907-463-5530.
Juneau AmeriCorps Update
As of September 15th, Juneau AmeriCorps has additional positions to fill. Please email: americorps@unitedwayseak.org for more information.

Positions are now open for 2021-2022. Please see the link below for openings.

If you have any questions, or want more information about what it’s like to be a member, contact Shari at 907-463-1293.
Letter of Introduction – Lucas Oswald and Therese Pokorney
For the longtime Juneauite, it’s an obvious, perpetual verity: It’s raining in Juneau. For the newly anointed Juneauite — or several newly anointed Juneauites, such as ourselves — this is a hard reality.
 
As the 2021 AmeriCorps cohort, we have come from eight different states, each of them sunnier than the last, to serve this very wet community. It’s taken over six weeks, but we have finally begun to come to grips with never being quite dry. As we settle into our sites at elementary schools, childcare centers and other local educational organizations, we’ve also come to realize why so many like us have never left.
 
Juneau certainly has its quirks: a total lack of WiFi over 20 Mbps, the Xtra Tuffs pseudo-deification, and a package delivery speed that barely rivals carrier pigeon — most of us are adjusting to life without two-day Amazon Prime shipping.
 
But there is beauty everywhere, and there is no smog to hide it. For a small town with a small town feel whose only transportation in and out is by boat or plane, it's certainly easy to wander "out the road" and get lost. A few of us did just that one morning while searching for tide pools near Lena Point, and we ended up seeing starfish and sea anemones.
 
We’re also beginning to sink into comfortable routines. Five Midwesterners, two New-Englanders, an Alaskan and a Texan walk into a bar for mini corn dogs and trivia. You'd think this was an introduction for a joke, but it's just a typical Wednesday night for us. Hiking has also become a weekly ritual. So far, we’ve discovered the Perseverance, Dupont, Flume, East Glacier Loop trails and the Mount Roberts tramway on our Saturday expeditions.
 
Lately, we’ve heard the locals say “The sun is done,” and it sure has been raining like a Ray Bradbury short story, but it doesn’t seem like Juneau will get dull anytime soon.
 
We can’t wait to get things done. Gunalchéesh!
 
9/11 Day of Service
 
Throughout the year, the 2021 AmeriCorps cohort will partake in three service projects to serve the Juneau area and surrounding communities. On September 10, we completed one such project for the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
 
Collaborating with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska's Tribal Emergency Operations Center, we put together emergency preparedness packages for tribal children. The nine of us packaged more than 1,000 kits that were shipped out to children across the state and the Pacific Northwest. The bags contained a COVID-19 coloring book, a water bottle, hand sanitizer, masks, a whistle, and a reflector.
 
What to Expect Next
 
In the coming months, we will spotlight each of our members, bringing you a more in-depth look into an AmeriCorps member’s day-to-day. First to grace these pages (or screens, for most of you) will be our longest-serving member, Trinity James. Trinity serves at Gruening Park and, sadly, will be finishing her service and leaving our cohort in early October. Look for her spotlight and farewell in the coming newsletter!
Help Your Community Come Together in a UNITED WAY!
Become a Red Cross Volunteer. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives.
When disaster strikes anywhere in Alaska, you can count on the American Red Cross of Alaska to be there. They will utilize volunteers and generous donations from community members to ensure everyone in an impacted community will receive a warm blanket, a full stomach, and a place to lay their heads. They also provide comfort care like licensed mental health workers to help victims of a disaster process and overcome the stress of dealing with difficult times.
 
You may recognize the work of the Red Cross when major disasters happen, like the recent western wildfires and Hurricane Ida. But the American Red Cross of Alaska does a majority of its work inside the state. From responding to families who have lost everything due to a home fire to helping rural communities prepare for disaster to installing free smoke alarms, the Red Cross is working every day to make their community a safer place.
           
But the work of the Red Cross relies heavily on everyday citizens stepping up and answering the call to volunteer. After assisting with major disasters nationwide, the Red Cross has a critical need for more volunteers. Their most significant need in Southeast Alaska is for Disaster Action Team Responders, Case Workers, Disaster Mental Health Volunteers, and preparedness volunteers. Each position offers its own unique set of opportunities for willing volunteers.
 
  • Disaster Action Team Members respond to home fires in their community, taking care of the immediate needs of the families who are suffering.

  • Case Workers help families in the days after a fire with financial assistance and housing support. This position can be filled by someone who wishes to volunteer virtually.

  • Disaster Mental Health Team Members are licensed mental health care workers who serve victims of disasters big and small.

  • Preparedness Volunteers work with schools to help educate the community's younger members and make sure they and their family members are ready for any emergency.
 
If these positions speak to you and you are ready to take up the call or want to learn more, you can contact the American Red Cross of Alaska Regional Volunteer Service Officer Paton Stott at paton.stott@redcross.org. So sign up to volunteer today and make your community a safer place for your friends and family.
Rain or Shine Learning All The Time
"The best thing to spend on your children is your time"

Isn't it delightful! Finding joy and delight and giving kids even just a few minutes of your full attention helps them build confidence and try new things.

Playing is learning. When a child laughs, talks, and splashes with you they are also building the learning muscles that will help them later in life.