arts & non prof its
14 | Santa Barbara Family & Life | www.santabarbarafamilylife.com | August 2017
Build up a child’s character for life success
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Photo by Scott Gibson Santa Barbara Cottage Health staff were honored in the Most Outstanding Employee and Corporate Campaign category during United Way of Santa Barbara County’s 94th annual awards. Staff members are seen with Steve Ortiz, UWSBC president and CEO.
United Way honors local people, businesses and organizations
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Staff Report
essica Arroyo was struggling in school the first time she walked into United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun summer learning program as a young camper. But as program staff and volunteers cheered her on, cared for her and gave her the extra lessons she needed over the next nine summers as a camper and counselor in training, Yessica began to see for the first time that college was a real possibility. And as she stood to thunderous applause during UWSBC’s 94th annual awards celebration on May 24, the young professional had come light years since that first summer, having graduated from UCLA and now serving as an admissions counselor at UCSB. “You are the supporters making that critical difference in Yessica’s life and in the lives of thousands of other students,” UWSBC President and CEO Steve Ortiz told the more than 160 volunteers, supporters and community members who had filled the Loggia Room of the Biltmore Four Seasons Resort. “We thank you for the countless hours and heroic efforts you’ve put into making Santa Barbara County a better place.” Throughout the evening UWSBC presented 22 awards to supporters who played an instrumental role in the success of its 2016 campaign and activities, such as Fun in the Sun, United for Literacy, and United for Financial Empowerment. Volunteers and organizations
raised more than $3.5 million. Among the recipients was Harding University Partnership School Principal Veronica Binkley, who won the Community Impact Individual of the Year Award. She admitted she felt a bit odd accepting an award from UWSBC and felt that the roles should be reversed, following the difference she has seen on campus with the implementation of United Way’s Power Reading curriculum, Kindergarten Success Institutes, and other programs. She particularly noted the enthusiasm students now have for reading, with some students logging more than a million words read and proudly boasting of their accomplishments. The night also included dinner, music and dancing. Award presenters included Catherine Remak of K-LITE radio, Jim Brown, superintendent of College School District and a United Way Board member; and Janet Garufis, chairwoman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust. Award winners were: n United for Health Partner of the Year: Direct Relief International n Outstanding Day of Caring Partner: Bob Uradnicek n Outstanding Fun in the Sun Individual of the Year: Lina Kim, UCSB n Fun in the Sun Organization of the Year: Lockheed Martin n Financial Empowerment Partner of the Year: AARP n United For Literacy Individual of the Year: Kim Curtis, Oak Valley Elementary School
n United For Literacy Organization of the Year: Wood-Claeyssens Foundation n Community Impact Individual of the Year: Veronica Binkley, Harding University Partnership School n Community Impact Organization of the Year: Goleta Union School District n Leadership Workplace: Cottage Health n Outstanding Employee Campaign Manager, 1-100 Employees: Alyssa Somavia - Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner & Morrisset n Employee Campaign Manager, 100-250 Employees: Andrew Comeaux - Community West Bank n Outstanding Employee Campaign Manager, More than 250 Employees: Kevin Nelson - Cottage Health n Outstanding Division Award Education: Goleta Union School District n Outstanding Division Award Public: City of Santa Barbara n Outstanding Division Award High Tech: Lockheed Martin n Outstanding Division Award Business: AGIA Affinity Services n Outstanding Division Award Finance: City National Bank n Outstanding Division Award Health: Cottage Health n Outstanding Division Award Professionals: Evans, Hardy & Young n Most Outstanding Employee and Corporate Campaign: Montecito Bank & Trust n 2015-2017 Community Campaign Chair: George Leis
By United Way Staff
t’s been a summer of letting children’s character shine here at the United Way. Before the final school bell even rang, we partnered with local school districts to recognize some amazing junior high students with Character Awards at the end of the school year. From there, our six-week Fun in the Sun summer learning program got underway, incorporating character- and values-based education into its academic and enrichment curriculum. It’s all been in the name of emphasizing what decades of university research has confirmed: Teaching and increasing solid core values and character traits help to accelerate both the speed and the height of academic accomplishments and life success. At Fun in the Sun and United Way’s partner schools, we support research-based tools like Character Counts! and Search Institute’s Healthy Developmental Assets programs. Character education isn’t just for teachers to implement, however; it is also important for parents to model and promote good character at home. The Character Counts! curriculum emphasizes the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Students remember them with a mnemonic device – TRRFCC, remembered as “terrific.” Here are a few ways to reinforce character development at home: n Recognize your child daily for any or all behavior that exemplifies the Six Pillars of Character. This can be as simple as a compliment or can even involve a rewards system. n Compile a “Random Acts of Kindness” list with your children and let them select a good deed to perform anonymously during the week. n Volunteer as a family to help improve your school or community. If you’re stumped for volunteer opportunities, plan to come to United Way’s Day of Caring service day on Saturday, Sept. 16, or visit www. volunteersb.org for a list of opportunities. n Remember to use the T.E.A.M. approach: Teach children that their character counts for their future; Enforce the Six Pillars by rewarding good behavior and discouraging bad behavior through fair and consistent consequences; Advocate for good character in all your child’s thoughts and actions; and Model good character by holding yourself to the same high standards you have for your child. As we enter the final weeks of summer, remember the power you have to positively affect how your child grows while you’re together. You may not be able to do everything on our list, but try picking one that sounds fun and get started today!