Please Designate 28927 in the Combined Federal Campaign

Labor Participation Department of the United Way of South Hampton Roads AFL-CIO 

The AFL-CIO believes United Way is one of the most efficient, cost effective charitable organizations in the country.  The United Way helps working families, the elderly, the disabled and high risk youth and all people in need.  The United Ways work is particularly important in this time of recession and government cutbacks in social services.

United way, working in partnership with the AFL-CIO Community Services program, helps support the AFL-CIO Union Counselor program, AFL-CIO Union food banks, services for unemployed, Information and Referral services for working people with problems, and Emergency Financial Assistance.

United Way contributions fund local health and social services used by union families every day.  Without United Way funding, many of these services would cease to exist.  Those that would remain would have to spend most of their time and energy on raising money rather than helping people.

United Way is one of the most cost effective charities in the country.  Over 85% of every contributed dollar goes directly to helping people in need.

United Way gives union members an effective vehicle for working with other community leaders to identify community problems and needs and to develop solutions.

Organized labor has an opportunity to serve, as many do, on local United Way boards and committees that decide where charity dollars go.

Over 180 local United Ways have hired full-time AFL-CIO Community Services Liaisons to work with union members, directing projects which help people in need.

Major union affiliates of the AFL-CIO endorse United Way and encourage their members to contribute to this worthy cause.

The Labor Participation Department of the United Way of South Hampton Roads links Organized Labor with the United Way services and programs and assistance they are seeking.

This department provides leadership and volunteer participation in campaign, fund distribution, and agency relations.

In 2011, the Labor Emergency Assistance Fund assisted over 400 people, mostly union brothers and sisters, in the amount of $55,000  and along with federal grants in the cities of Virginian Beach and Norfolk that were awarded based on the Emergency Funds spent in those cities in 2008, the total dollar amount for the program was  $59,000.

Other members and the community were assisted through thel local labor liaison with filing for Social Security benefits, disability and unemployment benefits, prescription drugs for those without insurance, Debt Management Consumer Credit Counseling, and assistance with foreclosures.

The Fall 2011 classes covered the programs and services of the American Red Cross, Foodbank of SEVA, Tidewater Community Task Force and Domestic Violence.

Twenty three students from seven local unions and one community volunteer participated in the Fall 2011/Spring 2012 Union Counseing courses.

The Labor Participation Department is part of a nationwide network of the AFL-CIO Community Service Departments. There are over 150 local unions in Hampton Roads and represent over 75,000 people.

For more information on the Labor Union and United Way of South Hampton Roads contact:

Desi Nichols
Director of Labor Participation
dnicols@unitedwayshr.org
757-853-8500 ext. 111

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Spring 2012 Basic Union Counseling Courses

January 2, 2012

Welcome & Introduction
6:15 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Conflict Resolution
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Break
7:00 - 7:15
Effective Communication
7:15 - 7:30

January 19, 2012

The Art of Debt Management
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Break
7:00 - 7:15
The Art of Debt Management
7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

January 26, 2012

Financial Planning
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Break
7:00 - 7:15
Financial Planning Continued
7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

February 2, 2012

Financial Stability
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Break
7:00 - 7:15
Financial Stability Continued
7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

February 9, 2012

Senior Services
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Break
7:00 - 7:15
Senior Services Continued
7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

February 16, 2012

Wills, Trusts, & Estates
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Break
7:00 - 7:15
Wills, Trusts, & Estates
7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

All classses will be held at United Way of South Hampton Roads Regional Office located at 2515 Walmer Ave, Norfolk, Va, 23510.