Learning Express drive

The Young Leaders in Philanthropy is partnering with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to provide children throughout our Tri-County area with books delivered monthly to each child's home. This is a simple and easy opportunity to make a difference in a child's life!


What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
Imagination Library improves educational opportunities for children by providing preschoolers with carefully selected, high-quality books—free of charge, delivered directly to their home, each month from the time the child is born until his or her 5th birthday.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is not a charity or a social service—it is a gift to all preschoolers in a community. Learning to read is a process much like learning to speak or learning to walk. The process begins at birth. United Way knows that children who have access to books and who are read to early have a much better chance for success in school. Imagination Library is an integral component of United Way’s work aggressively addressing early learning.

How Does It Work?
For the initial investment of $30 you can be the local champion for one year for a child in the tri-county, ensuring that he or she receives one book a month. For a committed investment of $150, you will build that child a 5-year library! Carefully selected books will be delivered directly
to each child’s home until that child turns 5 years old. United Way and Imagination Library will handle the logistics while you can relax knowing that you are empowering our children to read.

Steering Committee

YLP Steering Committee is having its monthly meeting at 7:30 on Thursday October 1, 2009. Please let us know if you are interested in attending. Send RSVPs to Monica@myunitedway.com by Wednesday at noon.

The Steering Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 am in the United Way Board Room unless otherwise specified. Anyone interested in learning more about the Young Leaders in Philanthropy is welcome to participate in this monthly event.

Join us for Lunch & Learn

Please make plans to join us for YLP’S next Lunch & Learn on Thursday, September 10th (11:30 - 1:00) in the United Way Board Room (843 N. President St., Jackson 39202).

The guest speaker for this session is Ira Murray, United Way’s Vice President of Community Impact, who will talk about the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program that put $3.8 million dollars back into the community last year and how United Way plans to grow the program this tax season.

Brown bags are welcome!

RSVP: Monica Daniels (monica@myunitedway.com; 601-965-1346) by September 8th to secure a prepared lunch. We understand that plans change. If you reserve a lunch but cannot make the meeting, please try to remember to cancel so United Way does not incur unneccessary costs. Thanks!

YLP Social at Schimmel's was lots of fun! Thanks to all who came out (despite the rain) and brought items for Labor of Love.

Next time you're in Schimmel's say a special thanks for the delicous appetizers.

HOW I LIVE UNITED VIDEO CONTEST IS NOW OPEN

Get out your cell phones and digital cameras because it's time to make your video for the first-ever HOW I LIVE UNITED video contest. You could win a 32" flat screen TV donated by Best Buy!

We're looking for great stories from great people who are making a difference in our community. Show us how you're getting involved through volunteering, investing in you community, or speaking out on an issue you feel passionate about.

Go to http://www.myunitedway/ for instructions and other details. Submission deadline is October 16--so hurry!

Day of Action 2009- Big Success

Almost 250 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds rolled up their sleeves for a day of hard work at this year's 8 Day of Action Sites. With over a 100 more volunteers than last year and productive work being done across the tri-county area, the Young Professionals in Philanthropy and the United Way can be proud of the community effort towards a better capital area.

Volunteers met afterwards to relax at Hal & Mal's while enjoying free food and drinks, a free concert by JamHaus, and an address by MS Supreme Court Justice James Graves.

2009 Calendar of Events

MAY 7, 2009:
YLP Steering Committee meeting.
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. • United Way Boardroom
Anyone interesting in serving on the committee is invited to attend.

MAY 21, 2009:
Soap for Hope, a personal care item supply drive • United Way Day
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. • Trustmark Park

JUNE 27, 2009:
Day of Action • Focus: Education
Details to be determined.

JULY 23, 2009:
Lunch & Learn • Focus: Leadership Development
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • United Way Boardroom

AUGUST 2009:
Day of Action • Focus: Health Care and Safety Net Services
Details to be determined.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2009:
Lunch & Learn • Focus: Community Impact
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • United Way Boardroom

OCTOBER 2009:
Day of Action • Focus: Income
Details to be determined.

NOVEMBER 19, 2009:
Lunch & Learn • Focus: Leadership Development
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • United Way Boardroom

DECEMBER 10, 2009:
Holiday Mixer