Four-years-ago, Xochitl (SO-SHE) Hernandez-Alvarez opened her own party supplies store in Denver called ‘La Piñata Loca’, selling piñatas.  Those colorful paper maché sculptures you often see at children’s birthday parties filled with candy.

Business was good right off the bat. 

“I remember that my first piñata order was for a five-foot horse and then the second year a major order of 100 piñatas for the Mexican Consulate,” recalls Xochitl.  “I even was asked to find Shamrock piñatas for the Irish Festival!”

Not long after that Hernandez-Alvarez says business tapered off to a trickle.  She was worried that she would lose her store.  Then one day, she heard about a small business owners’ event in her neighborhood and figured she had nothing to lose by attending.

It was at that event that she met Margarita Ruiz from Mile High United Way and where she learned about the Individual Development Account or IDA program. These matched savings accounts enable hardworking Coloradans to save money for post-secondary education, a down payment on a home or starting a small business. 

IDAs provide $4 for every $1 saved, and savers must complete basic financial education courses as well as additional classes related to their savings goal. 

With Margarita’s encouragement, Xochitl applied immediately. 

“I saw it as the way to save the business,” she says.

Over the next few months, Xochitl saved what she could.  She attended the business and financial education classes.  She even developed a business plan.  Then the day came for her first withdrawal from the account.

“I couldn’t believe it,” says Hernandez-Alvarez.  “I remember opening the check over and over again!”

Xochitl used that first check to stock her store.  And, she’s been saving through her IDA ever since.

“Now, every penny that comes in is a penny that can be saved,” she says.

Last year, ‘La Piñata Loca’ won a Westword Best of Award as, “The Best Place In Denver To Buy A Piñata And To Get A Divorce”.

Turns out, Xochitl found a unique way to diversify her business.  She is also qualified to assist couples with the paperwork needed to file for divorce. 

“You file for divorce, you get a free piñata,” Xochitl says.

The Morgridge Family Foundation has committed $500,000 to Mile High United Way to improve reading skills for children in metro Denver schools. The generous gift will fund the Reading Plus^® system in private, charter, public schools and in public libraries.

Testimonials:

Assistant Principal:   “After years of teaching fluency orally, we have finally found what we’ve been missing! I’m so excited to be using a program that helps students make the transition to silent reading…we see the results on their test scores!”

5th Grade Student:   “I love Reading Plus because I learn more. I am in Level B and I cannot wait until I get to Level C. I did not love reading before; now, I love reading because of Reading Plus. Thank you Reading Plus.”

Just because a student can read out loud does not necessarily mean that they can read silently and comprehend what is on the page. Imagine being able to see how your child reads. Reading Plus^®  can show you. The innovative program assesses a student’s silent reading skills through the use of high tech optical tracking. The technology actually tracks eye movement as a student reads silently! The results of the assessments are then used to develop a program to build solid silent reading skills that form the foundation for educational success at all levels.  

Along with the gift to Mile High United Way and Reading Plus^®, the Morgridge Family Foundation is issuing a challenge to the community to become involved with the program. Collective giving through Mile High United Way multiplies not only dollars that are put to use, but the power those dollars have to achieve positive, lasting change in our community.  

About the Morgridge Family Foundation:

The Morgridge Family Foundation strives to be a leader in venture philanthropy so that the neediest of the needy will have greater opportunities to receive quality education.

A packed house of more than 150 greeted Qwest Chairman and CEO, Ed Mueller at Mile High United Way’s First Tuesday Breakfast at the Four Points Sheraton on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

A member of the Tocqueville Society, Mueller spoke of his passion for giving back to the community.  He highlighted Qwest’s successful United Way workplace giving campaign which was up by 13% this year. 

“I wish I could stand here and say that we achieved more than 90% participation, but we are working on it,” said Mueller.  “What I can say is that more of those in our Qwest family who are fortunate gave more to United Way and that is wonderful!”

Mueller challenged the audience to join him and his Qwest colleagues to support Mile High United Way in its mission to improve the lives of every individual and family in our community through the three interconnected initiatives of School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency.

“I still have joy, “says Anthony Sims. 

And, that’s saying a lot considering Anthony is newly homeless.

Last year, he was employed as an IT/Tech Support professional.  Then the company he was working for closed up shop.

Since then, he’s gone from temporary work, to part-time jobs and this past February he lost his apartment.  Right now, he’s spends nights at a friend’s house in his sleeping bag.  But, even he knows that can’t last forever.

“I look for a job every day,” says Anthony.  “I know I’ll find my niche.” 

That optimism in the face of adversity is what brought Anthony to Project Homeless Connect at the University of Denver on Friday, April 24, 2009.

Project Homeless Connect is a partnership between DU, Denver’s Road Home and the Mile High United Way.  It serves as a one-stop shop for homeless individuals and families to access more than 60 Denver-area service organizations. Services include basic medical care, food stamp benefits, veteran’s services, resumé assistance, legal advice, haircuts and basic hygiene products, among others.

“I think this is really, really cool,” says Anthony in a crowded gymnasium, surrounded by hundreds of homeless men, women and children and countless volunteers like his personal guide through the process, J. Brady.

“I volunteered because it’s the right thing to do,” says Brady.  “Whatever I can do to help Anthony get the services he needs, I’ll do.”

By the end of the day, 515 homeless clients, including Anthony, received services.  Of that number, 122 were children and 66 were entire families looking for help. 

“I never imagined that I would be homeless.  Not at 47, no sir,” says Anthony.  “But, I have a plan.”

Sims says he will use the services he discovered at Project Homeless Connect to build his ‘new’ future.

And, he has one piece of advice to leave with us all.  He says not to assume anything about anyone based on how they appear.  Anthony says so many people tell him that he doesn’t look like he needs any help, that he’s doesn’t look homeless.

“What do you need to look like?” he asks. 

Then, without missing a beat, Anthony picks up his paperwork, taps J. on the shoulder and the pair head off into the Project Homeless Connect crowd to finish their important work.

“I got my GED in 1995 and, now, in 2009, I’m earning my Bachelor’s degree,” says Mercedes.  “I am so grateful to Mile High United Way for helping me reach my goal.”  Click here and read how Mile High United Way’s L:earn program helped me. . .