San Bernardino, CA, August 11, 2011 – Arrowhead United Way (AUW) received a $40,000 corporate gift from Southern California Edison (SCE) to help fund critical programs in the local community.  AUW and SCE are longtime partners and have a strong working relationship.  Beverly Powell, the Region Manager/Public Affairs for SCE, has served on the Board of Directors of AUW for several years.

SCE’s areas of priority that focus on education and the underserved align seamlessly with AUW’s focus on education, income, and health.  SCE invests in education because it wants to ensure that students graduate with the academic and technical skills necessary to succeed in a competitive market.  SCE also places a high priority on enhancing the ability of the underserved, disadvantaged, and vulnerable communities to address needs and create opportunities for the future.

AUW will use the gift to fund programs to assist the local area’s underserved population in education, income, and health.  The education programs improve access to education and promote academic success.  The income programs bring financial stability by assisting with basic needs, legal help, job placement programs, and financial education.  The health programs increase awareness about health risks, improve access to healthcare, and encourage healthy behavior.

AUW is a volunteer driven organization that actively supports health and human services by focusing on education, income, and health.  These services address the underlying causes of the community’s issues and create lasting change. The organization was established in 1891 and is led by prominent respected community leaders; it is one of the oldest United Ways in the country.  AUW encourages individuals to become more involved in the community by giving, advocating, and volunteering.  For more information about how to become involved with AUW, please call (909) 884-9441 or visit www.ArrowheadUnitedWay.org.