United Way Days of Caring kicks off today

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Hundreds of volunteers will help make Tucson a better place to live during southern Arizona's largest single volunteer event.

This morning, employees from local companies will give hours and hours of their time during the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona's Days of Caring event.

The event kicks off today in downtown Tucson. Volunteers will then move to several different sites around town to work on projects at local schools, child care centers, and nonprofit agencies. A second Days of Caring event will happen on Saturday, November 7.

Here are where several volunteer groups will be today:

• The University of Arizona Eller College Management will be a the Educational Enrichment Foundation and TUSD Clothing Bank Donation Center to sort and clean donated clothes for display.
• Quick Trip volunteers will clean up a TUSD school campus.
• IBM employees will help the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona with garden preparation, planting, harvesting, and weeding.

Volunteers are also expected to help paint and remodel a community room in CODAC's "Comin' Home" program. It's a safe and affordable housing and drug and alcohol treatment program for homeless veterans. The program believes in the model "housing first," making sure the veterans have a stable and safe place to stay.
 
Veterans are referred from the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program or the VA Substance Abuse Treatment Program. Problems with both substance use and psychiatric disorders.

Program managers say it provides more than a roof over their heads. The program helps veterans with job skills, rebuild their finances, reunite with family, and transition into permanent housing. It also provides case management, counseling services, and life skills training.
 
Since 2011, CODAC's "Comin' Home" program has received several donations from United Way. The money has purchased new computers they can use to search for permanent housing, apply for jobs, and enroll in school. It also went to buying new furniture and appliances to replace broken items, installing locks on bedroom doors for security, and building a community garden.

Not able to volunteer today? You can donate to United Way by clicking here - http://www.unitedwaytucson.org/give
 
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