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Earlier this month, Women United hosted the annual Power of Your Purse gala at the Asher Adams. Thanks to our generous donors, sponsors, and attendees, Power of Your Purse raised $361,349.44! Proceeds from the silent auction and paddle raise will benefit Promise Baby & You and the Deborah S. Bayle Scholarship Fund for Youth, the two priority programs chosen by Women United. We are so grateful for our supporters who continue to show up and make a difference in our community.
In other news, we've moved! Our new address is 515 East 100 South, 12th Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, also known as 515 Arbor. We are excited to start this new chapter in a space that aligns with our mission, conserves our resources, and supports our team so we can continue serving Utah kids and families. Read on to learn more about the launch of The Basics Utah, our federal advocacy work, and the incredible impact of the Women United donor network.
Sincerely,
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Patrick McIntyre
Chief Development & Communications Officer
United Way of Salt Lake |
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PROGRAM UPDATE
Early Literacy Lunch Celebrates Launch of The Basics Utah
On Monday, community partners gathered for the Early Literacy Lunch as part of a movement to transform early literacy outcomes for Utah students. The event marked the official launch of The Basics Utah — an initiative that provides resources and strategies for parents and caregivers to support brain development and school readiness for children ages 0-5. Focused on five simple, evidence-based principles, The Basics Utah helps families build meaningful learning moments into everyday routines. Community partners are already incorporating The Basics into the curriculum for Promise Baby & You, and we will continue to expand the initiative to reach parents and caregivers across the state.
Attendees at the Early Literacy Lunch packed 60 The Basics Utah kits in English and Spanish for Promise Baby & You families. These kits utilize The Basics Principles and help ensure children and families have the tools and support they need to reach early learning milestones and succeed in school. With continued community support, initiatives like The Basics Utah and Promise Baby & You are creating brighter futures for all kids and families in Utah.
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Leadership in Action
Jamie Issowits — Chair of Women United and member of the United Way of Salt Lake Board of Directors — leads with heart and purpose, empowering others to join her in building stronger, thriving communities. Her leadership drives priority initiatives such as Promise Baby & You and the Deborah S. Bayle Scholarship, supporting local students throughout their education journeys.
Jamie built and strengthened key committees for Women United members, creating more pathways for members to lead, serve, and get involved. Her organizational vision and ability to see the bigger picture has elevated Women United into a network where women lead together to improve outcomes for children and families across the community.
"I love working with this group of passionate women — they make it easy to lead as we all count on each other to support the mission," said Jamie. "We know when we say we are going to support something it is always going to be successful because of the commitment of each member of Women United." |
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Women United Leading the Way
This year's Power of Your Purse Gala was a success thanks to the dedication of Women United and members of the Power of Your Purse committee. This inspiring group of leaders, volunteers, and advocates began meeting regularly six months before the gala to select a theme, coordinate logistics, and create an unforgettable evening.
We are deeply grateful to the Women United leaders, committee members, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters whose passion and generosity made this year's gala possible. Their commitment to building brighter futures for children and families continues to make a lasting impact in our community. |
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ADVOCACY UPDATE
Advocating for Utah Kids and Families in Washington, D.C.
During the last week of April, United Way of Salt Lake staff and Women United Global Leadership Council member Amber Gracanin joined other United Way leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C. for the 2026 United Way Worldwide Advocacy Forum & Capitol Hill Day. They met with members of the Utah delegation's staff — including staff from the offices of Sen. Curtis and Reps. Moore, Kennedy, and Maloy — to talk about policies that impact Utah kids and families.
During the meetings, our advocates shared information about the critical services 211 Utah provides for constituents in crisis or difficult circumstances. They asked Congress members to support the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, which would provide a federal funding stream for 211 systems nationwide and ensure more Utahns receive support when they need it most. Our advocates also asked our members of Congress to strengthen food security through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and invest in housing and utility assistance programs to help address energy insecurity and housing instability in our state and nationwide. |
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
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Stuff the Bus Supply Drives
June – August
Stuff the Bus is just around the corner! This summer, help gather school supplies for students in the new school year.
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