April 2022

Rocking and Learning

Celebrating
Literacy

Spotlighting
Decie Autin

211: Always Open. Always Helping.

Hitting High Notes

On March 4th, almost 700 amazing women (and men!) donning leather jackets and “Bey-worthy” accessories gathered for the annual Women Who Rock luncheon. This awe-inspiring luncheon raises money for the United Way Women Who Rock Child Care Scholarship that underwrites child care and resources for young parents committed to pursuing a post-secondary education.

Special thanks go to Retha Nichole, the keynote speaker, for inspiring the audience, the generous event sponsors, and all of the guests for their donations that will turn dreams into reality. YOU ROCK!

Learning While Lunching

The stress of COVID-19 has helped remove the stigma of discussing mental health and openly asking questions about counseling and available services. That’s why we invited Dr. Crystal Collier and United Way’s own Jessica Davison to talk about this timely subject at our first virtual lunch and learn on March 7th.

Jessica is working with partners to design United Way’s Integrated Client Journey, which pairs clients with a coach to help them develop their own personalized pathway based on their goals and needs, and orchestrate services to make it easy for clients to get comprehensive support. Services include financial stability services, supported by physical and behavioral health care, early childhood education, and youth development, and a foundation of safety net services that help people take care of their basic and immediate needs. Jessica reviewed the importance of services that will help clients improve their physical health, resolve individual or family mental health issues, and treat substance use disorders, and how addressing these challenges better positions families to achieve financial stability and their goals.

Dr. Collier spoke about adolescent and young adult brain development and how early awareness and treatment can prevent risky behavior later. As a therapist, researcher, and educator, she’s written her first book, The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide, which is available on her website.

Celebrating Literacy

On March 2nd, WI’s own Toi Anderson brought the book “Dragons Love Tacos” to life as she read it to students at HISD’s Lantrip Elementary School. Toi and 70 other United Way volunteers promoted literacy by reading with children at four elementary schools as part of Read Across America Day. The day is designed to encourage students to grab a book and read for fun!

A total of 1,134 Houston-area students were also gifted a book from United Way’s MLK Day of Service Book Drive.

Spotlighting Decie Autin

What keeps WI Steering Committee member Decie Autin busy and inspired? Globetrotting as Vice President, Central Project Management, for ExxonMobil’s Global Projects organization. Reading. Birdwatching. Here’s more about Decie.

What’s your favorite book?
Well, I love to read and there are so many notable options! I can’t not mention the Bible, the greatest story ever told. "Goodnight Moon" is a clever children’s book that I enjoy reading with my granddaughter. My bookshelves are filled with “How To’s” like birding field guides, cookbooks, and selections from my book club that broaden my exposure to new and interesting ideas. A recent favorite is "Becoming Duchess Goldblatt" because it is so unique and fun. Read it to find out why!

What advice did your mom give you?
Be grateful for all the talents, opportunities, and family/friends you have. Take care of them and they will take care of you and make you happy!

Why do you give to United Way?
My strategy is giving to my church, alma mater Georgia Tech, and United Way. It makes me feel good to know that my United Way gift supports a broad cross-section of community programs and helps people go from surviving to thriving.

211: Always Open. Always Helping.

Your gift to United Way helps ensure that a dedicated and compassionate team of specialists are supporting our neighbors in need via the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, the largest helpline of its kind in the U.S.

This free service, available by phone and text message 24-hours a day, 365-days a year, connects people with critical services like utility assistance, food, medical services, and rent, mortgage, and housing assistance.

Discover the impact the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE makes by visiting the online dashboard, which is updated Monday through Friday at 10 a.m.

Upcoming Events

Alexis de Tocqueville Society Appreciation Dinner
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m
The Ion
4201 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002

In-Home Happy Hour – Bellaire/West U
RSVP
Tara Nutik
April 14, 2022
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
3703 Jardin St.
Houston, TX 77005

In-Home Happy Hour – The Woodlands, Spring, North Houston
RSVP
Renee Havrilla
April 27, 2022
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
5 Cedarwing Lane
The Woodlands, TX 77380

WI Member Year-End Campaign Celebration
RSVP
May 26, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Amegy Tower
1717 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027

Women’s Initiative ADT Personally-Funded Trip
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hotel: La Fonda on the Plaza
Friday, July 8 – Sunday, July 10
RSVP using online portal. There is a non-refundable $100 trip fee due when you confirm for this trip.

Connect with Us

Stay current on events and happenings, connect with fellow members, and learn more about the impact we make together in our Women's Initiative Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Access to these sites is limited to members only. To get your first-time entry, email Isha Baker.

About the Women's Initiative

Women’s Initiative members enjoy engaging networking events, personal and professional development programs, and volunteer opportunities where they learn about community issues and the impact United Way programs make. WI members make personal gifts to United Way of $2,500 or more annually and collectively contributed more than $4.7 million in 2020-2021.