About WE Connect
Maria Shriver’s WE Connect campaign is a pioneering public/private partnership designed to help California’s working families become more financially secure by connecting them to important programs and resources. Several of these programs, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), are available and accessible to working families but many are not taking full advantage of them. This leaves over a billion dollars on the table each year that could have been used by working families right here in California. This statewide effort will connect families with the information and tools they need to take full advantage of these valuable resources, empowering them to live their dreams.

Campaign Elements
The WE Connect campaign is one of the most innovative statewide efforts promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit. Using all available channels, this campaign will reach out to the 600,000 families eligible in California who currently do not file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and connect them with other key programs and services. The campaign is partnering with community organizations, statewide programs and major corporations to reach working families where they shop, eat, work, live and learn. To achieve this, the WE Connect campaign will include the following components:

www.WEConnect.net
This new website serves as a one-stop-shop connecting Californians to programs and services for which they may be eligible. WEConnect.net will highlight programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Golden State Advantage Cards, Lifeline Telephone Service, CARE for lower cost gas and electric, California’s Low-Cost Auto Insurance and College Savings Accounts (529 plans).

WEb Connector
This new online tool, developed by our partner Intuit for this campaign, will help working families determine exactly which programs they may be eligible for and how to apply - all with the click of a mouse. The WEb Connector will be made available at the community events, on the WE Connect website, and to community based-organizations statewide.

WE Connect Community Events
Specially designed WE Connect Community Events have and will continue to provide working families and individuals with one-on-one application assistance at no cost to them. Individuals and families will be able to learn about and apply for key services and programs while having the opportunity to have their taxes prepared for free.

WE Connect Neighborhood Center
WE Connect will help Neighborhood Centers provide a more holistic approach to helping and empowering families. These Centers will give access to families to computers and volunteers who will help them navigate the WE Connect website and WEb Connector tool to learn about programs they may be eligible for. The Centers will provide year-round support to families who need it most and an opportunity for WE Connect to become a more permanent part of California's communities. The first WE Connect Neighborhood Center was established in partnership with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County on April 15, 2009. WE Connect will expand this effort in the coming year.

Connecting Working Families in the Workplace
WE Connect is reaching out for the first time to working families through their workplace. The campaign will provide information to a network of small businesses, business associations, unions, and small business development centers to educate small business owners and engage them in educating employees. Materials available will include “Connector” tool kits, workplace posters and brochures, payroll inserts and email blasts.

We Connect Sunday
This one day, statewide event allows WE Connect to reach out to congregations in communities across California as a unique way of connecting families to information that could significantly improve their lives. Through unique media partnerships in regions across the state, we have been able to spread the word to over 370 places of worship reaching tens of thousands of Californians through bulletin inserts and the distribution of our bilingual supplements - all free of charge. Pastors, priests, rabbis and other religious leaders are also encouraged to include WE Connect’s message in their sermons, reaching out on a more personal level to their worshipers.

About the Programs

Money
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit and the Golden State Advantage Card help working families put money in their pocket and build their savings. Applying for the EITC alone can mean anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Programs like California’s Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE), Lifeline and California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance can help working families save on their monthly bills.

Opportunity
Education and job training provide working families with opportunities to get ahead and find better paying jobs. Icanaffordcollege.com, ScholarShare 529 college savings plans and the Employment Development Department are just some of the most helpful resources for information about saving and paying for college and job training opportunities.

Dreams
WE Connect provides the programs and services that can help families get ahead and reach their dreams. The success stories of working families touched by these programs and this campaign are an essential part of the WE Connect efforts and working families are encouraged to share their story.

Become a Connector
WE can do better together. Connecting working families to resources that matter is something anyone can do. WE Connect is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Those who want to get involved can join Maria and so many others who are helping to get word out by becoming a Connector.

About the WE Connect Partners
The WE Connect campaign is partnering with community organizations, statewide programs, unions, small businesses and major corporations to connect with working families. WE Connect partners include: Intuit, Bank of America, Legal Aid Society of Orange County, Central California Legal Services, California Volunteers, AmeriCorps, California Department of Social Services, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, United Way of San Francisco, La Opinión, ClearChannel, California First 5, SEIU, AFSCME, Save the Children, AT&T, PG&E, Sempra Energy Utilities, California Black Media Association, California Network of Small Business Development Centers, and Wal-Mart, in addition to over sixty regional organizations across the state.

Other Helpful Resources

For More Information:
Maricela Rodriguez : maricela@weconnect.net
Margaret Lyons : margaret@weconnect.net
Erin Moos : erin@weconnect.net

Press Contact
Francisco Castillo : 916.445.4571 or francisco.castillo@gov.ca.gov