United Way Young Leaders Society

Upcoming Events

Join us for the first 2010 United Way Young Leaders Chapter Meeting. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate YLS accomplishments of 2009 and learn about upcoming events for 2010. Most importantly, this is an opportunity for you to share what events, activities, and partnerships in which you would like to see YLS involved. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, February 23 from 6-8pm, and be a part of the discussion! 

You're invited to a fun and rewarding weekend get-a-way that will include a guest speaker Friday, informal networking, a great volunteer project, leadership/team building activities, and an optional wine tasting on the return home Sunday. We hope you can make it! 

Member Profile: Jade Gonzales

Jade Gonzales, otherwise known as Jade-of-all-trades, is a Graphic Designer and User Interface Designer for Cary Design Group. Her creative talent spans from fine art to the technical, with strong focus on brand and identity work.

Initially torn between her right and left brain capabilities, she entered the University of Oregon as a biology major and left as a design major. She graduated as a Presidential Scholar with honors from University of Oregon and studied with the Rhode Island School of Design’s Summer Institute of Graphic Design.

Jade is a native Oregonian, born and raised in Hillsboro on a Christmas tree farm where she spent her free time exploring the great outdoors and studying piano. Jade is thoroughly enjoying her involvement with the United Way YLS, particularly meeting an interesting mix of new people and giving back to her community through YLS service events. In addition to her involvement with YLS, Jade is currently serving as the President Elect on the YWCA’s Leadership Board.

Jade lives in the Goose Hollow in Portland with her husband Eric and large black Boxador (that’s a Boxer/Lab mix in case you were wondering).

Volunteer Event Recap

Thank you to our YLS members who participated in the MLK Weekend of Service volunteer event organized by United Way and HandsOn Portland. We had a mix of current and new YLS members volunteer to plant 14 of the 100 total trees for the event! The MLK Weekend of Service mobilized approximately 2,500 volunteers throughout the four-county area.

November 2009 Lunch with Leaders

YLS had the chance to meet and speak with Tim Hartnett, Executive Director of CODA Inc.  CODA, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is one of the largest drug addition therapy and mental health nonprofit agencies in the Portland area.  Mr. Hartnett (standing, third from left) shared his thoughts on leadership, philanthropy, and state government at the lunch.  Thank you for those who attended, as well as Mr. Hartnett for his time and knowledge!