Matching fund aims

Oct 13, 2009 (San Gabriel Valley Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- AVY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- United Way of Greater Los Angeles is on a mission to eradicate poverty.

And the nonprofit agency has found true allies in philanthropists Peter W. Mullin, chairman emeritus of MullinTBG, and Charles D. Miller, retired chairman and CEO of Pasadena-based Avery Dennison Corp.

Last month, the United Way announced the creation of a $1 million Mullin-Miller Match Fund. Mullin and Miller will match dollar for dollar any new donations made to the United Way's Pathways Out of Poverty Plan, up to $1 million.

In fact, they already have.

The Mullin-Miller Match Fund was launched recently at a dinner party at Miller's house.

"Peter Mullin pledged $500,000 at the kickoff and I matched it," Miller said. "So we have a $1 million challege. We needed that challege to get new money, and it's caused quite a bit of excitment. One person wrote a check for $10,000 right there at the party."

Miller, who still serves on Avery Dennison's board of directors, said poverty is a growing problem in Southern California -- and recessionary job losses aren't helping matters.

"Our unemployment is over 12 percent," he said. "I've been active with the United Way for over 20 years. I care about the United Way."

The Pathways Out of Poverty Plan is designed to create family and social stability, as well as a foundation for long-term economic growth.

The United Way of Greater Los Angeles is looking to raise a total of $26.6 million

for the program over a 10-year period.

"In the past 12 months, Los Angeles County has seen a drastic increase of people desperately needing assistance, including families looking toward services to help with housing and heathcare," Elise Buik, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, said in a statement.

Buik said the money will help catalyze the critical resources necessary to solve our region's most pressing problems, and help all residents realize the promise of our community."

The Mullin-Miller Match Fund will allow the Pathways plan to:

Continue to invest in programs that provide permanent housing to the homeless population

Provide academically enriched afterschool programs to children of low-income families

Train more people for living wage jobs, with career ladders, in future growth industries

Help working poor families access much needed tax refunds, as well as provide financial literacy training and access to savings programs

Educate and engage Angelenos through their workplaces about the solutions to poverty in our community

Those wishing to donate, can call (888) 243-5752 or log onto www.homewalkla.org.

kevin.smith@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2701

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