United Way of Greater Greensboro Announces $11,200,000 Kickoff Goal to Build on What’s Working in Our Community
United Way of Greater Greensboro held their annual Kickoff Celebration today at Clara J. Peck Elementary School.
Campaign Chairman Mike Bumpass, President & CEO of GMA/First Point explained the goal is a 3% increase over last year’s adjusted base, or $264,000 new dollars. “Here’s what we’re hearing from companies and individual donors: we think we can do what we did last year and are considering an increase above that. We also have received some increases in corporate giving where there were decreases last year. This gives us hope, but we still consider this a stretch goal.”
United Way believes this goal is necessary as unemployment rates continue to remain high, so it is important to help people who need immediate support and provide solutions to longer-term community problems as identified in the VOICES.CHOICES. Human Services Study conducted earlier this year. The four issues of need and concern are: financial stability of individual and families, access to comprehensive healthcare services, successful school experiences for every child and nurturing children and youth for positive development.
“United Way invests in successful programs that help thousands of individuals,”said Otis Wilson, a community volunteer who chairs the fund distribution process for United Way dollars. “No other organization in Greensboro is better able to recognize and respond to needs, evaluate programs, and make an impact as quickly and efficiently as United Way,” Mr. Wilson said.
To emphasize this point, United Way presented the successful results from 9 of their 66 funded programs. They included:
- Black Child Development of Greensboro’s Spirit of Excellence
Result: 92% of the students who participated in the Great Leaps curriculum improved their reading by at least one grade level.
- Thriving at 3
Result: Thriving at 3’s direct services provider, the Center for New North Carolinians, reported that 75% of children served through the direct services program of Thriving 3 are developmentally on target.
- Communities In Schools of Greater Greensboro’s Success in Schools
Result: 100% of eligible students in the program received their diploma.
- Salvation Army of Greensboro’s Center of Hope Crisis Assistance
Result: 91% of clients in the long-term housing program found permanent, affordable housing and maintained if for over six months.
- Senior Resources of Guilford’s Community-Based & Volunteer Services
Result: 61% of the seniors in the Community Nutrition program reported that because of their participation in the program, they believed that their health has improved and they feel better.
- Reading Connections’ Adult Basic Literacy
Result: 100% of adult literacy students with a goal of gaining employment got a new job.
- Triad Health Project’s Direct Client Services
Result: 90% of the clients report that Triad Health Project’s Direct Services maximizes their well-being by providing consistent access to medication, education about the medication, and transportation to doctor’s appointments.
- Adult Center for Enrichment’s Adult Day Services
Result: 95% of participants had no increase in emergency care episode, exceeding their 72% target. 100% of participants report that Adult Day Services enriches their lives.
- Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association’s Infant Toddler Early Intervention
Result: 100% of the 336 infants/children in the Infant Toddler Early Intervention program have increased/strengthened cognitive skills.
The backdrop of Peck Elementary School presents a clear example why United Way support is needed and how it’s making an impact. The needs are great. 93% of the school children are on free or reduced lunch. United Way responds to the immediate need by launching a backpack program, organized by United Way’s African American Leadership committee, nearby this summer and invests in the Success at Schools program, which is coming to Peck for the first time. Jimmi Williams, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Greater Greensboro comments, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Peck Elementary to the CIS family of schools and programs. We look forward to great success at Peck with our Success at School after-school enrichment program in partnership with the United Way. And, we look forward to establishing a whole-school presence at Peck including health care services, reading tutorials and other resources as needed by children and families. Under the leadership of the dynamic Ms. Francine Mallory, Peck will become an outstanding CIS school site, and a wonderful example of school-community partnership.”
United Way has reorganized much of its volunteer fundraising structure to take advantage of more opportunities to grow the campaign. Mike Bumpass has recruited a 28 member campaign cabinet that is target key areas of Greensboro, including the airport area, and new approaches to various groups of professionals. Large companies and major donors remain a critical base of support. “I am especially proud of the team that has joined me in a commitment to do what is best for the community and do whatever’s possible to reach this goal,” said Mike Bumpass.
Other strategies to increase support include a Caring Card for every donor who gives $120 or more to United Way. The donor will be entitled to year- long discounts at more than 50 area merchants in Greensboro and High Point. New donors to the Cornerstone Society with a gift of $1,000 or more, will be eligible for Carolina Panthers Club Level tickets, thanks to a donation by an anonymous donor.
“Perhaps the most important incentive or reason to give is our increased effort to explain exactly where the money goes, one outstanding program at a time, and talk about the lives changed as a result,” said Keith Barsuhn United way President & CEO. “We are prepared to show you how every dollar matters, and every dollar is critically needed.”
United Way of Greater Greensboro is a leadership organization that is fortunate to operate in a community that has a proven tradition of caring. United Way supports 66 programs and initiatives through 30 member agencies and partners that address critical community needs in the areas of Education, Income/Self-Sufficiency and Health.
Clara J. Peck Elementary School has a wonderfully diverse student population. 66 % of the students are African-America, 16% are Hispanic, 8 % are Caucasian and another 2.5% are Asian. The remaining 8 % is of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Peck was recognized as being one of the top most improved schools in GCS over the past several years. Also, Peck was designated a Signature School of the Triad in 2002 and 2005.
