United Way of Greater Greensboro

Women’s Leadership invites you to participate in a week of volunteer activities, from 1 hour to a full day, that impact women and families. These volunteer opportunities are open to all who want to make a difference – men and women!

To sign up for a volunteer opportunity, click the linked time slot and complete the registration form.

Click here to download an overview schedule for Week of Caring opportunities.

Assemble Materials for Bereavement Camp

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Up to 4 volunteers are needed to assemble materials for the Wish Ceremony during the Kids Path Bereavement Camp.

• Wednesday 4/24 – 1:00-5:00pm

Assist Young Children in Early Literacy Program

Raising A Reader Program – Claremont Courts Community Center, 2702 Patio Place, Greensboro
4 Volunteers are needed to assist preschool children with simple learning activities.

• Thursday 4/25 – Noon-1:30pm

Beautification Projects

Volunteer Center of Greensboro – Meet at Wiley Elementary School, 600 West Terrell Street, Greensboro
Several volunteers are needed to build picnic tables, bookcases, and paint murals. Wear comfortable clothes to work on. Materials are provided.

• Tuesday 4/23 – 9:00am-11:00am, 11:00am – 1:00pm, and 1:00pm-3:00pm

Guilford Child Development, 1200 Arlington Street, Greensboro
4 to 6 Volunteers are needed to paint an office, clean interior windows, and reorganize the agency resource center. Materials are provided.

• Friday 4/26 – 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm

Blood Donor Days

American Red Cross, 1501 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro

Volunteers needed to donate blood throughout the day

• Thursday 4/25 –  Click here to register for a specific donation time.

Volunteers needed to work in the blood donation canteen serving snacks

• Thursday 4/25 – 12:30pm-3:30pm and 3:30pm-7:30pm

Volunteers needed to greet blood donors

• Thursday 4/25 – 12:30pm-3:30pm and 3:30pm-7:30pm

Collect Poetry for “A Poem in my Pocket”

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
This volunteer opportunity is to collect poems for “A Poem in my Pocket.” Write or print poems on individual pieces of paper to make a difference for patients and family members during difficult times. This project can be completed off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.

Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

Create Crafts to Decorate Beacon Place

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed to create spring crafts or decorations for the exterior of patients’ doors, bulletin boards, and the nurses’ station. This project can be completed on-site or off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

Create “Worry Jars” for Kids Path Support Groups

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed to create “Worry Jars”, a therapeutic tool made from recycled jars/containers used at Kids Path for children to write down their worries. This project can be completed off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

Decorate Pillow Cases for Kids Path Patients and Clients

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed to decorate pillow cases with fabric paint to use as a therapeutic tool at Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Greensboro’s Kids Path program. This project can be completed off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

Deliver Meals to Homebound Individuals

Senior Resources of Guilford – Meet at Peace United Church of Christ, 2714 West Market Street, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed with their own cars to deliver meals to homebound individuals

• Monday 4/22 – 1 Volunteer 9:30am-11:30am
• Wednesday 4/24 – 2 Volunteers 9:30am-11:30am
• Friday 4/26 – 4 Volunteers 9:30am-11:30am

Donate Shelter Items for Domestic Violence Survivors

Hold a supply drive for families at Family Service of the Piedmont’s domestic violence shelter, Clara House. Items requested include Walmart gift cards, body bath towels, eating utensils, plastic tableware, and large size toiletries.

• Bring requested items to United Way of Greater Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St, Greensboro Monday 4/22 through Friday 4/26 9:00am-5:00pm

Inspire Teens with Your Career Story

YWCA Greensboro, 4002-E Spring Garden Street, Greensboro
5 volunteers needed to speak to teen and young mothers and share your career story

• Tuesday 4/23 – 5:00pm

Mock Interviews

Women’s Resource Center, 628 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
3 volunteers are needed to conduct Mock Interviews with clients to prepare them for job interviews. Volunteers must have Human Resource or interviewing applicants experience.

• Tuesday 4/23 – 9:30am-11:30am

Prepare Meals

YWCA Greensboro, 4002-E Spring Garden Street, Greensboro
A group of volunteers are needed to prepare, provide, and serve a meal to 30 teen and young adult mothers and their 20 children.

• Tuesday 4/23 – 6:00pm

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
A group of volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a home cooked lunch or dinner to Beacon Place patients and their family members.

• Sunday 4/21 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Monday 4/22 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Tuesday 4/23 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Wednesday 4/24 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Thursday 4/25 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Friday 4/26 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Saturday 4/27 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm

A group of volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a treat to Beacon Place patients and their family members.

• Sunday 4/21 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Monday 4/22 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Tuesday 4/23 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Wednesday 4/24 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Thursday 4/25 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Friday 4/26 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Saturday 4/27 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm

Volunteers are needed to prepare baked goodies or frozen casseroles to be shared with Kids Path families.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

Receptionist Needed

One Step Further, 623 Eugene Ct, Greensboro
1 Volunteer needed to answer phones per shift

• Monday 4/22 - 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm
• Tuesday 4/23 - 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm
• Friday 4/26 - 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm

Sort and Organize Office Supplies and Books

Reading Connections, 122 North Elm Street, Suite 520, Greensboro
4 to 6 volunteers needed to assistwith sorting and organizing office supplies and books.

• Wednesday 4/24 – 1:00pm-4:00pm

Work in the Garden

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
A group of volunteers are needed to work with Hospice Horticulture Therapist in the Kids Path and Beacon Place gardens. Work gloves are the only required materials to bring.

• Thursday 4/25 – 9:00am-Noon

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Today, as a part of International Women’s Day, United Way of Greater Greensboro celebrates women.

We should be proud our city’s historical role in advancing the status of women. Greensboro was the champion of North Carolina for educating women of all races, long before women and minorities were legally recognized as equal citizens. Read more about Greensboro’s role in the history of women in North Carolina.

We celebrate the achievements our community has made to improve women’s equality. We remain vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change.

The advancement of women is of prime importance to the economy, business, and society. United Way of Greater Greensboro and many community partners are working to improve our local economy by focusing on family economic success.

One of the significant challenges to becoming  stable and self-sufficient is the affordability of child care. Safe, affordable, quality child care allows parents to obtain and retain a job. It also helps children develop in a healthy manner and ultimately start school ready to succeed. Access to affordable child care is essential for a strong economy.[i]

Many families in Greensboro are fortunate to have access to child care subsidies and scholarships from government and charitable sources, like United Way. However, working families and families that have a parent attending post-secondary school are often on waiting lists for 1 to 2 years before their family becomes eligible to apply.  At any given point there are 2500+ children on the waiting lists in our area to receive help. [iv]

In honor of International Women’s Day, take this opportunity to share this story with a woman who wants to make a difference in her community. Then, consider making an online donation to United Way of Greater Greensboro to help us continue providing child care scholarships and addressing the challenge of affordable child care.

Click here to read more about our state’s child care subsidy program.
Click here to go to child care subsidy fact sheets for each NC county.
Click here to read more about our community partner, Guilford Child Development’s, child care scholarship program.

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“I know that story, it’s some animals, my mommy read it to me last night!” – Raising a Reader Student

Literacy is one of the key building blocks to good quality of life. That’s why United Way of Greater Greensboro has brought together a network of early childhood partners to implement Raising a Reader.

Raising A Reader is an early literacy and family engagement program for children ages 0-8 that helps families develop book-sharing routines with their child.  The research is clear — when families are involved, children’s academic achievement improves.

On Friday, March 1st, our little readers celebrated National Read Across America Day. Some children celebrated the day with special activities at their schools, like wearing ‘wacky socks’ in honor of Dr. Seuss. Others simply celebrated by reading a book from their little red Raising a Reader bag with their family.

To practice the habit of sharing books, each week children bring home bright red book bags filled with award-winning books. Each day children invite a loved one to ‘share a book with me’. Every week each child brings home a different bag of books so that, on average, more than 100 high quality books will rotated through children’s homes over the course of a typical rotation cycle.

Your donation to United Way improves the odds of success in school for thousands of children each year.  Raising a Reader is one of many high quality programs your dollar supports.  These investments create lasting changes in our community.

Give to United Way and be part of the change! Click here to make an easy and secure online donation.

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United Way of Greater Greensboro’s office will be closed on January 1st, 2013 for New Year’s Day.

Please note that 2012 donation payments may be mailed to 1500 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, NC 27405 throughout the end of the year. Check donations postmarked and dated by December 31, 2012 will be honored as 2012 contributions if they are received by United Way the first week of January 2013. Credit card payments must be made by 5:00 p.m. December 28, 2012.

Online giving is for new donations/payments only, not for payment of outstanding balances.
If you are paying off a current pledge by credit card this must be done by phone or in person at the United Way location on Yanceyville St. before 5:00 p.m. December 28, 2012

If you wish to make a new donation and pay that donation online this must be done prior to 5:00 p.m. in order to process the charge and be eligible for your tax donation. Online credit cards are NOT processed automatically, so please make sure you post your pledge/payment by 5:00 p.m. December 28, 2012.

Our website will not accept new pledges after December 28, 2012. It will reopen January 2nd for new donations.

If you have any questions please contact Dawn Taylor at dawn.taylor@unitedwaygso.org or 336-378-6612.

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Contact: John McLendon
Director, Marketing & Communications
336-378-6617
John.McLendon@unitedwaygso.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED WAY’S NEW INITIATIVE “EARLY IS BEST” ENHANCES CHILDREN’S EARLY DEVELOPMENT.

Greensboro, NC, December 5, 2012 –United Way of Greater Greensboro is introducing its new “Early Is Best” program on Friday, December 14, 8:00 am – 10:00 am in the Virginia Dare Room on the campus of University of North Carolina Greensboro. “Early Is Best” is included as part of United Way’s “Thriving at 3”, Early Childhood Initiative. Dr. Terri L. Shelton, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, will speak on “A Collective impact: Why Early Is Best for our Children, Families, Schools, Businesses and Community.

“Early Is Best” will implement key recommendations of the “2009 Ready Together Community Assessment”. The goal of these recommendations is to create effective community partnerships to enhance children’s early development. “Early Is Best” will focus on promoting positive parenting and evidence-based interventions to support maternal and child mental health.

UWGG’s “Early Is Best” programming and services will include staffing a nurse specializing in infant and maternal mental health with the Universal Newborn Home Visitation Program. In addition, the project will support a positive parenting collaborative to enhance early parenting intervention and education programs and to build the capacity of community partners to deliver effective programs. Numerous studies have shown how critical the early years are to children’s development; as well as the benefits of providing mothers with evidence-based educational programs; nurse home visitation services, and infant and maternal mental health support.

Through funding and support from the Cemala Foundation and the Bryan Foundation, UWGG has engaged three partners to advance this work in the community. These partners include the Guilford County Department of Public Health and the Children’s Home Society / Family Life Council. UNCG’s Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships will serve as the research and implementation partner and will provide technical assistance, evaluation and oversight.

For more information, contact Traci McLemore at (336) 378-6616 or Traci.mclemore@unitedwaygso.org.

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United Way of Greater Greensboro supports critical needs in our community in the areas of education, income and health. 2012 marks the 125th birthday of the United Way. In 1887, in Denver, CO, United Way became one of the most important social inventions in history and sparked a movement that established United Way. In 2012, United Way of Greater Greensboro celebrates 90 years of local investments.

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Contact: John McLendon
Director, Marketing & Communications
336-378-6617
John.McLendon@unitedwaygso.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES HANDBAGS FOR LITERACY, A CELEBRATION OF FASHION AND COMPASSION.

Greensboro, NC, September 25, 2012 –United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Women’s Leadership Committee announces its third annual fall event, “Handbags For Literacy”. The event will be held Thursday, October 18th, with doors open at 5:30 p.m. in the Empire Room at 203 South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.

The event includes a live auction of an incredible selection of new and gently used “designer” handbags. Admission to the event is only $5.00 and includes appetizers and celebratory beverages for everyone as well as a bidding number for the handbag auction.

The money raised from the auction will benefit the new expansion project for United Way’s Thriving At 3 Initiative – “Raising A Reader”. The program specifically assists economically disadvantaged families in the Greater Greensboro area and provides them access to a broad collection of high quality, award winning children’s books for parents to share with their children.

“Our mission, in Women’s Leadership, is to develop powerful philanthropists through giving and volunteerism. This event is a wonderful opportunity that will help empower parents as teachers to prepare children for a strong start in kindergarten as life-long learners and will enrich a child’s life for years to come”, stated Kim Yount, Women’s Leadership Committee Chair.

For the event, United Way is requesting donations of new and gently used “designer” handbags by October 10th. Donations are being accepted at the United Way of Greater Greensboro offices located at 1500 Yanceyville Street, between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. There will also be a one-day drop-off site on Thursday, October 4th from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Friendly Shopping Center Customer Service Center at 3110 Kathleen Avenue.

Also available is the “Girlfriend Package” for tables up to 6 guests which includes admission, bidding paddles, guaranteed seating, a bottle of champagne to share, and a platter of appetizers. The cost is $75 prior to September 30 and $100 thereafter. A limited number of tables is available.

For more information, contact Julie Longmire at (336) 378-5023 or Julie.longmire@unitedwaygso.org. More details are also available at unitedwaygso.org.
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United Way of Greater Greensboro supports 89 programs and initiatives through 29 member agencies and partners meeting critical needs in our community in the areas of education, income and health. 2012 marks the 125th birthday of the United Way. In 1887, in Denver, CO, United Way became one of the most important social inventions in history and sparked a movement that established United Way. In 2012, United Way of Greater Greensboro celebrates 90 years of local investments.
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Contact: John McLendon

Director, Marketing & Communications

336-378-6617

John.McLendon@unitedwaygso.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leaders Gather Around “Blueprint for Lasting Change”

Greensboro, NC, September 19, 2012 – Today, United Way of Greater Greensboro presented its “Blueprint for Lasting Change” at N.C. A & T University’s Alumni Event Center. United Way presented an overview of objectives and strategicplans for adding new community goals beyond fund raising.Community leaders, United Way agencies and other business partners gathered to participate in the kick off event which also unveiled its collaborative goal setting plan and its own campaign target.

Two years ago after United Way presented the Voices. Choices.Human Service Needs Assessment that identified four human service priorities.  Community and agency leaders, worked together to develop community level goals to address these priorities. United Way also announced new funding strategies.The new strategies will be measureable and will directly relateto community goals that have been and are being set in the areasof Education, Income and Health. “We are becoming conveners and facilitators by working with community partners to set and achieve community level goals for greater impact.  And, we are building stronger relationships with donors to maximize their time, treasures and voice” stated Sue Cole, Chairman of the Board of United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Richard L. “Skip” Moore, President of the Weaver Foundationserved as moderator for a panel discussion among educators and agencies. They discussed how different interests and groups in the community have come together collectively to produce a positive impact in the community by addressing these human conditions.

United Way announced new strategies for funding agency programs and a community wide mentoring initiative, “Mentoring Matters” which align with AchieveGuilford goals. United Way partner agency, Communities In Schools, also announced the first year success of the new African Americanand Latino male initiative. This mentoring program at Wiley Elementary School, included nearly 50 2nd to 5th grade boys thathave been mentored since January, 2012.  As a result of United Way and after school supports, these boys dramatically improved their success in school.  92% of the boys mentored passed the math End of Grade test and 75% passed the Reading End of Grade test.   “Our track record shows that when we all work together, our kids win”, stated Tony Watlington, Strategic Planning Director of Guilford County Schools.

United Way also shared successes achieved in its five year Thriving At Three initiative which is focused on at risk children,aged 0 to 3, to ensure they achieve critical milestones in their health and developmental behavior.  Results include the opening of the Born Learning Trail, in the Claremont Courts Community, as well as starting the Raising A Reader forClaremont Courts, two local daycare centers and Jones Elementary School.

“In order to make a significant change in community conditions in these programs and many of the strong traditional programs that United Way funds in these areas, we must be able to measure progress consistently and collectively and we must harness the power of volunteer contributions as well as financial contributions” said Keith Barsuhn President & CEO of United Way.

To support the changes as well as build capacity in the existing 89 programs and initiatives funded by United Way, Chancellor Harold Martin of North Carolina A&T State University and2012 United Way Campaign Chair announced a fundraising goal of $11,000,000, which is a 3.5% increase over last years resul

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United Way of Greater Greensboro supports 89 programs and initiatives through 29 member agencies and partners meeting critical needs in our community in the areas of education, income and health.  2012 marks the 125th birthday of the United Way.  In 1887, in Denver, CO, United Way became one of the most important social inventions in history and sparked a movement that established United Way.  In 2012, United Way of Greater Greensboro celebrates 90 years of local investments.

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Many issues are important to all of us. Issues like the economy, jobs, a good education for the next generation of American workers and building strong communities.

If you care about these or other issues, the best way you can make a difference, is to register to VOTE and turn out on Election Day or during early voting to make sure your voice is heard.

Today through October 12, you can register (and update your registration) to VOTE in the November 6th elections.

You may be wondering, “Am I eligible to vote?” Do you meet these requirements:

• Are you a US Citizen?
• Are you a resident of North Carolina?
• Have you lived in your county for at least 30 days?
• Are you 18 years old, or will you be 18 years old before November 6 (election day)?

If you were previously convicted of a felony, your citizenship rights must be restored to make you eligible to vote.
If you answered yes to the questions above, you are eligible to VOTE.

Registering to VOTE is a simple process. Visit ncsbe.gov to download registration forms, see sample ballots and discover answers to questions like:

• Who are my elected officials?
• What elections can I vote in?
• Where do I go to vote
• Can I vote early
• Am I already registered?

Join with United Way and make your voice heard on important issues like education, financial stability and health.

VOTE on election day. REGISTER NOW.

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Third Annual Handbags for Literacy: A Celebration of Fashion and Compassion

WHEN: doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Live auction begins at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: “That” Space located in The Empire Room
203 S. Elm Street, Greensboro
*Complimentary Parking in adjacent deck

Bring your family and friends out for an incredible night of fun, fashion and fundraising to benefit disadvantaged children on Thursday, October 18. For a $5 admission, each participant receives a bidding number, wine, appetizers and the chance to own a designer handbag. A wide selection will be auctioned, with a bag to fit every budget.

The money raised from the auction will benefit the new expansion project from United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Thriving at Three Initiative – “Raising A Reader.” The program specifically assists economically disadvantaged families living in the Greater Greensboro area and provides them with access to a broad collection of high quality, award winning children‘s books for parents to share with their children. By empowering parents as teachers to read to their children and prepare them for a strong start in kindergarten, they will be encouraged as life long learners.

Donations of New and gently used designer handbag may be made at United Way of Greater Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville Street.

New for 2012! Reserved seating is available with the Girlfriend Package, which includes sponsorship and registration for a table up to six seats, a bottle of champagne, souvenir glasses to keep, and a platter of appetizers for the table to share.

For more information, contact Julie Longmire at 336-378-5023.

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“Paint Day” for the Claremont Courts Born Learning Trail will be held Monday, May 7th, from 10 am to 1 pm in the community located off Phillips Avenue.

Children enrolled in the Thriving at Three program, along with their parents, service providers, and staff and volunteers from Greensboro Housing Authority (GHA) and United Way of Greater Greensboro will participate in painting hopscotch, shapes, designs and numbers on the trail that extends approximately 1,373 feet through the heart of Claremont Courts to the McGirt Horton Library.

The Born Learning Trail is an engaging path of interactive activities that helps parents/caregivers promote language and pre-literacy skills, motor skills and school readiness for their young children. The trail, funded in part by the Tocqueville Women’s Leadership of the United Way of Greater Greensboro, includes exercise equipment, play and sidewalk graphics and will serve as an educational and fun area for young children in the community.

“Our commitment is that every child in the Claremont Courts community gets off to the best start. We care so deeply about these kids and their families,” said Keith Barsuhn, President, United Way of Greater Greensboro. Thriving at Three operates under the premise of “children who are healthy physically and emotionally by age three are more likely to be successful in school and in life.” “The partnership with GHA Born Learning Trail is the perfect way to link together important assets to the community,” stated Barsuhn.

Claremont Courts provides 250 affordable housing apartments for over 700 low-income, handicapped and elderly Greensboro residents. The modernization of the community was made possible by the award of $5.58 million in Housing and Urban Development Capital Fund Formula Grant funds pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The community now includes newly designed exterior facades for all apartments; the addition of a new handicap-accessible community building that houses community meeting space, a kitchen, Police Neighborhood Resource Center, property management offices, and program staff offices; and new landscaping throughout. An additional $1.8 million in GHA’s Capital Funds provided installation of 250 high energy-star rate 15 SEER heating and cooling systems for the community.

“With the help of Tocqueville Women’s Leadership and United Way of Greater Greensboro, we will offer our youngest residents a great beginning with the Born Learning Trail. Through the complete community renovations, we will provide Claremont families a great place to call home,” said Tina Akers Brown, Chief Executive Officer for the Greensboro Housing Authority.

Three hundred plants were also donated on April 26th by Syngenta. Mums, geraniums and salvia are being planted throughout the community. The official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the community will be held May 11, 2012.

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