United Way of Greater Greensboro

Thomas and Kayley are brother and sisters who were placed in foster care when they were just four and five years old.  They had suffered a great deal of emotional abuse, neglect, and witnessed an astounding amount of domestic violence. As they grew, they struggled with emotional and developmental delays and it took several years of intensive therapy to help prepare them to be part of a permanent, adoptive family. Many families expressed interest in the adorable children but few were ready to take on the challenges the boys behaviors could often present.  Jennifer and Evan Smith called CHS after they had seen the two children on the CHS website.  They had felt an immediate connection, and they did not hesitate initiating the adoption process after hearing about some of the challenges they would be faced with if the children were placed in their home.    At a matching event where children and families meet and interact, the Smith family met Thomas and Kayley.  At first, Thomas and Kayley were very skeptical and had a difficult time trusting Jennifer and Evan.  With a great deal of patience, Jennifer and Evan started the process of getting to know the two children and began visiting with them in their foster home. Over the following year, the Smith family attended their therapy sessions, school meetings, doctor’s appointments, and more. This past fall, Thomas and Kayley were ready to move in with Jennifer and Evan, their new mom and dad! Learn more about the Adoption and Foster Care Services at Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.

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It’s natural to think about the many people in our nation and world who desperately need a helping hand. We are all aware of the world-wide natural disasters that have recently occurred.  And many of us give most generously to the worthwhile charities trying to help.

But do you ever feel like you want to participate more directly? If you do, you’re part of a growing number of people taking grassroots actions with events to help neighbors in their community.

If you think it won’t make a difference, think again. According to America’s Second Harvest, local food drives provide nearly one third of the two billion pounds of food it distributes annually. During 2010, United Way of Greater Greensboro hosted “community conversations” to identify the issues most important to Greensboro residents. Four issue areas emerged from the community: financial stability, access to health care, successful school experiences, and positive youth development. United Way of Greater Greensboro recognizes basic needs must be met while working toward resolving larger community issues. It’s hard to imagine that 1 out of 4 of our neighbors here in Greensboro are experiencing food hardships.  When individuals, organizations, governments and businesses set aside their special interests and work together, we can make a difference.  Living United means being part of the change.

On Tuesday, June 21^st individuals and families across the country will participate in the fourth annual United Way Day of Action. Here in Greensboro, the event will be the MeaningFULL Meals’ Drive Through and Drop Off. At the central office, United Way of Greater Greensboro is hosting a drop off zone to collect non-perishable food items for the MeaningFULL Meals Nutrition Project. You may drop off your non-perishable items between 6am-10am and again between 4pm-7pm.

After the non-perishable food is dropped off at the central United Way office the food will be taken to Gillespie Park Elementary School, where United Way Volunteers will be packing bags of food that will be distributed to the children of families in the Gillespie Park community.

Although, helping your community can be a onetime gesture, it can be so much more! The United Way of Greater Greensboro is continuing MeaningFULL Meals all summer long! Between June 13th and August 15th, you can donate non-perishable foods to Gillespie Park Elementary School Monday through Thursday from 9am – 1pm. Or, if you are looking to volunteer time helping prepare bags of food for the next day would be extremely helpful! You can volunteer your time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm. To learn more about this project, visit our website at www.unitedwaygso.org. If you are interested in signing up to be part of the MeaningFULL Meals please call us at (336) 378-5033.

Article Written by Volunteer, Amy Riss.

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A stride in women coming together for United Way was the Women in Philanthropy Luncheon on May 24^th. This inaugural luncheon had both Women’s Leadership and Tocqueville Women’s Leadership celebrating the accomplishment and power of “one voice.” The premise of women united to promote community resources that advance family issues is a powerful message. Together, these groups have raised over $12 million, providing much need resources to our community.

Distinguished guest Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole spoke specifically to education and literacy, and what could be done to help. She said, “Education is about living a good life…And when we ask ourselves what is the most critical component of formal education, it’s only one answer, it is learning to read,” Dr. Cole put a simple tagline behind her message, “first children learn to read and then children read to learn.”

The combination of Women’s Leadership and Tocqueville Women’s Leadership proved fantastic. Thank you to all those who came to see Dr. Cole’s powerful message, and to all those who made Women in Philanthropy such a success, without the hard work and commitment of so many great women these things could not have been possible.

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From N&R Saturday 5/28…

GREENSBORO — Partners Ending Homelessness will host the third annual Home Run for Homelessness on Wednesday at NewBridge Bank Park, where the Greensboro Grasshoppers will play the Lakewood BlueClaws. The group created the event three years ago to celebrate the implementation of Guilford County’s 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Now it is an opportunity to increase Guilford County citizens’ knowledge about homelessness in the community while enjoying America’s favorite pastime. A portion of the proceeds of every group ticket sold will be donated to Partners Ending Homelessness. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and Thriving at Three Kids Carnival will kick off on Natty’s Hill within the stadium at the same time. Activities include face painting, obstacle courses, moon bounces, races, crafts and more. A choir of homeless people will sing the national anthem.

Here are some pictures from last years carnival –

We hope that you can make it to the stadium this year!

Comment and let us know what you think!

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