Author: Aniya Raiford

The Choices No Family Should Have to Make

Posted on by Aniya Raiford

By Frank McCain, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Greensboro

Every day in Greensboro, families who are doing everything right still face impossible choices: pay the rent or buy groceries; cover childcare or keep a job; fill a prescription or fill the gas tank.
These aren’t isolated stories. Nearly 1 in 5 Greensboro residents lives below the federal poverty line. And thousands more work full-time but still can’t afford the basics—housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and transportation. These neighbors earn too much to qualify for many supports, yet not enough to keep up with the rising cost of living. One unexpected bill can tip a household into crisis.

Behind every number is a person. I think of Jerome, a father who once worked third shift and spent hours commuting by bus, all while trying to keep his family stable. With steady guidance and access to the right mix of resources—reliable childcare, safe housing, and a job with a future—he began to get traction. Today, he works full-time with Guilford County Schools, raising his family with pride and planning for goals that once felt out of reach, like homeownership.

Jerome’s story reminds us: poverty is not a personal failure—it’s a systems problem. When childcare costs can rival a mortgage, when rents outpace wages, when one illness wipes out a month’s budget, families don’t lack grit—they lack a fair shot.

At United Way of Greater Greensboro, we believe poverty is not inevitable. We are conveners—bringing together community leaders, nonprofits, employers, educators, faith partners, and policymakers—because no single program or sector can solve this alone. Real solutions are holistic, connecting housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, financial coaching, and workforce pathways. They start with listening, and they succeed when we act together.

This November, our community has a chance to move from awareness to action at Beyond Poverty GSO—a two-day experience designed to deepen understanding and build solutions:

– Nov. 5: Poverty Simulation, facilitated by Triad Goodwill, hosted at First Presbyterian Church
– Nov. 7: Beyond Poverty GSO Summit at the Conference Center at GTCC

Attendees will leave with tangible next steps to take action. Ending poverty is possible. When families thrive, Greensboro thrives. I hope you’ll join us.

Learn more & register: unitedwaygso.org/beyondpovertygso

“Poverty is relentless. But so are we. And together, Greensboro can become the blueprint for beating it.” — Frank McCain

Learn more about local poverty trends and community solutions by visiting our Poverty Quick Facts.

Author: Frank McCain, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Greensboro
Date: October 16, 2025

Jerome’s Journey to Stability

Posted on by Aniya Raiford

A father’s journey to stability and self-reliance

The day Jerome Davis walked into a neighborhood resource fair, he was just hoping to pick up school supplies for his daughter. He didn’t know it would be the first step in transforming his entire life.

Jerome had always done whatever it took to provide — working third shift, riding the bus in all weather, juggling parenting and long hours. But despite all his effort, true stability remained just out of reach.

His girlfriend, Vershon Ward, spotted a table offering information about budgeting support. That moment led Jerome to Jamie Fuller, a Success Coach with United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Family Success Center 2 (FSC2), launching a three-year journey of coaching and transformation.

The Challenge

When Jerome began working with FSC2, he was trying to start a new job as a school bus driver for First Student, but without reliable child care or transportation, every step forward felt like two steps back. He and his daughter were living in a basement apartment, teetering on the edge of housing instability.

“We rode the city bus in all weather — just to get to my job, where I drove a bus all day,” Jerome recalls.

That all began to shift the day he walked through the doors of FSC2. At the time, the program was housed at the Salvation Army Greensboro. (It now continues its mission from its new home at YWCA Greensboro.)

“I was skeptical,” Jerome admits. “But I knew I needed to make a change — for me and for my daughter.” 

Coaching, commitment, and change

With Jamie serving as his Success Coach, Jerome began laying a new foundation for the future. Together, they tackled obstacles one by one, focusing on stable housing, consistent employment, and long-term security.

He and Jamie met weekly, then bi-weekly, as progress continued. Each session included clear tasks, milestones to check off, and lessons to implement.

“At first he was hesitant,” Jamie says. “But he always followed through with every plan we created. He just needed a little breakthrough.” Their partnership, built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to progress, grew stronger with each step. 

One of Jerome’s breakthroughs came at Money Boot Camp, a budgeting workshop that shifted his entire outlook.  “That workshop opened my eyes,” he says. “Learning how to manage my money was a real game-changer.”

Milestones of progress

Over time, Jerome began hitting more major milestones that moved him closer to the life he envisioned for his family. 

  • Employment: He took on full-time work with First Student and later added part-time hours at RHA Health Services to help make ends meet. In November 2022, he became a Guilford County Schools bus driver — a full-time role with a raise and benefits.
  • Child care: With Jamie’s help, Jerome secured a scholarship for his daughter’s after-school care — and later paid for it himself — a moment of pride that symbolized how far he’d come. 
  • Housing: In May 2022, Jerome signed his first lease, with just his and his daughter’s names on the document. It marked a significant step toward independence. Today, the family lives in a larger home, one he was able to afford through careful saving.
  • Transportation: Thanks to a donated vehicle from GEICO’s Recycled Rides program, Jerome no longer has to rely on the city bus. “It gave me back my time with my daughter — and my peace of mind,” he says. 

A new chapter

In January 2024, Jerome officially completed the FSC2 program. He continues to thrive, working full-time at Guilford County Schools, maintaining his position with RHA, and supporting his daughter independently.

“I’ve been with GCS for over two years,” he says proudly. “I still work hard, but I’ve got the tools now. The work doesn’t stop, but now I know I can handle it.”

His progress extends beyond income and housing. Jerome enjoys a strong, supportive relationship with Vershon, and they’re raising their blended family together. With a solid foundation beneath him, he now has his eyes set on even bigger goals — like homeownership, long-term savings, and creating a legacy their children can be proud of.

“My life would have been upside down,” he says. “They guided me through some rough times. I couldn’t have done it without them — honest and true.”

Jerome’s story is one of determination, transformation, and love. He took the first step toward a better future for his daughter and, through resilience and action, became the hero of his own story — with the FSC2 by his side every step of the way.

“I really think if somebody gives them a try and lets them help, they’ll be right where I’m at,” Jerome adds. “Sometimes people’s pride gets in the way. Mine did too, I won’t lie. But when I realized I could use some help, it was well worth it.”

Today, Jerome proudly serves as an ambassador for the program. He shares his journey with donors, community partners, and fellow members, showing others what’s possible. His message is simple but powerful: with support, hard work, and a clear vision, lasting success is within reach.