Community Support of MeaningFULL Meals Food Drive Especially Needed This Year

Greensboro, NC (July 10, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is mobilizing the community throughout July with its annual MeaningFULL Meals program in partnership with The Volunteer Center (TVC) of the Triad and BackPack Beginnings (BPB).

Ten years ago, UWGG and TVC started MeaningFULL Meals as nutrition project that seeks food donations to help feed school children in need during summer break – and this year, the need is greater than ever before. 

With the increase of food prices during the past year there has been a decline in donations. Local food pantries also report serving more guests due to these rising prices and the cut in SNAP benefits, making this year’s MeaningFULL Meals drive especially needed.

BackPack Beginnings joined the partnership seven years ago and serves as the recipient of all food donations, dispersing them to children and families in the community.

Everyone in the community is invited to participate throughout the month of July.

Visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Volunteer to learn more and choose from two easy options:

  1. Simply host a drive in July and drop off your donations at BackPack Beginnings by August 4.
  2. Bring your own food donations to The United Way of Greater Greensboro or BackPack Beginnings. Drops should be made Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

“”BackPack Beginnings is thrilled to partner with The United Way of Greensboro again this summer for MeaningFULL meals. Summer is a difficult time for children who rely on school meals for most of their nutritional needs. With food prices up, donations down and SNAP cuts, the need for MeaningFULL meals is more important than ever. We are excited to get this food into the hands of children at Jackson, Wiley and Smith this summer.”said Parker White, Founder/Executive Director, BPB.

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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org 

United Way Announces New Board Members, Strategic Partnerships

At its recent Annual Meeting, United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) appointed 15 board members, including officers. UWGG is also pleased to announce nearly $6 million in investments supporting 56 Strategic Partnerships, Initiatives, including two Family Success Centers and the Guilford Success Network Pilot.

Board Member Highlights

During the meeting, 15 board members were appointed to serve new and/or renewed terms, bringing the organization’s total board membership to 34 diverse community representatives. New/renewed board members include:

  • Renee Hutlin, Chief Commercial Impact Officer, Center for Creative Leadership
  • Wanda Lea, Greensboro Supply Network Operations Director, Proctor & Gamble
  • Justin Outling, Partner and Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Brooks Pierce
  • Wai-Fung Thompson, People Officer, ITG Brands
  • Debra Bingham, Assistant Professor of Business Law, Elon University
  • Steve Swetoha, President, Greensboro Swarm
  • Scott Baker, President, TowneBank Triad
  • Claudia Cannady, Summit Rotarian, Retired Rotary International Volunteer
  • Tracie Catlett, Head of School, Greensboro Day School
  • Tom Glaser, Retired Chief Operations Officer, Tapestry, Inc.
  • Niketa Green, Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Cone Health
  • Jose Sandoval, Vice President/Financial Sales Manager, First Citizens Bank
  • Jamiah Waterman, Director of Human Resources, City of Greensboro
  • Jill White, Senior Council, Womble Bond Dickenson
  • Michele Deuterman, Senior Vice President of People and Culture, ITG Brands

Board officers were also announced and include:

  • Michele Deuterman, Senior Vice President of People and Culture, ITG Brands, Chair
  • Scott Baker, President at TowneBank, Vice Chair
  • Bryan Starrett, Partner at Brooks Pierce, Secretary & Legal Counsel
  • Jose Sandoval, Vice President/Financial Sales Manager, First Citizens Bank, Treasurer
  • Steve Swetoha, President of Greensboro Swarm, Campaign Chair

What Does United Way of Greater Greensboro Do?

  • United Way creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty.
  • Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by:
  • Helping youth transition from cradle-to-career
  • Helping adults land jobs and increase income
  • Providing access to basic needs and healthcare
  • Our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network bundle services and eliminate barriers.

United Way’s Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives

  • Every year, local nonprofits apply to join our holistic strategy. And every year, our local volunteers select the best of the best partners to receive grant funding.
  • We issue “Poverty Relieving” and “Poverty Ending” Grants.
  • Poverty Relieving Grants are open to programs or collaboratives providing services that help people find and stay on pathways out of poverty through cradle-to-career supports and services for basic needs, access to healthcare, and financial stability.
  • Poverty Ending Grants are open to programs or collaboratives providing services that offer clear ways for people to leave poverty by increasing and maintaining their annual household income above the federal poverty threshold. 
  • We require these strategic partners to track and produce outcomes that help people on their journeys out of poverty.
  • Additionally, we lead and fund successful community-wide Initiatives including:
  • Thriving at 3 – focuses on preparing kids to be successful when they enter school
  • Raising a Reader – focuses on helping youth develop reading skills, while incorporating parents and care givers as supporters
  • Mentoring Matters – focuses on pairing a caring adult with a youth to provide coaching and support
  • African American Male Initiative – focuses on creating mentor/mentee relationships for local African American and Hispanic/Latino youth. This program serves and follows youth at Wiley Elementary, Jackson Middle, and Smith High Schools.

Strategic Partnership Highlights

Strategic Partner investments are led by volunteers who select partners and programs that equip and empower people to leave poverty. This year’s investments can be found on UWGG’s website at www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Investments and include six new program investments, and a total of four new Strategic Partners.

New Programs Receiving Poverty Relieving Grants

  • Disability Assistance Program, offered by The Servant Center
  • School Food Program, offered by BackPack Beginnings (lead) and A Simple Gesture
  • Operation Xcel at Swann Middle School, offered by Operation Xcel
  • Pathways to Homeownership, offered by Housing Consultants Group (lead) and Greensboro Urban Ministry

New Programs Receiving Poverty Ending Grants

  • Careers on the Outside, offered by Goodwill Industries on Central NC
  • Ending Poverty Through Workforce Development and Educational Opportunities, offered by Tiny House Community Development

New Strategic Partners

  • BackPack Beginnings
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Housing Consultants Group
  • Tiny House Community Development

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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org

VOLUNTEERS UNITED – Meet Jose and Yubi Sandoval

Volunteers are the heart of United Way, and are an important component in our mission to end local poverty. 

United Way is excited to highlight Jose and Yubi Sandoval, who are both on United Way’s marketing committee and have volunteered a combined 5 years in different capacities. Jose is also on our board of directors.

“We believe in United Way’s mission and the impact it is making in our community. We also appreciate the intentionality of working with other organizations to help one another accomplish their goals. We are both immigrants and have witnessed firsthand the power of community and feel that UWGG is great at bringing people and organizations together,” said Jose and Yubi.

Jose and Yubi say they volunteer with United Way because “UWGG’s mission of ending poverty seeks the root cause of why someone is living in poverty, and then works with them to break the cycle.”

They plan to continue spreading the word about United Way’s work and they strive to get more community members involved in the movement to end local poverty.  

Jose and Yubi hope to see all community members thriving, and to have resources readily available. “Growing up in rural NC, Greensboro really won our heart by welcoming us and being open and welcoming to the immigrant community,” says Jose. 

If you would like to learn more about United Way’s single focus mission to end local poverty, visit https://www.UnitedWayGSO.org/About-us/Our-Focus

United Way Selects YWCA as New Lead Partner for Second Family Success Center

Greensboro, NC (May 26, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is pleased to announce it has selected YWCA of Greensboro as the new lead partner to operate its second Family Success Center (FSC) which will now be located at the Shirley T. Frye YWCA Greensboro building at 1807 East Wendover Avenue.

“We are thrilled to serve as the new lead partner and location of United Way’s second Family Success Center. The YWCA will work tirelessly to continue the transformative work that the center has provided to local people who are living in poverty. We are grateful to the United Way and look forward to helping local families through this new partnership for many years to come,” said Deb Harris Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of Greensboro.

FSCs are a critical component of UWGG’s strategic approach to ending local poverty. FSCs serve people living on low incomes through an Integrated Service Delivery model which offers multiple supports and services in one location. Services focus on employment, education, financial capability, health and wellness and basic needs. FSCs also offer transportation and childcare support to eliminate accessibility barriers for its members.

UWGG currently operates two FSCs. The first FSC was established in 2015 with lead partner, Guilford Child Development, now Children and Families First, at 1200 Arlington Street which is still supporting members.

UWGG’s second FSC location originally opened in 2018 at Salvation Army of Greensboro’s Center of Hope, at 1311 South Eugene Street. This location successfully operated onsite until newly discovered environmental issues forced the building’s closure in June 2022. After the building’s closure, Salvation Army continued FSC operations virtually and temporarily onsite at Salvation Army’s Reynolds Unit on Freeman Mill Road, home of the Boys and Girls Club.

In September 2022, UWGG was notified that the Center of Hope’s initial issues were symptomatic of greater structural concerns that would require extensive, long-term repair. In January, UWGG and Salvation Army mutually agreed that the temporary location at the Reynolds Unit would not meet long-term FSC member needs.

In February, UWGG began seeking new partners, ultimately selecting YWCA of Greensboro through a competitive volunteer-led application and review process.

The volunteer review committee selected YWCA of Greensboro based on its capacity to implement the FSC model at its location, as well as its expertise and experience in addressing poverty, serving whole families, providing long-term case management, and removing participation barriers.

The directors and coaches from the initial second FSC location will continue to lead the program at the YWCA.

“Like United Way, the YWCA of Greensboro has been deeply committed to this community for over a century. We are honored to partner with the talented and caring staff at YWCA and there is no doubt that Family Success Center members will continue to receive transformational supports and services,” said Traci McLemore, Chief Community Impact Officer, UWGG.

To-date, both FSC locations together have helped over 696 families, representing 988 adults and 1,178 children on their journeys toward self-sufficiency. 

Since launching, FSC members have achieved significant milestones:

  • 444 un- or underemployed adults completed job readiness classes
  • 461 new jobs have been obtained
  • 50 adults earned a GED (133 working to earn a GED)
  • 52 enrolled in college or vocational training
  • 2 earned a bachelor’s degree
  • 284 completed financial capability classes
  • 125 opened new bank accounts. 

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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org 

United Way Seeking Volunteers to Promote and Participate in its Mentoring Matters Initiative During Juneteenth Greensboro Celebration and on Worldwide Day of Action

Greensboro, NC (June 17, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is honored to sponsor Greensboro Juneteenth’s Celebration and is seeking volunteers to help promote its Mentoring Matters initiative during the Celebration’s Black Truck Food Festival on June 17, 5 – 11 p.m. at LeBauer Park, located at 208 Davie St, Greensboro, NC 27401.

UWGG is looking for volunteers to distribute mentoring information during the Black Truck Food Festival that will offer ways attendees can sign up to become mentors. 

Later in the week, UWGG will continue seeking mentors during United Way Worldwide’s annual Day of Action which takes place on or around June 21 across the world. Day of Action challenges people to improve their communities through volunteering. 

“We are excited to leverage two exciting upcoming events to promote the importance and impact of mentoring through our Mentoring Matters initiative. Mentoring helps children in our community succeed in school and life is a foundational way to end local poverty,” says Holly Beck, Director of Volunteering and Advocacy, UWGG.   

To sign up to volunteering during the Juneteenth Celebration, visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Volunteer or email Holly Beck at holly.beck@unitedwaygso.org. To learn more about Mentoring Matters visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Mentor.

To learn more about the Greensboro Juneteenth Festival, which runs from June 15 – 18, visit: www.juneteenthgso.com

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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org 

United Way of Greater Greensboro Accepting Applications for Open President & CEO Role

Greensboro, NC (April 24, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) announced today Chapel Hill-based Developmental Associates has been selected to lead a national search for a new UWGG President and CEO, and applications for the position are being accepted through May 23, 2023.

Developmental Associates specializes in finding top tier candidates for high performing nonprofits, municipalities, and civic organizations. Developmental Associates has successfully worked with local organizations such as the City of Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University, and UNCG.

After reviewing multiple proposals, Developmental Associates was chosen by UWGG’s President and CEO Selection Committee comprised of UWGG board members and community leaders. The selection committee is led by UWGG Board Chair, Davida Martin and Vice Chair, Michele Deuterman.

Interested applicants can read more about the President and CEO job and apply by visiting www.UnitedWayGSO.org/CEO. All job-related questions should be directed to hiring@developmentalassiciates.com or Heather Lee at hlee@developmentalassociates.com.

Former UWGG President and CEO, Khari Garvin began a new role on March 6 with the Biden-Harris Administration serving as Director of the Office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Nadine Malpass, UWGG’s current Chief Development Officer, is serving as Interim CEO. As Interim CEO, Malpass serves as the voice of the organization with the Board of Directors, staff, community members, and key volunteers and will support the transition of the new UWGG President and CEO.

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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org 

United Way Hosts Celebration to Recognize its Volunteers for Their Efforts to End Local Poverty

United Way of Greater Greensboro Invites its Volunteers to a Celebration to Express its Gratitude, and to Honor Three Key Volunteers with First Ever Volunteer UNITED Awards

Greensboro, NC (April 21, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is recognizing and celebrating all its dedicated volunteers who directly impact its work to end local poverty. During National Volunteer Week, UWGG found it appropriate to express their gratitude to its volunteers, and to present its first-ever Volunteer UNITED awards to three key volunteers.

The Volunteer UNITED Awards include Impact UNTIED, Investment UNITED, and Service UNITED.

The Impact UNITED Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, recruitment, and impact strategy. Award winner, Greg Higgins, began volunteering with UWGG in 2014, and provides leadership to Impact Councils that evaluate UWGG’s grant applications.

The Investment UNITED Award recognizes exceptional and creative efforts to increase community partnerships and investments. Recipient Jessica Ingram led the 2022 ITG Brands United Way Campaign. Because of Ingram’s leadership, employee gifts increased by 17%, and employee participation grew by 50%.

The Service UNITED award recognizes longstanding volunteer leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation. Award winner Kathy Norcott is one of the founding members of UWGG’s African American Affinity Group that began in 2003.

“We are an entirely volunteer driven organization and have been for over 100 years. National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to celebrate our volunteers and their diverse talents and compassion that drives our mission to end local poverty,” said Holly Beck, Director of Volunteering and Advocacy at United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Aside from thanking volunteers for their efforts to give back to the community, UWGG hopes that attendees were able to learn more about its mission and strategy to end local poverty and will continue to volunteer and support its work going forward.

To view photos from the event, visit UWGG’s Facebook page.

Visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Volunteer to learn more about UWGG’s single focus on ending local poverty.

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VOLUNTEERS UNITED – Meet Cammie Cummings

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, United Way is excited to celebrate Cammie Cummings, a local go-getter and volunteer champion who makes an impact in everything she does.

Cammie has volunteered with United Way for 4 years and is currently chairing United Way’s Young Leaders (YL) Affinity Group.

Young Leader members are emerging community leaders who are focused on empowering and inspiring young professionals to lead community-wide change that support United Way’s efforts to end local poverty by helping children and youth prepare for success in college, work, and life.

“Connecting and volunteering with YL was an easy decision as it directly aligns with being actively involved in creating family friendly activities and soliciting the partnership of other young professionals to support the mission of ending local poverty. It is all about making an impact”, said Cammie.

Cammie’s passion for volunteering and her gift to motivate others to join the movement, especially young professionals, has greatly supported United Way’s efforts to help the local community.

“It is my hope that we see United Way as a collective opportunity to push generations forward. Not only does it serve as a powerful resource to our community, but that through every dollar and donation given, a life is being impacted. I hope that we can see the mission to end local poverty as a reality one day, but it will take a collective belief, service, and willingness to create bold change!”

If you’d like to learn more about United Way’s YL Affinity Group, visit:

Ben & Jerry’s Partners with United Way for Free Cone Day April 3

Event at Friendly Center in Greensboro will promote United Way of Greater Greensboro’s efforts to end local poverty

Greensboro, NC (March 31, 2023) – Ben & Jerry’s Friendly Center and United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) are excited to invite the public to enjoy a free scoop of ice cream at this year’s Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day, Monday, April 3, 12 to 8 p.m. at 3332 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro.

Ben & Jerry’s celebrates Free Cone Day globally every year as a thank you to its customers. Local stores often select a nonprofit to promote during the event, and this year marks the fourth time UWGG has been selected. Hundreds of people are expected to attend and participants who wish to skip the line can make a donation to United Way to receive a “Front of Line” pass. All proceeds will support UWGG’s efforts to end local poverty.

“Ben & Jerry’s is extremely dedicated to making a difference in their local communities and we are so grateful for their partnership. Our staff and volunteers love helping out during Free Cone Day. This annual event provides us with a fun opportunity to raise awareness around our efforts to end local poverty, and we look forward to serving as many people as possible,” says Michael Cottingham, Chief Marketing Officer, UWGG.

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United Way Celebrates Volunteerism During National Volunteer Week, April 17-21

Greensboro, NC (March 22, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro, in partnership with The Volunteer Center of the Triad, is celebrating and promoting volunteerism this National Volunteer Week, April 17-21, 2023. Community members are encouraged to participate and get involved during the week.

Visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Volunteer to view opportunities and sign up. Opportunities for both individuals and groups are available. Remote and ongoing opportunities are also available.

Volunteer opportunities throughout the week include:

  • Helping to cultivate a community garden at Positive Direction for Youth & Families
  • Cleaning up Latham Park & Stream with The Volunteer Center of the Triad and Greensboro Parks and Recreation
  • Packing food bags and sorting donations at Backpack Beginnings
  • Helping to build a home with Habitat for Humanity
  • Creating one on one mentoring relationships at with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and
  • Writing greeting cards for seniors through Senior Resources.

“Volunteers are at the core of everything United Way does in our work to end poverty. We are grateful for the selfless efforts of volunteers who strive to make our community a better place for everyone. United Way is proud to support National Volunteer Week by connecting people with great local organizations who partner with United Way in our efforts to end poverty,” said Holly Beck, Director of Volunteering and Advocacy at United Way of Greater Greensboro.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.

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