Impact Archives - Page 21 of 23 - United Way of Greater Greensboro

Last-Minute Help to Enroll in Affordable Care Act Coverage

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Shelby Newsome

In an effort to give uninsured people living in the Greensboro area a last-minute opportunity to enroll in health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace before the final enrollment deadline on Sunday, January 31, local organizations have planned a series of enrollment events during the last week of January.

Get Covered America, Cone Health Foundation, United Way of Greater Greensboro, Legal Aid of NC and Guilford County Health & Human Services will host events to educate people about the Health Insurance Marketplace.

A 3-day kickoff event will take place Tuesday, January 26 to Thursday, January 28, at the Greensboro Coliseum. To provide support during the final weekend, there will be four additional events in Greensboro on Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31 at United Way of Greater Greensboro and Legal Aid of North Carolina.

Walk-in appointments are available at all the sites and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. People can also schedule appointments in advance by calling 1-855-733-3711 or visiting www.getcoveredamerica.org/connector

In-person assisters are asking consumers to bring the following to the enrollment events:

Social Security Numbers or document numbers for immigrants;
Employer name and phone number, and income information for every member of your household who is working or has income and needs coverage;
Policy numbers for current health insurance plans covering members of your household.

The open enrollment period is an opportunity to not only gain access to quality affordable health care, but also a chance for people to avoid paying a fine when they file their taxes. Those who do not enroll in a plan by the deadline of January 31, 2016, could face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of yearly income, whichever is greater.

AT-A-GLANCE

What: Greensboro Affordable Care Act Deadline Enrollment Events
Who: Get Covered America, Cone Health Foundation, United Way of Greater Greensboro, Legal Aid of NC and Guilford County Health & Human Services

When: Tuesday, January 26, to Thursday, January 28, 10a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403

When: Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31, 10a.m. – 3p.m.
Where: United Way of Greater Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St., Greensboro, NC 27405
Where: Legal Aid of North Carolina, 122 N. Elm St, 7th Floor, (in the Self Help building), Greensboro, NC

Investing In community impact: Lifting families out of poverty

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 by Shelby Newsome

By Aaron Strasser and Jason Bohrer

Originally published in the Greensboro News & Record on January 3, 2016

“Being in this class really gave me some hope that I can do things better. I can be a good example for my kids and even to myself,” says Ashley in reference to a recent training class at United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Family Success Center.

This is the positive community impact United Way of Greater Greensboro is collaboratively creating in places where poverty is present.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established the 2015 poverty threshold as an annual income of $11,770 for an individual or $24,250 for a family of four. Sadly, nearly 20 percent of Greensboro’s adults and their children live at or below poverty levels and need access to services that offer a helping hand.

This is precisely why the United Way of Greater Greensboro adopted “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” as its main strategic goal. Today, we are asking members of the community to make an investment to position more citizens on a path out of poverty. We need to raise $1.5 million by Jan. 31 in new gifts to match last year’s total of $11.1 million.

United Way understands that people living in poverty are more than statistics and that poverty is not linked to a single issue or need.

For 93 years, United Way of Greater Greensboro has been providing solutions. One example of a recent collaborative solution is the launch of a pilot Family Success Center in ZIP code 27406. This work prioritizes education, job training and financial management as signature solutions offered by 12 agencies under one roof serving an initial 100 families. Many in this program have identified abusive households, teenage pregnancy, lack of transportation, jobs and unsafe housing as their main challenges.

“I want to work and just need a chance” is a common statement coming from adults looking for employment.

As a community we are known for banding together to create social change and for helping our neighbors who are facing challenges. Hope is important to a successful life. Imagine that, for so many people there is a light at the end of the tunnel. However, the broken light bulbs along the way make it hard to get a job, eat and take care of family.

Please help position more people on a bright road to education, employment and financial independence. Support community impact by contributing to United Way of Greater Greensboro. You can easily make a contribution at here, at 1500 Yanceyville St. or by calling (336) 378-6600.

Aaron Strasser is the chairman of the United Way of Greater Greensboro board of directors. Jason Bohrer is the chairman of the United Way 2015 campaign committee.

Make It A Day On, Not A Day Off

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Shelby Newsome

Every January, thousands of Americans come together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through service.

How You Can Serve
On Monday, January 18th, The Volunteer Center of Greensboro will be hosting several service projects at Four Seasons Town Centre, benefiting local nonprofits. There will also be a Nonprofit Fair to learn how to get involved in your community, a kid’s area, community art projects and performances from Guilford County School students, a scavenger hunt and raffle.

Did You Know?
In 1994, Congress designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service, appointing the Corporation of National and Community Service (CNCS) to lead the effort. MLK Day of Service is every third Monday in January.

Dr. King had a vision of creating a “Beloved Community” — a community of people with different backgrounds, recognizing that we are all connected and that our own well-being is linked to the well-being of others.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is an opportunity for individuals to strengthen their community and break barriers, moving us closer to a “Beloved Community.”

How will you make it “a day on, not a day off?”

6th Annual Handbags for Hope Raises Nearly $50,000

Posted on November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 by Shelby Newsome

Greensboro, NC (November 20, 2015) – Final totals are in and United Way of Greater Greensboro’s (UWGG) 6^th Annual Handbags for Hope, hosted by Women’s Leadership Council, raised $48,967. Proceeds benefit UWGG’s goal to break the cycle of poverty for individuals and families in the greater Greensboro community.

Around 275 people attended the event held at the Greensboro Country Club. Handbags for Hope features a silent auction and a live auction where models walk a runway displaying the handbags during the bidding process. Attendees place bids on new and vintage women’s handbags, which are donated by sponsors, local organizations and individuals.

For the fourth year in a row, Global Brands Group was a presenting sponsor and this year donated over 300 items. Other top sponsors included VF Corporation and Tanger Outlets.

8th Annual Leadership Breakfast Will Identify Local Solutions to Break Cycle of Poverty

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Shelby Newsome

Greensboro, NC (November 20, 2015) – On December 1, 7:15 – 9:30 a.m. at Bennett College’s Global Learning Center, approximately 150 – 200 people are expected to attend United Way of Greater Greensboro’s (UWGG) 8^th annual African American Leadership (AAL) Breakfast featuring a panel discussion focused on finding ways to break the cycle of poverty.

Hugh Holston, AAL Chair, will moderate the panel and panelists will:

Share personal stories and life experiences (or those of others) which led to poverty
Highlight local resources which can be relied upon to help people break out of poverty
Provide insight on their agency’s impacts and accomplishments in helping break the cycle of poverty.

Panelists will include:

James Speight, Executive Director Malachi House
Michelle Kennedy, Executive Director Interactive Resource Center
Darryl Kosciak, Executive Director Partners Ending Homelessness
Steven Still, Director of Maintenance & Facilities, Salvation Army/Co-Founder and Team Lead NightWatch.

Admission is free, however an RSVP is required by November 23. People may RSVP by visiting www.unitedwaygso.org and clicking on the AAL Breakfast scrolling banner.

Attendees are encouraged to bring and donate new youth-sized winter coats and socks. Coat sizes can range from youth medium to adult XL. Donations will be given to AAL’s African American Male Initiative (AAMI). AAMI is a mentoring program that empowers students as they progress through Wiley Elementary, Jackson Middle and Smith High Schools.

Young Leaders 2015 Trunk-or-Treat

Posted on November 2, 2015November 5, 2015 by Shelby Newsome

For the past five years, United Way of Greater Greensboro Young Leaders have hosted Trunk-or-Treat for children and their families in the Greensboro community. Young Leaders and community volunteers creatively decorate their vehicle trunks and fill them with candy and other treats for children and their families to enjoy. Each year, Trunk-or-Treat is a fun, safe and festive event open to anyone who wants to attend. Historically, parents who bring their children say they prefer Trunk-or-Treat to traditional trick-or-treating because it is during the day making it safer for their children.

This year’s event featured 29 trunks, games, face painting and a free book station that allowed children an opportunity to pick out a book to take home. The event continues to grow with over 550 children participating this year compared to 360 children in attendance in 2014.

Sharita Crossen, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and co-chair of Delta GEMS, a program for young ladies, aged 14-18, interested in developing leadership skills and reaching their full potential, said “I volunteered to work with youth and to give Delta GEMS a chance to become involved and volunteer in their community.”

The mission of Young Leaders is to make a positive and lasting impact throughout our community by mobilizing passionate young professionals who are actively seeking ways to give, advocate, and volunteer in an effort to further United Way of Greater Greensboro’s work to break the cycle of poverty. Anyone can have a role in breaking the cycle of poverty and Trunk-or-Treat is just one of the ways to do so.

This year, we had a visit from Paw Patrol, Mario and Luigi, a triceratops, and even Michael Jackson.

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Paw Patrol

Mario and Luigi

Triceratops

For more pictures from Trunk-or-Treat visit our Facebook page.

To learn more about Young Leaders at United Way of Greater Greensboro, click here.

The Payne Family

Posted on August 24, 2015September 8, 2015 by admin

Corey and Shanet Payne have a son and a daughter; two bright, energetic children. They know that education will improve their children’s future quality of life and help them to succeed in school and in life. That’s why they have enrolled their children in early literacy and school readiness programs supported by United Way of Greater Greensboro.

“These programs broaden their vocabulary skills, math skills, their reading skills and interaction skills,” says Shanet. “We start at home, then they have to transition to school. When you start at home with these activities, they already have a head start when they go.

“In the next 20 years, my biggest hope for my children is that they’ll be able to stand on their own two feet and they’ll learn from what we are teaching them.”

Watch the full story.

Host a MeaningFULL Meals Food Drive This Summer

Posted on May 1, 2015September 8, 2015 by admin

More than 56% of Guilford County Schools (GCS) students qualify for free or reduced price lunch. In the summer , when school is not in session, these children often do not have the same access to a nutritious meal and go hungry. To complement the work of GCS feeding centers, MeaningFULL Meals is a summer nutrition project by United Way of Greater Greensboro and The Volunteer Center of Greensboro to help feed hungry children in our community in the evening.

Please host a food drive at your work, school or place of worship.
For more details and promotional materials, Download the Food Drive Kit.

You can also drop off food items to The Volunteer Center of Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, during normal business hours.

Items needed include:

– mac & cheese (microwavable)

– canned veggies

– bread

– tuna & chicken (vacuum sealed)

– ramen noodles

– fruit cups

– applesauce

– fruit roll-ups

– raisin snack packs

– juice boxes

– dried rice and beans

– Peanut butter & jelly (pre-made & individual jars)

– breakfast cereal (individual boxes hot & cold)

– Poptarts

– graham crackers, Nekot/Lance crackers

– chips (individual sizes)

– pasta & spaghetti sauce

– freeze pops

– Hamburger Helper

– Oodles of Noodles

– ravioli

– single serving size spaghetti lasagna

* No soda or candy please *

Questions? Please contact Radiah Pinckney at United Way of Greater Greensboro at 336-378-6606 or radiah.pinckney@unitedwaygso.org.

United Way of Greater Greensboro, Guilford Child Development Partner To Break Cycle of Poverty

Posted on March 9, 2015August 25, 2015 by admin

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

CONTACT
Dana Carter
United Way of Greater Greensboro
(p) 336-378-6617
(e) dana.carter@unitedwaygso.org

Pilot Family Success Center For Neighborhoods in 27406

(Greensboro, NC – March 9, 2015) — United Way of Greater Greensboro, with its lead partner Guilford Child Development, is driving the effort to implement Greensboro’s first Family Success Center to provide solutions that reduce poverty in Greensboro neighborhoods.

“Job placement and achieving family financial stability for low income families, the major objectives of the Family Success Center, may represent the two most difficult challenges in the field of health and human services,” says Robin Britt, Executive Director of Guilford Child Development. “Our goal is to achieve ‘systems change’ by collaborating with a broad array of agencies to align services, by removing barriers, and by empowering families to make progress toward self sufficiency.”

The Family Success Center pilot follows United Way of Greater Greensboro’s announcement that it will focus its work on breaking the cycle of poverty for the next decade and more. Guilford Child Development was chosen as the lead partner for Family Success Center for its expertise in helping children and families reach their full potential. Guilford Child Development operates Head Start programs that serve children ages zero to five and enhance early child development while assisting families create the strong educational foundation necessary to be successful in school and in life. By federal definition Head Start participants fall at or under 100% of the family federal poverty line ($24,250 for a family of four). Greensboro currently struggles with a 20% poverty rate, a number that has seen steady increase since 2008.

“Greensboro has great human service organizations currently addressing issues related to poverty,” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Greensboro. “Our intention is to create a new system of collaboration between nonprofit, government and businesses that works together to provide solutions for all members of a family. The system will deliver wrap around services that embrace new ideas for/from clients and implement known human service techniques that work. Members of the neighborhood pilot will be accountable for their success that leads to financial independence. When people feel successful, the community is successful.”

The Family Success Center will begin as an 18-month pilot in zip code 27406 that will offer integrated, place-based services to help meet the needs of the entire family with the goal that each family enters the path toward self-sufficiency. The new system views the family as a unit and plans to serve every member of the household. The primary features of the system include family engagement, client input, testing and learning, and increasing flexible access to services. The ultimate goals are to increase per capita income for low-income neighborhoods, improve community health, and enhance school readiness (which will help ensure children graduate from high school). During the next 36 months, United Way of Greater Greensboro will lead the development of Family Success Centers in at least three other zip codes in Greensboro.

Families currently enrolled in Guilford Child Development programs in zip code 27406 are being given the opportunity to opt-in to the pilot. Up to 100 families will work through the 18-month pilot to develop their own self-sufficiency plan which will be supported through workshops, trainings, and individual coaching sessions.

“Integrated servicing is not a new concept, but it’s new to Greensboro in this form,” says Frank McCain, vice president of community investment and impact at United Way of Greater Greensboro. “After benchmarking similar programs from San Francisco to Chicago and even neighboring Winston-Salem, we know this type of deep collaboration is a monumental change to how we have previously addressed poverty in Greensboro; a change in the right direction.”

The Family Success Center will officially kick-off on Thursday, March 26 where more than a dozen additional community partners will be announced.

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United Way of Greater Greensboro makes investments in our community to serve those in need so that all individuals and families can succeed. United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. To give, advocate and volunteer, visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org.

United Way of Greater Greensboro, Community Partners Offer Free Tax Preparation in Greater Greensboro

Posted on February 10, 2015August 25, 2015 by admin

(Greensboro, NC – February 10, 2015) – It’s tax season and there is a lot to know. United Way of Greater Greensboro is helping individuals and families access free tax preparation services available in our community to keep and grow their money.
“Our community’s free tax preparation services will help many families get Earned Income Tax Credit and the maximum refund they’re due,” says Frank McCain, vice president of community investment and impact at United Way of Greater Greensboro. “This is money they can save or use to pay off bills, help buy that car to get to work or contribute to a down payment on a home.”
FREE TAX ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN GREENSBORO

If your household earned $60,000 or less in 2014, you qualify for free tax preparation. United Way has partnered with many local organizations to provide free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income households in the Greater Greensboro area.
There are TWO KINDS of free tax assistance.
1. In-person Tax Preparation and Filing: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers IRS-trained volunteers to prepare taxes for people with a household income of $53,000 or less in 2014.
See the list of VITA locations and times in Greater Greensboro.
Taxpayers should bring to their appointment:
a. Any tax documents such as forms W-2, 1099, or 1098.
b. Social Security cards or ITIN letters for ALL persons on your tax return. If you don’t have the original Social Security card available, a photocopy of the card is acceptable, or an official government letter with proof of the Social Security number for the individual. The volunteer must see the document. You cannot just tell them the number from memory–no exceptions.
c. Picture ID (such as valid driver’s license) for you and, if you are filing jointly with your spouse, a photo ID for your spouse as well.
d. For direct deposit of your refund, you must have proof of financial institution information (like a blank check).
e. Not required but a good idea is to have a copy of your previous year tax return.
2. Online Tax Preparation: Individuals in households earning up to $60,000 can file their returns for themselves online at www.MyFreeTaxes.com, provided by H&R Block in cooperation with the Walmart Foundation, Goodwill Industries International, National Disability Institute, and United Way Worldwide. Taxpayers filing online have access to tax law experts through online chat or a toll-free phone number. This is a good option for people who have relatively simple returns, confidence in using the Internet, and a desire to be able to file their own taxes independently.
UNITED WAY’S FAMILY ECONOMIC SUCCESS DAY – Friday, February 27 
United Way and BB&T have teamed up to offer free in-person tax preparation services, financial management workshops, and free credit reports. Learn more at www.unitedwaygso.org

EITC COULD MEAN MORE MONEY IN THE BANK.
The IRS estimates that one in five eligible workers do not get the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) they have earned. United Way wants everyone who is eligible for the credit to receive it. If you earned less than $52,427 from wages or running a business or farm, see if you qualify for EITC.

EITC is designed to “make work pay,” by supplementing eligible workers’ earnings with additional income. The amount of the credit varies depending on filing status, the number of qualifying children, if any, and the amount of earnings. This money not only helps workers and their families, but the communities in which they live. On average, EITC adds $2,400 to working families’ refunds. Receive general guidance about EITC by calling MyFreeTaxes at 1-855-MY-TX-HELP (1-855-698-9435).
The 2015 Greater Greensboro Free Tax Prep Coalition includes: BB&T Bank, City of Greensboro, Greensboro Housing Authority, Guilford Child Development, Housing Consultants Group, Internal Revenue Service – Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), Jamestown Public Library, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, North Carolina A&T State University, Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency, Senior Resources of Guilford, Shepherd’s Center, The Arc of Greensboro, The Volunteer Center of Greensboro, True Salvation Outreach Ministry, United Way of Greater Greensboro, and YWCA of Greensboro.
# # #
United Way of Greater Greensboro makes investments in our community to serve those in need so that all individuals and families can succeed. United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. To give, advocate and volunteer, visit www.UnitedWayGSO.org.