Greensboro, NC (September 18, 2018) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is pleased to announce the new chairs of their Alexis de Tocqueville Society, Jane and Chris Trevey.
Jane is a current United Way Board of Directors member and formerly chaired the Marketing and Communications committee.
Members of United Way’s Tocqueville Society make an annual contribution of $10,000 or more to support United Way’s work of ending poverty in Greensboro.
“Chris and I are honored to serve as this year’s Tocqueville Society Chairs. It is a privilege to partner with United Way to help build awareness and engagement in the critical work of ending poverty in Greensboro. This is an exciting time to be involved as United Way deploys new strategies and supports innovative partnerships to help our neighbors overcome barriers to success. We believe we can make a difference and hope many others will join us in the movement to end poverty in our community,” says Jane.
Tocqueville Society members rapidly advance United Way’s work to END poverty through significant investment and though leadership. To learn more about the Tocqueville Society, please click here.
Greensboro, NC (August 20, 2018) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is pleased to announce it is expanding its Integrated Service Delivery approach to ending local poverty by partnering with The Salvation Army of Greensboro to open a second Family Success Center (FSC).
The second FSC will operate at The Salvation Army Center of Hope at 1311 South Eugene Street and is expected to open before the end of the year.
The FSC model addresses the needs of families living on low incomes by offering services that are bundled and tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and families in one accessible location. Services focus on employment, education, financial capability, health and wellness and basic needs and are provided through collaboration.
The Salvation Army was selected as the lead partner through a competitive application process led entirely by a Volunteer Review Committee.
The Volunteer Review committee selected Salvation Army based on:
Capacity to implement the FSC model
Expertise and experience in addressing poverty
Ability to serve whole families
Long-term case management
Outcomes measurement
Quality of planning
Community partnerships
Removal of participation barriers
Additional FSC at Center of Hope Highlights:
Members will have access to high-quality after-school and summer childcare at The Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club at 1001 Freeman Mill Road. Transportation between the two locations will be provided.
Infant and toddler care will be provided on-site at the Center of Hope
The second FSC will feature expanded hours (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Members will have access to on-site professional mental health services
“Taking on the huge task of generational poverty is something we can’t do alone. It’s not about what the Salvation Army will be doing – it’s about what we will be doing together as a community. We look forward to working with our partners to meet human needs without discrimination so that families can be successful,” says Captain Matt Hedgren, Corps Officer, The Salvation Army of Greensboro.
“We are elated to expand our integrated service delivery strategy by opening a second Family Success Center in our community. This service delivery approach has proven to be very successful and has established Greensboro as a city dedicated to innovative solutions to ending poverty,” says Frank McCain, Vice President Community Investment and Impact, UWGG.
UWGG’s FSC model has proven to be effective and has been recognized locally and internationally as a best practice for empowering families to become self-sufficient.
United Way’s first FSC was established in 2015 with lead partner, Guilford Child Development, and will continue to be supported by over 30 community-based partners. To-date, the first FSC has helped over 200 families, representing almost 600 adults and children on their journeys toward self-sufficiency.
Since launching, FSC members have achieved significant milestones:
278 adults completed job readiness classes
98 achieved employment
31 earned a GED (41 currently working to earn a GED)
Performances will include Shelby J who performed with Prince, and Sybil who has a US Gold Record, among others!
(Greensboro, NC, August 17, 2018) – The community is invited to join United Way of Greater Greensboro and The Culture Pushers on August 30, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Revolution Mill in Greensboro for United Way’s 96th Campaign Kickoff and Community Celebration.
United Way of Greater Greensboro is partnering with Greensboro native and Grammy Award winning record producer, Andreao “Fanatic” Heard, of The Culture Pushers make this year’s celebration one to remember.
Among the local musicians who will perform at the event are Shelby J, who recorded and performed with Prince for over a decade, Sybil, R&B singer who worked with Salt-n-Pepa and has a US Gold Certified record, and Triangle Afrobeat Orchestra, an inclusive collective of musicians united to build solidarity and collaboration across boundaries. Many other talented musicians from The Culture Pushers collective will also perform live during the event.
A special announcement will be made at the event regarding “Artists United To End Poverty” – A benefit album with contributions from local recording artists, poets and prominent figures in the community. Proceeds from album sales will go to the United Way of Greater Greensboro to help support partnerships that END local poverty! Sybil, Shelby J and Triangle Afrobeat Orchestra are all featured on the album.
Fanatic, who has produced records for Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Notorious B.I.G., Anthony Hamilton and more is bringing together local recording artists from the Culture Pushers Collective and more to produce an epic multi music genre album that will help change Greensboro forever!
Additionally, during the celebration, results from this year’s Pacesetter Campaign, which began in July, will be announced. The Pacesetter Campaign includes 18 companies that decided to conduct their United Way campaigns early to set the pace for a successful community-wide campaign.
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro named United Way of Greater Greensboro President and CEO Michelle Gethers-Clark a Community Game Changer.
The Community Foundation partners with the Greensboro Grasshoppers annually to recognize local residents who are making a big difference to our community. Recipients are individuals who have worked hard to make Greensboro an even greater place to live and work through meaningful contributions to the city.
“I am honored and humbled to be called a game changer. However, ending poverty is a team sport and takes a community of people who are willing to change the game in Greensboro and ensure every child and family have the opportunity to thrive,” says Michelle.
Michelle was recognized with the award at the August 10th Grasshoppers game. Please join us in sending Michelle a big congratulations!
If you visited the United Way office in July, you may have seen boxes overflowing with food items for our annual MeaningFULL Meals collection.
Over 4,500 pounds of food were collected throughout Greensboro thanks especially to Morrisette and BB&T Triad Corporate Center who went above and beyond to support the cause.
Five years ago, United Way and The Volunteer Center started MeaningFULL Meals, a nutrition project that seeks food donations to help feed school children in need while school is out for summer.
More than 65% of Guilford County School’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the summer months, many of these children do not have the same access to a nutritious meal and go hungry.
For the third year in a row, BackPack Beginnings joined the partnership by managing the food pantry, preparing bags of food for pick up and being a drop off location for food donations.
Morrisette Paper Company donated a car full of food items to MeaningFULL Meals. Pictured here (left to right) is Morgan, Morrisette’s Marketing Director, with United Way staff Erin, Michael, Kevin and Carl.
An impressive collection in the United Way lobby!
BB&T included inspiration messages in their collection.
Just a fraction of the 54,000 items BB&T collected!
Big thanks to ALL who collected items to help free students this summer!
United Way Partners with Local Grammy Winner, Fanatic To Produce Music Album, Artists United to End Poverty
(Greensboro, NC, July 26, 2018) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is partnering with Greensboro native and Grammy Award winning record producer, Andreao “Fanatic” Heard, who represents the local music movement, The Culture Pushers to produce a music benefit album that will help United Way END local poverty.
Fanatic has produced records for Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Notorious B.I.G., Anthony Hamilton and more is bringing together local recording artists from the Culture Pushers Collective and more to produce an epic multi music genre album that will help change Greensboro forever!
Local Grammy Award Winner, Fanatic
Artists United to End Poverty, a benefit album with contributions from local recording artists, poets and prominent figures in the community will raise awareness about poverty in Greensboro and proceeds from album sales will go to United Way of Greater Greensboro to help support partnerships that END poverty.
United Way of Greater Greensboro is creating a bold movement to end local poverty. Greensboro ranks 31% above the national poverty average. 57,000 Greensboro residents, which includes 25% of children, live in poverty.
Current album sponsors include: az development, The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, IBERIABANK, Joy Shavitz, Randall Kaplan. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
A very big thank you to Thomas Johnson, Department Chair, Creative & Performing Arts at Guilford Technical Community College for arranging studio space for the album recording.
Current featured artists include:
The Hamiltones: Grammy nominated group who also sing with Grammy award winner, Anthony Hamilton
Vanessa Ferguson: Known for her appearance on NBC’s The Voice
Caleb Serrano: Known for his appearances on Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots, & the Harry Connick Jr. Show
Sybil: R&B singer who worked with Salt-n-Pepa and has a US Gold Certified record
Shelby J: Recorded and performed with Prince for over a decade
AND: LowBorn, Molly McGinn, Quilla, Kaleta & The Super Yamba Band, Allen Peterson, J. Timber, Andre Fenix, Joel Henry, Juju Guru, Abigal Dowd, Evan Olson, Eric Chilton, Benji Johnson, Sam Craven, Josephus Thompson, III, Jordan Hawkins, J Blanked, Seth Simmons + MORE!
Artists will sing together on a title track and submit individual tracks for the album. The album will be available for download on all major streaming sites and CDs and possibly a limited-edition vinyl will be sold.
A special announcement about the album will be made at United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Campaign Kickoff and Community on August 30, 5:30 to 8: 30 p.m. at Revolution Mill.
Fanatic says, “I felt compelled to get involved because I know the power of music and how it can help fix some of the issues that exist in the community. I witnessed that with The Culture Pushers tornado relief benefit concert. Hopefully this album will bring awareness to how real this poverty issue is in our city. The numbers are alarming. I’m excited to partner with United Way because after meeting and talking with them I can clearly see they are truly focused and committed to ending local poverty. As a record producer you dream of this ‘Quincy Jones moment’ where you can work with all these most amazing artist and musicians for a greater cause.”
“Greensboro is full of caring people who do not accept children going to bed hungry, or adults struggling to meet basic needs as our reality. This project will help spread awareness and fuel our local partnerships that are working together to end poverty. This album is a unique example of community coming together to help address an issue and our hope is that other communities locally and nationally will use this project as an example they can replicate,” says Michael Cottingham, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at United Way of Greater Greensboro.
United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is opening its funding process and accepting Letters of Interest (LOI) from current and unaffiliated non-profit partners with programs that focus on increasing educational achievement or improving health outcomes. The shared outcome will be to reduce the number of children, adults and families experiencing the impact of generational poverty.
Non-profit organizations with programs that meet LOI requirements will be invited to submit full grant applications. Programs selected through a volunteer-led award process are eligible to receive two-year funding for 2019-2021.
Applicants can access a detailed list of funding objectives, strategies and indicators at:
This historic move to an open funding model for increasing income and financial stability and addressing basic needs is the first of two steps in UWGG’s implementation plan. In fiscal year 2020, new and existing community partners whose services focus on increasing income and financial stability and addressing basis needs will be encouraged to submit a LOI.
NOTE: See UWGG Open Funding Model Timeline below for additional information.
United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) Open Funding Model Timeline
Date
Action
Summer – Fall, 2013
To determine greater Greensboro’s most urgent needs, UWGG sought public input and opinions and researched local, regional and national best practices. Poverty was identified as greater Greensboro’s most urgent need.
March 2014
UWGG Board of Directors voted to adopt the goal of “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” to reduce the number of children, adults and families experiencing the impact of generational poverty.
Summer 2014
Meetings and group presentations were held with community partners to discuss the shift to a focus on poverty.
2015 – 2016
UWGG updated funding strategies and goals to align with Breaking the Cycle of Poverty.
June 2017
UWGG Board voted to approve an open funding model, allowing new and existing partners equal opportunity to apply for funding.
July – August, 2017
Call for Letters of Interest (LOI) shared in multiple ways
Press Release
UWGG Website
UWGG Social Media
Guilford Nonprofit Consortium
Grant Seeker Meetings
2-3 meetings open to all grant seekers
Opportunity for Q&A with UWGG
Opportunity to review UWGG’s grant process
September 1, 2017
LOI due
September – October, 2017
LOI reviewed by staff and volunteers for eligibility and alignment.
Volunteer-led councils select programs to submit full applications.
January 27, 2018
Full applications due from qualified programs.
February – May 2018
Application review
Volunteer-led councils recommend funding
UWGG Board of Directors approve funding
Award letters mailed to grantees
July 1, 2018
Funding period begins for increasing income and financial stability and addressing basic needs impact areas.
July 2018
See Call for LOIs for specific timeline.
July 1, 2019
Funding period begins for Education and Health impact areas.
School’s out and over 100 kids are attending a summer camp for free thanks to generous supporters like you who donated to United Way’s Best Summer Ever. We’ve once again partnered with The Boys & Girls Club, YMCA and Proehlific Park to provide kids with a meaningful summer camp experience that will help them return to the classroom better equipped to stay on track and succeed.
Research shows keeping kids engaged in learning over the summer months is critical to academic success. Programming offered at these camps will not only keep kids engaged in learning but will also provide mentoring to encourage character growth.
Proehlific Park, operated by former NFL star Ricky Proehl, offers summer camp slots through the P.O.W.E.R. of Play Foundation. The foundation teaches the core values of Play, Opportunity, Work, Excellence and Respect (P.O.W.E.R).
Julia Eger, the foundation’s executive director says they are always excited to partner with United Way’s Best Summer Ever.
“I’ve heard stories about kids who end up staying home over the summer, some who have stayed home alone while their parents work. It’s not hard to image how this can lead to a lot problems,” says Julia.
“This is why I’m so excited about welcoming kids to Proehlific Park. It gets them out and active, and also provides a safe place where they can come and have mentors, because a lot of them don’t have that.”
At United Way’s Community Speaker Series in May, Mariah, a local mother of son who attended Proehlific Park’s summer camp last year spoke about the experience and said, “My son got off that camp bus with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. He was so excited.”
Julian attended Prolific Park’s summer camp last year. Above he checks out the room at United Way’s Speaker Series while his mother tells the crowd when he got off the camp bus last year he had the biggest smile she’d ever seen.
According to Julia, United Way’s partnership is helping reach local families who haven’t heard about the park or foundation.
“We want to be able to reach as many families and children as we can and empower hundreds of children along the way. United Way is helping us reach our goal.”
On June 13, at its annual meeting, United Way of Greater Greensboro announced new Board and Campaign Chairs and donors voted unanimously to welcome six new members to its board of directors.
New board members:
Cherie Avent, UNC Greensboro Doctoral Student
Manuel Dudley, Guilford Technical Community College
Mandy Eaton, Cone Health
Phil McCall, Greensboro Housing Authority
Dan Scutari, WFMY News 2
Leigha Smith, Wells Fargo
The United Way of Greater Greensboro board of directors provides direction, support, guidance, and governance to the organization by engaging business leaders as committed volunteers and leveraging expertise to advance the work of United Way.
United Way of Greater Greensboro is proud to announce its 2017 campaign raised a total of $11,230,000. The United Way is leading the local movement to end poverty in Greensboro through partnerships with human service organizations.
Over 14,000 caring people and 344 companies gave, 10 strategic grants were awarded and a lead estate and trust gift in honor of Thornton H. and Margaret Williams Brooks was received during this campaign cycle.
Phyllis Brooks and Jane Lybrook daughters of Thornton and Margaret Brooks say “Community was so important to our parents. They always felt like Greensboro was home and the center of everything. To them it was the heart of the Piedmont.”
Contributions made to the campaign will be invested in programs and initiatives that increase the economic mobility of Greensboro children and families.
“Our 95th annual United Way campaign represents a willingness by citizens to give back by providing a hand up to those in need. Greensboro is a place where philanthropy translates into hope and love in support of education and training to get jobs” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, President and CEO of UWGG.
“We appreciate how much the community has embraced the work of United Way to eradicate poverty in our city. The bold steps that have been taken by many in the past several years to tackle this issue is so admirable. The results are impressive and as more join our cause we will achieve the ultimate goal. Everyone deserves a chance in life to be successful. We applaud all who have helped in any way in this endeavor,” says Chuck Burns, 2017 Campaign Chair.
