Category: News release

College Students Invited to Apply for United Way Alternative Spring Break

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

LoveGSO Spring Break Greensboro, NC (February 7, 2018) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is seeking college students to participate in a local Alternative Spring Break, March 5 – 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Interested students must complete a short application by February 23, by visiting www.UnitedWayGSO.org/SpringBreak

10 to 12 local college students will be chosen through the application process have hands-on volunteer experiences and exclusive “behind the scenes” visits to awesome Greensboro businesses.

Volunteer activities include street clean up, community garden work, sorting donations and painting.

Behind the scenes locations include FORGE, Center for Creative Leadership, HQ Makers Space, International Civil Rights Museum and Revolution Mill.

Breakfast snacks and lunch will be provided daily.

Participants must be able to meet at United Way’s office each morning – travel to volunteer and behind the scenes location will be provided.

United Way Receives $210,000 Grant to Help Local Women Earn GEDs and Increase Financial Stability

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro has received a $210,000 grant from the Women to Women Fund of The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro to help local women earn GEDs and increase their financial stability.

 

United Way will receive $70,000 a year over the next three years to support programming at its Family Success Center (FSC) which connects families with education, work and income supports, employment and career advancement, access to health and wellness services, and financial education and asset building.

United Way serves as the strategic leader of the FSC and leverages relationships with 30 human services experts, business leaders, governmental agencies and philanthropists to develop solutions. The FSC is located at Guilford Child Development and its integrated service delivery approach connects families with resources and services that reduce the impact of poverty.

Grant funds will be used to:

  • Support local women at the FSC who are on the path to earning GEDs and skills training to prepare them for employment and job advancement.
  • Ensure that children of mothers in the GED program obtain on-site, high-quality childcare and afterschool care.

The FSC’s GED program is the only high school equivalency degree completion program in Guilford County that offers on-site high-quality childcare. This cornerstone two-generation approach to learning has been identified as a main reason mothers participate.

National statistics indicate that 80% of the 12 million children living with a single parent live with their single mother. In most cities, including Greensboro, female headed households with pre-school aged children are experiencing 40% poverty rates. United Way of Greater Greensboro is creating partnerships to reduce generational poverty by increasing household income to the point of self-sufficiency and financial stability.

Vanessa Ferguson to Perform at United Way’s 95th Campaign Kick off and Community Celebration

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

The community is invited to join United Way of Greater Greensboro on August 31, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Revolution Mill in Greensboro for a celebration 95 years in the making.

The entirely free event, which kicks off United Way’s 2017 campaign also celebrates United Way’s 95th year in the community and will feature a performance by Vanessa Ferguson. Ferguson was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice and tours the U.S.

Attendees will also be treated to Natty Greene’s beer, Cugino Forno pizza and gelato, Wow What a Drink juice, water, a DJ and more. People are encouraged to RSVP at www.UnitedWayGSO.org.

Participants should enter Revolution Mill at Textile Drive and walk across the bridge. United Way volunteers will be on hand to offer directions to the event location.

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.

2017 Pacesetter Campaigns:

  • Allen Tate Realtors
  • American National Bank & Trust
  • BB&T
  • Carruthers & Roth, P.A.
  • Center for Creative Leadership
  • Children’s Home Society
  • City of Greensboro
  • Duke Energy Corporation
  • First Citizens Bank & Trust
  • Guilford County
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals
  • Norfolk Southern Corporation
  • Piedmont Natural Gas
  • Sharrard, McGee & Co., P.A.
  • Target Corporation
  • United Way of Greater Greensboro
  • UPS
  • Volunteer Center of Greensboro

 

 

MeaningFULL Meals Helping Feed Children Over Summer Months

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

MeaningFULL Meals Helping Feed Children Over Summer Months

Greensboro, NC (June 17, 2017) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is mobilizing the community throughout July with its annual MeaningFULL meals program in partnership with BackPack Beginnings and The Volunteer Center of Greensboro.

Four 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.

Through the month of July, community members are encouraged to host food drives to supply the food pantry at Wiley Elementary, that also supports students of Jackson Middle and Smith High School.

For the second year in a row, BackPack Beginnings has joined the partnership by managing the food pantry during the summer months, preparing bags of food for pick up and being a drop off location for food donations.

Food drive donations supporting MeaningFULL Meals can be dropped off at Wiley Elementary, BackPack Beginnings and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

A full list of needed items can be found at UnitedWayGSO.org/Volunteer

 

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United Way of Greater Greensboro is celebrating 95 years: 1922 – 2017. We fight for the opportunity, prosperity and future of every person in greater Greensboro by creating partnerships that reduce poverty. We bring together dynamic and caring professionals and volunteers who teach, coach and inspire the 57,000 people in our community living in poverty. With so many of our neighbors struggling to become self-sufficient, United Way believes poverty must be replaced with sustainable solutions that meet the unique needs of children, adults and ENTIRE families. www.unitedwaygso.org

The Volunteer Center of Greensboro strengthens our community by creating meaningful volunteer connections. We connect people, promote volunteerism, support nonprofits and build partnerships. www.volunteergso.org

BackPack Beginnings, founded in 2010 by Parker White, a native of Greensboro and mother of 2 children, is a 100 percent volunteer-run and donor-driven organization. What started out as a feeding program in one school feeding 50 children has grown to a multi-program organization serving over 4,000 children a year. BackPack Beginnings’ mission is to deliver child-centric services to feed, comfort and clothe children in need.  By ensuring food and basic necessities are given directly to children in need, we make a positive and lasting impact on their health and well-being. Find out more or support BackPack Beginnings through in-kind donations, funds or volunteering, visit www.backpackbeginnings.org. 

United Way of Greater Greensboro Opens Funding Process, Asks for Letters of Interest

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

 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 income and financial stability or addressing basic needs. 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 2018-2020.

Applicants can access a detailed list of funding objectives, strategies and indicators at: www.UnitedWayGSO.org/Our-Grants

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 2019, new and existing community partners whose services focus on increasing educational achievement and improving health outcomes will be invited 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 2017 Call for Letters of Interest (LOI) shared in multiple ways

  • Press Release
  • UWGG Website
  • UWGG Social Media
  • Guilford Nonprofit Consortium
July – August, 2017 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.
November 2017 Notification is sent to programs that are selected to submit full applications.
November 2017 –

January 2018

 Application training and technical assistance offered by UWGG staff for program applicants.
January 27, 2018 Full applications due from qualified programs.
February – April 2018 Application review
May 2018
  • 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.
TBD dates in 2018 LOI process for Education and Health impact areas begins.
July 1, 2019 Funding period begins for Education and Health impact areas.

 

United Way Announces Board and Campaign Chairs, Welcomes New Board Members

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

On June 14, at its annual meeting, United Way of Greater Greensboro announced new Board and Campaign Chairs and donors voted unanimously to welcome eight new members to its board of directors.

 

Board of Directors Chair:

  • ​Gregg Strader, EVP, Chief Banking Officer, American National Bank & Trust

2017-18 Campaign Chair:

  • ​Chuck Burns, Corporate Development Officer, Vice President, First Citizens Bank

New Board Members:

  • Darryl Aaron, Providence Baptist Church
  • Charlos Banks, Guilford County Schools
  • Ty Bilderback, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
  • Michele Deuterman, ITG Brands
  • Mike Gillis, DMJ & Co., PLLC
  • Sandra Harris, VF Corporation
  • Chris Langley, Syngenta
  • Adam Tarleton, Brooks Pierce

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.

“I am honored to serve as chair of the United Way board of directors and look forward to fighting for the opportunity, prosperity and future of every person in greater Greensboro,” says Strader.

United Way Day of Action Collecting Hygiene Kits for those in Need

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

Last call to join United Way of Greater Greensboro on June 21 for Day of Action to collect hygiene kits that will be distributed to neighbors in need.

On June 21, people across the world will volunteer in their communities to celebrate United Way’s 2017 Day of Action. Day of Action is a worldwide event that promotes volunteerism.

Locally, United Way will be collecting hygiene kits filled with basic needs items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo, for neighbors that do not have everyday access to these items.

Hygiene kits will be delivered to the Greensboro Urban Ministry, Interactive Resource Center and United Way’s Family Success Center.

Instructions for building hygiene kits can be found at UnitedWayGSO.org/event/day-of-action/.

“Basic needs items are things we often take for granted because they are right at our fingertips. Some of our neighbors do not readily have access to these everyday items. It’s when the community comes together to help support our neighbors that change can happen, not only now but beyond,” says Radiah Pinckney, Manager of Volunteer and Community Engagement at United Way.

United Way is also accepting donations of basic needs items at 1500 Yanceyville Street, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Wednesday, June 21.

2016 United Way Campaign Highlights

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

Another Strong Year of Community Support Helps Local Residents Become Self-Sufficient

Greensboro, NC (May 23, 2017) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is proud to announce a 2016 campaign total of $10,100,000. Over 17,000 caring people contributed a total of $9,620,000. In addition, United Way secured $480,000 in strategic grants during the campaign cycle.

“Thanks to caring individuals, dedicated corporations, and community partners, local children, adults and families are receiving the skills and help they need to prosper. We win as a community when we reduce poverty and our positive outcomes are attracting local and regional financial support and are gaining the attention of national audiences,” says Gregg Strader, 2016 Campaign Chair.

United Way utilizes gifts to support collaborative partnerships and local programs that work together to help children, adults and families replace poverty with self-sufficiency.

United, babies are born healthy and adults have access to care.
United, children learn to read and develop character skills.
United, Adults earn GEDs, land new jobs and build careers.
United, neighbors have the resources they need to be successful.

 

“There is no doubt that the greater Greensboro community supports United Way’s innovative and strategic model to reduce poverty. Thanks to this continued support, United Way is generating life-changing, and sustainable results that will positively impact our community for generations to come,” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, President and CEO of UWGG.

Jason Bohrer, Board of Directors Chair of UWGG, says, “I want to thank the community for its continued support. It has been an honor to serve on the Board of the United Way of Greater Greensboro the past four years, and this year as chair. We have focused our efforts on reducing generational poverty and I am proud of the progress our wonderful staff, volunteers, donors and community partners have made.”

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LIVE UNITED: United Way of Greater Greensboro is celebrating 95 years of improving lives and building a stronger community: 1922 – 2017. We create partnerships that reduce poverty by leading long-term solutions that meet the unique needs of ENTIRE families. We bring together dynamic and caring professionals and volunteers who teach, coach and inspire the 57,000 people in our community, struggling to obtain basic needs. The federal government defines poverty as family of four earning $24,300 per year. With so many of our neighbors struggling to meet basic needs, United Way believes poverty must be addressed so that our community can thrive. www.unitedwaygso.org

Nationally Recognized Author, Sampson Davis, at United Way Community Speaker Series

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro is welcoming nationally recognized physician Sampson Davis M.D.

United Way of Greater Greensboro is welcoming nationally recognized physician and New York Times Best-selling author, Sampson Davis, M.D., as this year’s keynote for the 2017 Community Speakers Series at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center on May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The media is invited to attend.

While in high school, Dr. Davis and two fellow students made a promise to one another to become doctors. All three childhood friends each successfully became doctors and later created The Three Doctors Foundation, which offers free programs focused on health, education, leadership and mentoring. He is a board certified Emergency Medicine Physician at St. Michaels Medical Center in Newark, NJ.
Oprah Winfrey named Dr. Davis one of the world’s most influential role models and he has co-authored three New York Times best-selling books, entitled The Pact, We Beat the Street, and The Bond.

Dr. Davis has appeared on a number of talk and radio shows, including, Oprah, The Today Show, The Michael Baisden Radio Show, Tavis Smiley, NPR, and has been a weekly correspondent on the Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show and CNN.

He is the youngest physician to receive the National Medical Association’s highest honor, The Scroll of Merit. He was also honored in 2000 with the Essence Life Achievement Award and named by the magazine as one of the forty most inspirational African Americans in the country.

Dr. Davis will share his personal story about the power of perseverance, dreaming big and how we all have the ability to transform the lives of others.

United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Community Speaker Series convenes people from across our community to learn together, connect with one another, and be inspired while supporting the work of United Way. United Way’s African American Leadership is hosting this year’s event and VF Corporation is this year’s presenting sponsor. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at www.UnitedWayGSO.org.

United Way and The Volunteer Center Partner for National Volunteer Week

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro and The Volunteer Center of Greensboro have partnered to provide the community with over 20 volunteer opportunities during National Volunteer Week, April, 23 – 29.

Volunteer opportunities throughout the week include sorting food items to be delivered to those in need, a beautification project in Barber Park, a roadside clean up on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and more.

Volunteer opportunities offered through National Volunteer Week can be found at: UnitedWayGSO.org/volunteer.

“United Way and The Volunteer Center are excited to get people engaged in acts of service. We’ve collaborated with a variety of nonprofit organizations to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences to make local impact,” says Radiah Pinckney, Manager of Volunteer and Community 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.

“Through volunteerism, we have the power to bring real and positive change to our communities. Our acts of service don’t have to be huge to be important- a simple act of kindness can change everything. It’s through volunteering that we can truly come to understand and serve the needs of the community,” says Hope Tyler, Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement at The Volunteer Center.