Tag: mentoring

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

Posted on by April Laughlin

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. 

###

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 

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

Posted on by Taylor Chapman

“Mr. Sutton was the one who kept me going. I don’t think I would have graduated without his support.“ – Dominique Alexander

As a retired NC A&T State University basketball coach, Bill Sutton is no stranger to offering young men motivation, and as a young man navigating the ups and downs of life, Dominique Alexander is always looking to improve his game.

The two have formed a lasting relationship through United Way of Greater Greensboro’s African American Male Initiative (AAMI), which is a component of the organization’s Mentoring Matters program. With the support of Communities in Schools, AAMI is offered to students at Wiley Elementary, Jackson Middle, and Smith High Schools.

When AAMI began 11 years ago, Bill was among the first group of men to volunteer as a mentor. Over the years, he has mentored 10 youth, encouraging some along their paths from elementary school to college.

United Way supports mentoring as a pathway out of poverty because it’s proven to help youth make responsible choices, excel in school, and avoid risky behaviors.

Dominique was in elementary school when Bill became his mentor and the two have stayed connected ever since. Dominique, who lives with his grandmother, says Bill has been there for him through some pretty tough situations.

“Mentoring, like life, is a journey and things don’t always go the way you think they should. But throughout all of it, you have to accentuate the positive. Sometimes, just being positive and encouraging is all someone needs to make it through,” said Bill.

As Dominique made his way through high school, Bill was one of a few people invited to his graduation. “Mr. Sutton is always there when I need him. And I’ve needed his support a lot,” said Dominique. He adds, “Mr. Sutton was the one who kept me going. I don’t think I would have graduated without his support. After graduation, Mr. Sutton helped me get a job, and he helped me enroll in college.”

“Through it All” – Dominique and Bill have formed a relationship that has lasted nearly a decade, and shows no signs of stopping.