By Frank McCain, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Greensboro
Every day in Greensboro, families who are doing everything right still face impossible choices: pay the rent or buy groceries; cover childcare or keep a job; fill a prescription or fill the gas tank.
These aren’t isolated stories. Nearly 1 in 5 Greensboro residents lives below the federal poverty line. And thousands more work full-time but still can’t afford the basics—housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and transportation. These neighbors earn too much to qualify for many supports, yet not enough to keep up with the rising cost of living. One unexpected bill can tip a household into crisis.
Behind every number is a person. I think of Jerome, a father who once worked third shift and spent hours commuting by bus, all while trying to keep his family stable. With steady guidance and access to the right mix of resources—reliable childcare, safe housing, and a job with a future—he began to get traction. Today, he works full-time with Guilford County Schools, raising his family with pride and planning for goals that once felt out of reach, like homeownership.
Jerome’s story reminds us: poverty is not a personal failure—it’s a systems problem. When childcare costs can rival a mortgage, when rents outpace wages, when one illness wipes out a month’s budget, families don’t lack grit—they lack a fair shot.
At United Way of Greater Greensboro, we believe poverty is not inevitable. We are conveners—bringing together community leaders, nonprofits, employers, educators, faith partners, and policymakers—because no single program or sector can solve this alone. Real solutions are holistic, connecting housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, financial coaching, and workforce pathways. They start with listening, and they succeed when we act together.
This November, our community has a chance to move from awareness to action at Beyond Poverty GSO—a two-day experience designed to deepen understanding and build solutions:
– Nov. 5: Poverty Simulation, facilitated by Triad Goodwill, hosted at First Presbyterian Church
– Nov. 7: Beyond Poverty GSO Summit at the Conference Center at GTCC
Attendees will leave with tangible next steps to take action. Ending poverty is possible. When families thrive, Greensboro thrives. I hope you’ll join us.
Learn more & register: unitedwaygso.org/beyondpovertygso
“Poverty is relentless. But so are we. And together, Greensboro can become the blueprint for beating it.” — Frank McCain
Learn more about local poverty trends and community solutions by visiting our Poverty Quick Facts.
Author: Frank McCain, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Greensboro
Date: October 16, 2025
