United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Family Success Center Celebrates 5 Years

Greensboro, NC (March 24, 2020) – Five years ago, United Way of Greater Greensboro’s first Family Success Center (FSC1) opened its doors. While the anniversary celebration originally scheduled for today has been postponed due to COVID-19, United Way invites the community to celebrate the members of FSC1 and all of their accomplishments.

Over the last 5 years, United Way’s FSC1 at Guilford Child Development Center has become a nationally recognized model, serving over 1,000 greater Greensboro residents in nearly 350 households.

United Way’s FSC model brings together partners across nonprofit, business and government sectors. Together, these partners offer services in one location that focus on access to public supports, education and career development, financial skills, health and wellness, and basic needs.

In addition to bundling services in one location, United Way’s FSC model removes barriers by offering childcare and transportation and places entire families on a path to financial stability.

Over the past five years, FSC1 members have achieved great outcomes including:

  • Nearly two thirds of adults maintained or improved their employment situation
  • Eighty percent of adults maintained or improved their educational status
  • Nearly two thirds of adults maintained or increased strength in family support for early childhood education
  • Over two thirds of adults maintained or improved their skills in budgeting and saving

In late 2018, United Way launched a second FSC at The Salvation Army Center of Hope, which began serving families in January 2019. 

Every FSC family is paired with a caring coach who provides long-term support and guidance. While each member’s goals may vary, the FSCs focus on ending poverty stays the same.

Each location is able to move people out of crisis, offer stability and growth, and prepare them to handle life’s challenges. Families who participate in the FSC year-round programming and coaching stay engaged as long as they choose in order to meet their individual goals.

“All of the partners who make the work possible at our Family Success Center show the true spirit of collaboration that makes Greensboro so special. The FSC teams share a commitment to truly being there for our families for the duration of their journey. It can be a long and complex journey with lots of obstacles thrown in your way, but our FSC members are showing us that with the right mix of support, access, and opportunity, they can and do reach their goals,” said Sarah Glover, United Way of Greater Greensboro Family Success Centers Manager.

Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation demonstrates that individuals receiving services in this manner (called integrated services delivery) are three to four times more likely to achieve a major financial stability outcome than clients receiving only one service. The addition of intensive support services and coaching makes clients five times more likely to achieve a major financial stability outcome. Both of United Way’s FSCs leverage the strength of the evidence-based, anti-poverty strategy of integrated services delivery.

For more information on United Way’s FSCs, please visit unitedwaygso.org.



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