Meeting Local needs

As a Tacoma native, Geno loves living in the city but says it has felt like an uphill financial battle that he was left to fight alone. Like so many others, his income is too high to receive support from the public benefits system but too low not to need the help. With one child needing diabetes medication and another needing tutoring, Geno had begun searching for a second job when he got accepted into the Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) program.

UWGC's endeavors resonate deeply with the broader mission of United Way Worldwide. By addressing the roots of poverty through education, they empower individuals to achieve their full potential. Meghan Barp, President and CEO of the United Way of Greenville County, echoes this sentiment, “At every single point in a child's life, it's important to have robust community supports so that they're successful.”

In Tarrant County, Texas, an issue often overlooked is the struggle faced by older adults and individuals with disabilities in moving freely within their own homes. United Way of Tarrant County's Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County (AAATC) has been instrumental in bridging this gap, forming partnerships with local organizations to enable safety modifications, such as wheelchair ramps and bathroom grab bars.

Human trafficking is a global problem, and Ghana has long been used as a location of origin, passage, and destination for men, women, and children forced into labor and sex trafficking.  Approximately 22% of children in Ghana are engaged in some form of child labor. Of these, 60% of them have been trafficked on Lake Volta. Despite Lake Volta’s reputation, it is slowly becoming a site of hope and resilience. 

In Racine County, Wisconsin, where the literacy gap was once a looming challenge, a change is taking place. United Way, identifying the need for early reading proficiency, initiated the Schools of Hope project. By third grade, reading skills are a powerful predictor of academic achievement, and this initiative aimed to give children the tools they needed to thrive.

These dynamic women are leaders in their community, have demonstrated a significant commitment to advancing the issues of the United Way, as well as proven dedication to Women United.