Meeting Local needs

Julian, 58, is homebound due to his health conditions. He also takes care of his 92-year-old mother, who requires constant supervision. They both live in a modestly furnished two-room flat, surviving on his sickness pension and disability allowance.

In Southwest Virginia the threat of persistent poverty has cast a long shadow. Over the course of decades, this lingering issue has affected 6% of the state's population or more than 492k Virginia residents, leaving entire counties trapped in a cycle of deprivation. Breaking this cycle requires more than just good intentions. Persistent poverty is a complex issue that includes educational outcomes, transition to employment, access to healthcare and opportunities for financial stability. Most of the affected counties are part of the Virginia’s southwest region and are served by the United Way of Southwest Virginia (UWSWVA), that is meeting the challenge through innovative interventions.

For more than 30 years, United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s partner, Forgotten Harvest, has helped fight hunger in metro Detroit by rescuing surplus food from restaurants, grocery stores, caterers and more and delivering it free of charge to local pantries and food banks. The organization has struggled with surges in demand, fewer volunteers and food shortages that required staff to revamp their overall operating model in a matter of days.

With the help of United Way of Greater Atlanta, the Future Foundation supports underserved youth in one of the worst regions in Atlanta for child wellbeing. Future Foundation works in low-performing schools where students come from low-wage families. The focus is on students who are at greater risk for dropping out, including those who’ve repeated grades, are performing below grade level in language arts and math scores, and have discipline issues or attendance problems.

The first few years are critical ones for children to development a foundation for success in school, work and life. United Way of Mexico is fueling United Way's Born Learning program across Mexico, a United Way initiative that helps parents, caregivers and early childhood education professionals give children the resources and support they need to start school ready to succeed.

Two years ago, Senait, a young woman from Ethiopia, picked up her life and moved to the United States. At first, she held down two jobs, working as a cashier for both Dunkin Donuts and 7-Eleven, while learning English at her local community college. But employers only offered her late-night, part-time hours – underemployment meant she wasn’t earning enough to provide for herself or plan for the future.