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Crucial Conversations
Danelle Glasscock
Problems.
The ones most people don't have the stomach for.
The ones nobody talks about at cocktail parties.
The ones that can't be solved overnight.
We go looking for them.
We find every dollar we can to address them.
But we are more than the fundraisers.
We are the hand raisers.
The game changers.....
What kind of parent are you? Most often parenting styles are defined into three types: Authoritarian (too hard), Permissive (too soft), and Authoritative (just right). However, I've recently heard, in drug epidemic conversations with experts in our community, three parenting styles defined as 1) Engaged parents 2) Unengaged parents and 3) Bad parents. (Sorry to be so blunt.) These experts agreed that the category of unengaged parents made up the majority.
For the three types of parents there are three different responses to the problem of drug abuse. For the first category of "engaged parents" and community members, they recognize issues and are proactive in having the difficult conversations in finding help and starting the road to recovery. For the second category of "unengaged parents" and community members, the response is an "it can't happen here mentality." These parents are in denial that their family is needing help and dismisses the seriousness of symptoms as just teenage antics. And then there's the third category of "bad parents." These parents are using drugs with their kids. Sorry to say it, but as a school official recently shared with me, it happens all the time. These last two responses are NOT okay.
When it comes to the drug epidemic that is here in our region of Northeast Tennessee, the first step to getting help is admitting we have a problem. "Yes, Houston, we have a problem!" It takes no more than a glance at the headlines of any front-page news story to see that. From the Kingsport Times-News on November 3, 2017 we see, "... in the Hawkins County Jail Sheriff Ronnie Lawson estimates that drugs are at the root of approximately 88% of the crimes committed by those inmates," and "(District Attorney General Barry) Staubus and others also reiterated that the explosion in the number of inmates in recent years is directly attributable to drug use."
So, what can we, as United Way with engaged donors, do about it? First, we can become educated as interested parents and citizens in our community on this issue of drug abuse. We recognize that this is a complicated issue but there are answers and there are things that everyone can do to help.
To that end, I invite everyone to attend a Community Forum, Tyler's Light, on November 13th from 6-8 PM at Sullivan South High School. More forums will be held next year, but the time is now. Please come, get informed and join us as United, we battle the opioid addiction in our region.
Also, a reminder to make these things happen, we cannot do it without the financial support of many donors to support our drug initiative, our reading initiative as well as the wonderful 30 agencies and 44 programs that are improving lives in our community every day. Thank you for your strong consideration of supporting this year's campaign. Pledges and donations submitted by November 17th will be included in our celebration amount to be announced on November 28th. We invite YOU to be a part of this change.
United We Fight, United We Win!
Danelle Glasscock
Executive Director
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United Way of Greater Kingsport invites you to view the Tyler's Light presentation that will be held at the Sullivan South High School Library on November 13th from 6 to 8 pm.
Tyler was a good kid who died too soon. His father now travels the country speaking to students about the dangers of drug abuse. This will be a
crucial conversation for students and adults in understanding the opioid epidemic.Panel speakers will include Second Judicial Distric Attorney General, Barry Staubus, Pediatrician, Dr. Nicole Miller, and Chad Duncan from Frontier Health. A light meal and refreshments will be provided.
We welcome parents, caregivers, community members, health care workers and educators to join the fight against drug abuse in Sullivan County
and learn ways to prevent drug abuse from occurring in our homes.
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Volunteer Kingsport - has launched!
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Representatives from Eastman Credit Union,
United Way of Greater Kingsport, and
United Way of Bristol TN/VA at Volunteer Kingsport press conference
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The United Way of Bristol TN/VA and the United Way of Greater Kingsport have partnered with Eastman Credit Union to launch online volunteer platforms in their communities. These online portals will allow community members to easily connect with quality volunteer opportunities in their communities through their desktop computers, mobile phones, or tablets.
The United Way of Bristol TN/VA's site is called Get Connected and the United Way of Greater Kingsport's site is called Volunteer Kingsport. Both sites offer visitors opportunities to find volunteer opportunities in a variety of ways. Visitors can filter results with search criteria such as "distance," "family friendly," and "outdoors." They can also view a monthly calendar of events or search for a favorite organization. The site also allows visitors to "fan" nonprofits so they are updated on the latest volunteer opportunities with that agency. Other benefits to the site include the ability to create a "volunteer resume" and arrange group volunteer outings with family, friends, or coworkers.
Volunteers are an important part of how United Way impacts needs in our community.
Eastman Credit Union has stepped up to sponsor the volunteer platform with a grant of $10,000. The sites represent a major collaborative endeavor, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the community through knowledge, cooperation, service and support by
showcasing volunteer opportunities for local nonprofits through a searchable database.
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United Way is important to ECU, because community is important to us. We see this software as an opportunity to improve efficiency and effectiveness of volunteers and the United Way admin staff, allowing more time and energy to be given to those in need," said Lynn Osborne, ECU Regional Director.
A press conference launching the new platforms will be held from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. at Eastman Credit Union's Blountville branch:
1911 TN-394, Blountville, TN 37617
. All media are invited to attend this launch and experience the site for themselves. Laptop computers will be available for media use to film the ease of using the site. Please RSVP to your local United Way if you are planning to attend the launch. Light refreshments will be served.
"United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. We win by improving over 1400 lives every single day. We cannot do this work without the power of the community coming together to support the work of nonprofit organizations," said Becca Sutphen, UWGK Community Impact Director. "In launching these volunteer platforms, we hope to give every person in our community and across the region an easy opportunity to access and experience the great work being done to serve our community every day. Volunteer Kingsport allows anyone to easily find a volunteer opportunity, sign up, and experience the tremendous impact of giving back."
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic: A Crucial Conversation
Tyler was a good kid who died too soon. His father now travels the country speaking to students about the danger of drug abuse.
Panel speakers:
- Barry Staubus, Second Judicial Distric Attorney General
-Dr. Nicole Miller, Pediatrician
-Chad Duncan, Frontier Health
Parents, caregivers, community members, health care workers and educators welcome.
Light meal and refreshments provided.
If you would like more information on how you can support local drug abuse prevention efforts, contact the United Way of Greater Kingsport at 423-378-3409 or [email protected]
Food City Celebrity Bagging
Do your Thanksgiving shopping and support United Way of Greater KIngsport at the same time! Visit your Eastman Rd., Clinchfield Rd. or Moreland Dr. Food City on November 21 to see community celebrities bagging groceries and help raise money for the UWGK campaign!
Tuesday, November 21
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Contact Mandi Cambre for more information or to get involved.
or 423-378-3409, x16)
UWGK Campaign Celebration
Celebrate the 2017 fundraising campaign with UWGK!
UWGK 101
Join us to learn more about volunteering with UWGK and how you can be a part of driving and inspiring community change!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Leadership Giving Event
Thursday, January 11, 2017
Snow Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2017
Location: TBD
Look for your invitation in the mail
Contact Lori Miller for more information
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or
Text "UWAYKPT" to 91999 to join the fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community!
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United Way of Greater Kingsport Campaign at 86.94% of Goal
United We Fight, United We Win! The 2017 United Way of Greater Kingsport Fundraising Campaign currently sits at 86.94% of dollars raised, or $3.12 million raised of our $3.6 million goal.
Pacesetter campaigns for 2017 are: Advanced Home Care, Appalachian Power, City of Kingsport, Domtar, Eastman, Eastman Credit Union, First Tennessee Bank, Frontier Health, Jacobs, Kingsport City Schools, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, and Wellmont Health Systems.
A gift to United Way of Greater Kingsport is a gift in support of improving 1400 lives every single day. UWGK supports 30 member agencies and their 44 corresponding programs, four major community impact initiatives, numerous partnership grants, and other United Ways and community chests in our region.
Our 2017 Campaign Goal is $3.6 million. Together, we can accomplish more than any single group. The needs in our community are great - as are the opportunities to address them. To succeed in creating positive, sustainable community change, we must be United in our vision of a better life for all. The dollars raised stay here in our community, improving the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors. Your contribution drives and inspires community change.
When you support United Way, you are making an investment in a better tomorrow.
Will you join the fight? We encourage you to continue investing in your community today by making your pledge. For questions about how you can GIVE ADVOCATE VOLUNTEER on behalf of the United Way, please contact our office at 423-378-3409.
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