This month Uniting for Good features how individuals and nonprofits are saying YES to make a difference right here in our community. With campaign season upon us, we invite you to read on to learn more and help us get to YES.
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A tree falls in the Triangle...
Last week a giant tree came crashing down in the Triangle. This particular large limb fell from the pecan tree in our back yard and narrowly missed our house. It fell onto electrical wires and protruded into the street, blocking traffic and bending telephone poles.
I took a quick walk in the rain to the fire station down the street. The fire captain called the power company and all systems began to work as we expect systems to work in times of crisis. Yellow tape was deployed, chainsaws whirred, skilled and dedicated women and men worked throughout the night until barriers were cleared, and safety restored. The system worked for our family that night. Unfortunately, for many of the struggling families we work with, the system itself becomes a barrier instead of a resource.
My family was lucky. The only inconvenience we experienced was that I got a little wet on the walk and, for about 20 minutes, there was a possibility that we would have to leave our home. However, I will be honest, for those 20 minutes; my wife and I were scrambling trying to figure out where we could go to find shelter for our family for the night.
For 200,000 people living in poverty in the Triangle, their situations are even more complex and worrisome. Far too often, the families we work with face obstacles that mean a door is shut to them. They hear ‘No’. At United Way of the Greater Triangle, we are working every day with our collaborative partnerships of agencies; all dedicated to get families to YES. YES is what we know families need to be self-sufficient and thrive.
We need to get to YES for every family in the Triangle. Trees fall for all of us and we need to ensure that all of us can rely on systems that work to ensure that through our shared efforts, every child and every family have what we need to live up to the promise of the Greater Triangle region being the best place in America to live and raise a family.
- Eric Guckian,
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Can you help struggling families in the Triangle?
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YES
But YES is more than an answer. YES is our campaign focus but more importantly, it is the foundation that will help families become self-sufficient and thrive.
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YES is about achieving:
Y
-Youth Success
E
-Early Childhood Success and
S
-Stable Homes
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- Youth Success: The current job market requires that applicants possess both hard skills (computer, language, and writing, and analytical abilities) and soft skills (conflict management, giving and accepting criticism, team work, etc…). – Source: Youth Success NYC
- Early Childhood Success: The first years of life are crucial for a child’s brain development, and the quality of development in those early years sets the stage for the child’s future. The nurturing a child receives from all significant caregivers and the learning he or she does in those early years shapes the child’s ability to learn, to relate to others, and thus, be successful in school and in life. – Source: Nina Auerbach, Johns Hopkins School of Education
- Stable Homes: Children’s early experiences shape who they are and affect lifelong health and learning. To develop to their full potential, children need safe and stable housing, adequate and nutritious food, access to medical care, secure relationships with adult caregivers, nurturing and responsive parenting, and high quality learning opportunities at home, in childcare settings, and in school. – Source: Urban Institute
Our family centered approach provides these supports and resources for both children and their families to meet their needs today and give them the tools to succeed in the future. By working with nonprofits, area businesses, community and government leaders, we are improving lives across the Triangle. Be part of this change - volunteer or donate - to help families in need get to "YES".
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Fall is in the air and that means campaign season is kicking off.
Share how you are helping United Way get to YES by following and tagging us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @UWTriangle and use #Getting2YES.
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Social Innovation Spotlight
Southeast Raleigh Innovation Challenge Launches
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On July 22nd United Way of the Greater Triangle, Wake County, the City of Raleigh, and Southeast Raleigh Promise – in partnership with a Co-Design Team of community leaders – successfully launched the first
Southeast Raleigh Social Innovation Challenge with a $120,000 prize pool.
Community residents, small businesses, nonprofits, faith-based groups, youth (16-25) and other organizations pitched solutions that were innovative yet practical.
- 53 people who submitted eligible applications to the Challenge
- 25 participants were selected to proceed through the si-week accelerator process as semi-finalists, hosted by the Carolina Small Business Development Fund and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center.
- Finalists will be selected following completion of the accelerator and will be eligible to pitch to a panel of judges in the fall to receive funding for their idea.
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What is sustainable is when the community itself comes together and presents ideas because the community knows best what they need,” said Kirby Jones, Executive Director of Daniels Center for Math and Science in Southeast Raleigh and member of the Co-Design Team.
Ideas pitched ranged from neighborhood beautification and health/wellness to job skill opportunities for youth and people formally incarcerated.
The audience voted on a People’s Choice Award. Garner Road Community Center whose idea to train and certify community members in the culinary arts won the honor.
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We had tons of community members come out to share their ideas of how to innovate and bring about change for the growth of Southeast Raleigh. I was so happy to part of this program and am really looking forward to the future of what we are getting ready to do,” said Quintin Murphy of Southeast Raleigh Assembly, Co-Design Team member and host.
The Challenge is an investment in Southeast Raleigh’s future, with a vision to complement other initiatives currently underway in order to build thriving neighborhoods and improve social mobility.
Follow the progress on Twitter and Facebook using #InnovateSERaleigh
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Changing Generations Collaborative Spotlight
Johnston County Adolescent Parenting Transitions
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A Family Success Story
Bethany became pregnant her junior year of high school. By the time she was 20 weeks pregnant, Bethany already knew that her baby would face serious medical issues. Bethany’s baby was born in September, 2016 and endured multiple surgeries and hospital stays after that. In fact, mom and daughter spent the next four months in and out of the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill, NC.
Throughout this journey, Bethany stayed in school and completed her requirements for graduation with the support of the high school staff, family, friends, and the Adolescent Parenting Transitions (APT) Program (a United Way of the Greater Triangle funded collaborative partnership). As a result of Bethany’s hard work and perseverance, she was accepted into Campbell University and will begin this fall as a Pre-Med student. To assist with the costs of college, she applied for, and was awarded a scholarship funded by the APT Collaborative.
About the Johnston County Adolescent Parenting Transitions Program
APT provides services and support aimed at helping to transition adolescent parents in their senior year of high school into college/career and adulthood.
The collaborative:
- Provides parenting education and support to adolescent parents in effort to decrease the likelihood that the 2nd generation will become disconnected youth.
- Provides workforce development services and college/career preparation to increase likelihood of sustaining wages as an adult.
- Promotes educational achievement and post-secondary educational opportunities in conjunction with school system staff, local community college, and university admissions staff.
- Develops workforce connections throughout the community to provide career exposure and experience.
- Facilitates leadership development opportunities through volunteer and community activities, peer mentoring, and peer leadership.
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Are you interested in serving on a Nonprofit Board?
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SPARC Nonprofit Board Training
If you are interested in serving on nonprofit board, or are currently a board member and you'd like to learn more, then this training is for you.
United Way of the Greater Triangle’s SPARC Nonprofit Board Training is an 8-week, 14-hour training program designed to give you tools to serve as an effective board member of local nonprofit agencies.
Weekly workshops are facilitated by experienced professionals in the Triangle with strong connections to local nonprofits. Topics range from the basics of nonprofit operations to strategic planning to innovative ways local nonprofit agencies are serving our community.
Cost of the training is $35. Additionally, all participants must take part in a fundraising project to raise $100 or more for United Way of the Greater Triangle.
The Fall 2017 series will take place from September 12 through November 2. All sessions will be hosted at our office located off of Airport Blvd in Morrisville from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Light refreshments will be available at each session.
We are now accepting applications. Click here for more information.
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Corporate Leader
Spotlight
Clayton Dorn, Division Manager, UPS
A Q&A with Sara Stephens, Director of Individual Giving
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Sara: How do you feel about the positive impact United Way of the Greater Triangle has had on the youth in the Triangle?
Clayton: "
I am excited to see the impact United Way of the Greater Triangle has had on the youth by helping bridge the gap of various socio-economic classes. Young people of all backgrounds are equipped to become outstanding leaders of our community."
Sara: What do you think the future holds for our community?
Clayton: "
Exciting things are in store. There are a plethora of opportunities to unify and encourage the community to work together for the betterment of all. Our community is filled with philanthropic people who are looking for ways to help others. I believe our United Way is a great point of connection for those who desire to help and those in need. Whether giving or receiving, it is a win for all. "
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Teaming for Technology Program
Thank You to our intern Zareen
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Zareen was able to comprehend the work very quickly and immediately became a tremendous asset to the program and Program Director, Bonnie Ashley.
We will recognize her accomplishments for years to come. Thank you Zareen!
Click here to watch this short video highlighting the benefits of an internship with our Teaming for Technology Program.
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Social Media Spotlight -
The Family Table
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We are constantly in awe of the amazing work being done by our collaborative partners.
Today we visited The Family Table, a collaboration of five non-profit agencies who offer integrated services to improve the economic stability and well-being of food insecure families where one or more adults are unemployed or underemployed. The Family Table is made up of Catholic Parish Outreach, Alliance Medical Ministry, Child Care Services Association, Dress for Success, and StepUp Ministry.
Thank you for all you do to help families meet their immediate needs and provide them with the resources to help move them towards self-sufficiency.
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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