February 2020 News
Days of Caring Scheduled for May 8 & 9
Our annual Days of Caring will be Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Go ahead and save the dates and start forming your team - volunteer registration will begin March 18 at volunteerhendo.org!

Last year, more than 400 volunteers contributed over 1,600 volunteer hours in Henderson County by working on a variety of projects such as landscaping, painting, sewing pillows for hospice patients, sorting children’s books and building garden beds. It is an eagerly anticipated occasion that engages many sectors of our community. We hope you will join us this year!
United Ways All Across the Country to Celebrate National 211 Day on February 11th
In honor of National 211 Day on February 11, we are celebrating this vital service that is used by millions of people across North America, and thousands of people in Henderson County each year. NC 211 is our statewide free, confidential information and referral system that connects callers and online visitors at any time of day or night with local health and human services and is supported by local United Ways across North Carolina.

Every day, clients dial NC 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services. When activated during a disaster, NC 211 also becomes the public information portal for disaster related information. 

“Last year, 3,684 callers from our community turned to NC 211 for help finding assistance with critical needs,” reported UWHC Executive Director Denise Cumbee Long. “No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen, identify underlying problems and connect callers to resources and services right here in Henderson County that can improve their lives,” she added.
Parents as Teachers Program Improves Financial and Emotional Stability for Local Family

The Parents as Teachers Program at Children & Family Resource Center is one of United Way of Henderson County’s funded programs to support Kindergarten Readiness and increase the percentage of Henderson County children entering Kindergarten ready to learn. This important program helps children learn, grow, and develop to realize their full potential by providing support and encouragement to parents to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. 

This program has been a big help to local parents like Helen and Julius who have been working hard to get back on their feet and regain custody of their children. When they came to the program through a DSS referral they were homeless and were working tirelessly to regain custody and get their family back. Helen and Julius were both working full time and knew that re-establishing a household with three children under five was going to be difficult.

The Parents as Teachers program taught them about child development, safety, and positive discipline and came at a critical time in their lives. The children are now living with their parents full-time and are doing well in preschool. Helen and Julius continue to work with their Parent Educator to find routines and learn parenting skills that support their busy family, and Helen has been able to enroll in school. Your support of United Way of Henderson County supports this program and seven other programs that are working to improve Kindergarten Readiness for children throughout Henderson County. 

Submitted by the Children & Family Resource Center. The Parents as Teachers program is partially funded by the United Way Community Investment Fund. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
We Can Connect You to the Impact
You Want to Make!
Volunteer Hendo is a one-stop-shop for posting and finding volunteer opportunities in Henderson County.
 
Are you are looking for a nonprofit volunteer experience in your community? Prospective volunteers can learn about a variety of volunteer opportunities and get connected with the one that is right for you.
 
Do you know a nonprofit that is looking for volunteers? Agencies can post opportunities, respond to volunteer inquiries, accept RSVPs to events, and track volunteer hours using the VH platform. The VH platform also makes it super easy to share opportunities on social media sites
 
Kira Isaksen, Safelight Volunteer Coordinator, says “I love using Volunteer Hendo! It is the easiest way for me to find people who match my volunteer needs. I've seen an increase in volunteers since using it, and it's free!" 
 
Want to learn more? Click the button below to visit our website.
Thank you to everyone who came and supported United Way at our Super Bowl Party!

We are particularly grateful to our Small Business League partners Southern Appalachian Brewery for providing a great venue for our party and two beer releases, and Pisgah Audio Video Lighting for the big screen display!

If you want to learn more about our Small Business League, contact
Kat Carlton or click on the button below.

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We have one life. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED®.