United Way of Central Georgia
October 2021 Newsletter
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Pink Promise United & Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
Pink Promise United is United Way of Central Georgia’s (UWCG) answer to filling the critical void in Central Georgia when Susan G. Komen Foundation closed and pulled out of the area in 2019. Shortly afterward, we launched our Pink Promise United initiative providing mammogram screenings and readings for women with the fewest resources who are uninsured, under-insured, low-income, and unable to access care. Our program also offers breast cancer awareness education and transportation assistance.
As we begin October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to remind the community of the importance of women's health and early detection. Just about all of us know someone who has been touched by breast cancer from our mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor, or daughter. Please join us in our promise to champion early detection and the ongoing need to help save the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our community.
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Dr. Cheryl Jones, MD
Medical Oncology & Hematology
Georgia Cancer Specialists
Campus of Piedmont Macon
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Brookdale Warming Center Renovation |
The Brookdale Warming Center is getting freshened up and looking better every day thanks to the Leadership Macon class. Each year the class chooses a project that will leave a positive impact on Macon-Bibb and the class of 2020/21 selected Brookdale Warming Center as their project focus.
The goal - to enhance the experience of those who temporarily reside at the Center by providing a more comfortable, inspiring, and supportive environment. United Way of Central Georgia gives a big shout-out of appreciation to the 20-21 class members for all the work you have done to enhance the Center and to help lift the spirits of the residents!
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Georgia’s First Steps Coordinator of the Year |
Congratulations to Lauralen Avery, UWCG’s First Steps Community Coordinator, for being named Georgia’s First Steps Coordinator of the Year!
First Steps Georgia supports any parent expecting a child and any caregiver for a child less than five years old. This program gives parents information on how best to keep their child healthy and safe and offers assistance to help with the best community resources that parents could want.
“This is a well-deserved recognition. Lauralen joined United Way of Central Georgia six years ago to start our First Steps program, and she quickly built it into one of the top-performing First Steps programs in Georgia. The secret of her success is the genuine love and caring she has for the moms and their newborns in our community and is evidenced by her continually going above and beyond to creatively find ways to meet their most urgent needs,” said George McCanless, President and CEO of United Way of Central Georgia.
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*Photo Source: The Telegraph, Macon.com
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United Way of Central Georgia Provides Resources to Local Residents Who Face Eviction |
United Way of Central Georgia 2-1-1 Contact Center connects individuals and families with community resources that enable them to thrive.
In addition to rent and utilities, a call or text can provide help with food pantries, job search placement programs, financial emergency assistance agencies, and more.
Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code and your “need” to 898-211.
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The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia is committing $175,000 to the United Way of Central Georgia to create 2-1-1 MOBILE, a six-month pilot initiative that ensures Macon-Bibb County residents have access to rental and utility assistance, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and other recovery resources. |
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Charity Navigator’s First Consecutive 4-star rating |
We are proud to announce United Way of Central Georgia has earned Charity Navigator’s first consecutive 4-star rating. This is their highest possible rating and indicates that our organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.
Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that we exceed industry standards and outperform most charities in our area of work. Only 40% of the charities they evaluate have received at least 1 consecutive 4-star evaluation, indicating that United Way of Central Georgia outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets us apart from our peers and demonstrates to the public our trustworthiness.
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Annual Jeff Smith Auto Raffle |
The annual Jeff Smith Auto Raffle is back for the 15th year. Jeff Smith Auto is partnering with United Way of Central Georgia once again to raffle off a new vehicle to the 2021-2022 raffle winner. Pictured is last year’s winner, Melissa Bonner.
The winner will be drawn on January 7th and will have their choice among 5 new vehicles including: 2021 KIA K5, 2021 Jeep Cherokee, 2021 Ram 1500 Base, 2021 Ford Explorer Base, and 2021 Ford Edge SE.
All proceeds generated from raffle ticket sales will go directly to United Way of Central Georgia to help overcome generational poverty in Central Georgia and advance the common good. Last year’s raffle raised $188,325!
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Everyone deserves opportunities to have a good life: basic needs (food, housing, clothing, employment, etc.), a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. |
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United Way of Central Georgia is a leading funder of health and human services that have a measurable impact in fourteen Central Georgia counties and improve the lives of more than 100,000 local people annually. Contact us today!
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