United Way Stories
Meet the faces and organizations your donation helps every day.
We measure our success in lives changed. These stories are a testament to the difference our community can make when we come together to create lasting change.
Impact Grant Stories
Creating Paths Toward Stability at Cooperative Christian Ministry
Cooperative Christian Ministry serves Cabarrus and southern Rowan counties, moving people from crisis to restoration by relieving food insecurity, addressing homelessness and keeping families together.
Reducing Health Disparities Through Matthews Free Medical Clinic
Matthews Free Medical Clinic provides free high-quality health care, case management and educational services to low-income, uninsured patients in Mecklenburg and Union counties.
Growing Young Minds at Families First in Cabarrus County
Families First in Cabarrus County provides programs like ESL and GED classes and learning experiences like bilingual preschools that nurture children, empower parents and strengthen families.
Helping Neighbors Succeed Through Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry
Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry provides emergency support to help pay mortgage, rent and utility costs for Union County families who’ve fallen upon hard times.
Boosting Community Well-Being Through HealthReach Community Clinic
HealthReach Community Clinic provides free health care services and medications, helping to reduce health disparities and strengthen the well-being of Iredell County residents.
Building Brighter Futures at Men’s Shelter of Charlotte (Now Roof Above)
Men’s Shelter of Charlotte provides emergency shelter and basic needs, helping people get back on their feet and build a brighter future.
Boosting Youth Health and Happiness
Lanitta got pregnant with her daughter at age 13 and soon felt overwhelmed without people or a place she could turn to for support.
Unite Charlotte Stories
Cultivating Our Community’s Youngest Leaders
Unite Charlotte partners The Academy of Goal Achievers and Building Excellence Affirming Manhood (B.E.A.M.) Foundation educate, mentor and strengthen young minds.
Keeping Neighbors Connected Through North End Community Coalition
North End Community Coalition advocates for equitable communities in Charlotte by amplifying voices and connecting neighbors to opportunities.
Supporting Innovation at Cops and Barbers Inc.
Cops and Barbers Inc. provides opportunities to foster dialogue and improve police-community relations for equitable community growth across Charlotte.
Eliminating the Digital Divide
Motivated by his young daughter’s concern about fellow students struggling to complete assignments because they lacked access to a computer and internet connectivity in their homes, Pat Millen sought a solution to bridge the digital divide in area schools.
Guiding Future Young Professionals
After working hard to become a successful philanthropist and entrepreneur, Jania Massey sought a way to fill the void she saw with social capital and opportunity for girls of color in Charlotte.
Adapting to a New Home
With nearly 17,000 refugees resettling in Charlotte over the past 20 years, Rachel Humphries saw a need for helping these newly-arrived residents successfully adapt to their new home.
Unite Charlotte
United Way established Unite Charlotte in response to the civic unrest in Charlotte in late 2016. The initiative provides funding for local nonprofits and grassroots organizations focused on improving racial equity and increasing social capital.
Growing Teachers Into Leaders
Jason Terrell and Mario Shaw started Profound Gentlemen, a nonprofit focused on building a community of male educators of color – from pre-K through high school – who can provide a profound impact on boys and young men of color.
Creating New Opportunities
Dave Moore understands that young men getting out of jail most often won’t be able to secure a job quickly, because he’s an ex-felon himself; the idea for Southside Rides came to him while serving a sentence for dealing drugs.
United Neighborhoods Stories
Engaging, Educating and Empowering Families with Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance provides a safe, supportive and welcoming Charlotte community, bringing residents together to build a better neighborhood.
Strengthening Neighborhoods with Brookhill Community Association
Brookhill Community Association provides services, resources and opportunities for Charlotte residents to live safe, healthy and productive lives.
Tackling Food Insecurity in West Charlotte
For residents like Ms. Moore, eating well and accessing healthy, affordable groceries on a consistent basis are challenging when living in a lower-income, food insecure community.
Restoring Neighborhood Stability in Grier Heights
Grier Heights is changing as nonprofits, residents and other stakeholders work together to improve the neighborhood’s quality of life.
Making Neighborhood Strides in Renaissance
Charlotte’s Renaissance neighborhood is undergoing revitalization into a mixed-income community where families have a greater chance for success.
United Neighborhoods
United Neighborhoods launched in 2017 with a $2.4 million commitment over three years into the Renaissance and Grier Heights neighborhoods in Charlotte.
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