LIVE UNITED® OVERCOMING POVERTY IS NOT A GESTURE OF CHARITY, IT’S AN ACT OF JUSTICE. - Nelson Mandela 2015 - 16 United Way of Greater Greensboro Annual Report United Way of Greater Greensboro BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP BOARD OFFICERS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP BOARD CHAIR Aaron Strasser PRESIDENT AND CEO Michelle Gethers-Clark VICE CHAIR Jason Bohrer VP MAJOR GIFTS Elizabeth Green TREASURER Jason Strange VP COMMUNITY INVESTMENT & IMPACT Frank McCain SECRETARY/LEGAL COUNSEL M. Daniel McGinn VP FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Marci Haussler Peace CAMPAIGN CHAIR Jason Bohrer VP MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Michael Cottingham BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jason Bohrer Kimberly B. Gatling Dr. Paul Leslie Brian Pierce Jason Strange Tina Akers Brown Jeff Gauger Kathi Lester Kent Price Aaron Strasser Dan Burdett Michelle Gethers-Clark Chris Loflin Dr. Edward A. Robinson Jane Trevey Pete Callahan Regina Howard Glaspie Dr. Samantha Magill Judy A. Schanel Jim Westmoreland Sue W. Cole Robin Hager Dr. Harold L. Martin Martin S. Schneider Sue D. White Mike Diamond John Houghtby M. Daniel McGinn Susan F. Shumaker Dr. Terrence Young Mae Douglas Jeff Johnson Ron Milstein Pastor Lee Stokes Benjamin Zuraw Angela Bullard Fox Mark Kiel Rich Newman Gregg Strader MISSION To improve lives and create thriving communities by mobilizing and uniting the caring power of greater Greensboro. NOTES OF GRATITUDE It has been an honor to serve as the community’s biggest need. Board Chair for United Way of Greater We have laid out a clear strategic plan to Greensboro. We are very fortunate to have reduce generational poverty. a talented staff led by a visionary leader. We are investing in proven collaborations I am so proud of the commitment this and are providing basic needs for our most board and the United Way has made on the vulnerable neighbors. issue of poverty in greater Greensboro. Thanks to generous community and As we continue to learn more about the corporate support, we are helping families impact of poverty on children, families have brighter futures and transforming the AARON STRASSER and adults in our community, the more we greater Greensboro community. 2015 CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS are convinced that we are addressing our The NEW United Way is creating Looking ahead to 2020 means focusing partnerships to reduce poverty in greater on growth in key areas of community Greensboro. Smiles, tears, laughter and impact, donor & volunteer engagement and hope have filled hallways and homes this fundraising. year where stress once lived. The road to eliminating poverty is long The collective power of people sharing their and hard. I am encouraged every day by prosperity as donors, volunteers, partner helping one person and one family at a agencies, and caring community members time. has improved lives for thousands in need. Thank you to a community that never stops MICHELLE We conducted the business of philanthropy giving, believing and doing good. in an efficient way by spending seven cents GETHERS-CLARK to raise $1 to create $1.80 of community PRESIDENT AND CEO impact. This is a powerful ROI. The NEW United Way is creating partnerships to reduce poverty in greater Greensboro. Learn more at UnitedWayGSO.org YOUR LOCAL IMPACT 2015-16 CAMPAIGN TOTAL: $10,445,000 7¢ $1.00 $1.80 United Way of Greater Greensboro spends 7¢ to raise $1.00 and through collaboration we turn it into $1.80 of community impact! IMPACT AREA OUTCOMES United Way and its community partner agencies delivered 94,117 service interactions to greater Greensboro residents in 2015-16. Below are a few outcomes of those served. of children were prepared to enter of adults were better prepared to help 88% school healthy, safe, & ready to succeed 85% children be successful of children advanced to the next of people increased their financial 84% grade level adequately prepared 80% literacy of people were better able to access of people reported having an ongoing 92% needed health care 66% source of medical care of people demonstrated improved of people prevented or minimized 79% health 92% crisis through community support 2015-16 annual campaign funds support 2016-17 programs. For a complete financial report and listing of community investments, see back of annual report. A UNITED SUCCESS “BEHIND THE SCENES WHETHER YOU KNOW IT OR NOT, UNITED WAY IS THERE.” - TIMOTHY STRIBLIN Timothy Striblin spent 75 percent of his time inside a cell while he was incarcerated at the Guilford County Detention Center. Most of his days were dedicated to reading and studying his Bible, praying that there was a way to further his education to prepare him for life on the outside. His prayers were answered when he learned about a United Way funded program, Detention Center Literacy. This program helps improve basic literacy, self-esteem, and leadership skills. United Way knows that in order for our community to thrive and be a better place for all, everyone no matter their life situations, deserves access to learning opportunities. Timothy remembers telling his instructor that he wanted to succeed in life. He says, “The people who aren’t going to be incarcerated forever want insight and something to look forward to.” His desire to learn quickly grew and when he asked his instructor to challenge him, Timothy says “she responded with harder lessons, taught stuff I didn’t know, and we even read a book by Maya Angelou.” Timothy says United Way’s support made him “realize that regardless of the situation I’m in, I can start over and approach life differently.” Not only has Timothy changed his life for the better, he has begun inspiring others to do the same by speaking on behalf of United Way. Photo/Anna Paschal Photography (L-R) The Volunteer Center’s Carley Swaim, Erin Kennedy and Hope Tyler. Photo/Anna Paschal Photography A UNITED INITIATIVE “WHEN PEOPLE VOLUNTEER, THEY WITNESS THE EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT UNITED WAY HAS ON OUR COMMUNITY.” - CARLEY SWAIM Carley Swaim’s passion to help the community through meaningful volunteer experiences was sparked at United Way and caught fire at The Volunteer Center of Greensboro. While working at United Way, Carley strategically grew volunteer outreach, more than doubling engagement with young professionals. As fate would have it, she was later chosen to become Executive Director of The Volunteer Center of Greensboro, a United Way Initiative that’s helping to mobilize thousands of people per year. Engaging people through volunteering is critical in showcasing and addressing our community’s most pressing needs. Carley understands that to be successful in reducing poverty, United Way has to reach caring people who are willing to dedicate their time and talents to the cause. She says, “United Way’s tagline is ‘Give, Advocate, Volunteer’ and I like to think that we are the volunteer arm of that tagline.” Thanks to The Volunteer Center’s support, United Way provides meals to needy families, mentors youth, offers a day of free legal advice and this year built a community garden! A UNITED VOLUNTEER “I THINK AN IMPORTANT PART OF LIFE IS TO GIVE YOUR TIME TO A CAUSE IN WHICH YOU BELIEVE.” - KEYSHIA HAITHCOCK-JOHNSON Keyshia Haithcock-Johnson’s understanding of service to others started early in life. Throughout childhood, she and her mother regularly donated clothing to people in need, and she occasionally joined her grandmother and aunt when they cleaned their church on the weekends. After graduating from Bennett College, Keyshia decided that she was going to stay in Greensboro and that her career and life would be dedicated to making an impact by pursuing her passion to serve others. She started her career at Black Child Development Institute of Greensboro, a United Way community partner, and became very impressed with United Way’s support. Keyshia, now Director of Development & Community Relations at the Institute, quickly decided to donate her time and treasure. She joined United Way’s Young Leaders engagement group and was selected to serve as a cabinet member. Keyshia also volunteered as a Loaned Executive during the 2013 United Way campaign to help spread the message of impact. In 2016, her peers elected her Chair of Young Leaders. Keyshia says, “I support United Way and Young Leaders to connect with people who have a similar heart for service and passion for improving the quality of life in this community.” Thanks to dedicated volunteers like Keyshia, United Way’s Young Leaders and other engagement groups are creating revolutionary change in greater Greensboro. Photo/Anna Paschal Photography Photo/Anna Paschal Photography A UNITED CAMPAIGN “THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO ENSURE FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAN BY INVESTING IN ALL KIDS.” - ERIK NAGLEE E.P. Pearce Elementary School’s emphasis on philanthropy is an example of United Way fundraising excellence. Most people credit this achievement to the school’s principal, Erik Naglee. In Erik’s first year, Pearce raised $10,000 for its United Way campaign, the highest in the school’s history. Since then, that amount has increased every year and in 2015, reached $15,000. Pearce leads the biggest campaign in the Guilford County School System and for the fifth year in a row, boasts 100% employee participation. United Way of North Carolina has honored Pearce with a Spirit of North Carolina Award for demonstrating excellence in its United Way campaign four years in a row. Pearce achieves such high fundraising results through fun, competitive events and activities. Erik is always the first person to volunteer for a fundraiser, no matter the task. He has been knocked over by students while in a Bubble Ball, slept on the school’s roof for a night, taken multiple pies in the face and has dressed as Olaf from the Disney movie, Frozen.