United Way volunteers are a ‘community’s greatest asset’
United Way of Greater Atlanta is known by its tagline: “Give, Advocate, Volunteer,” and during the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has also seen this as its rallying cry. How do we help those most affected by this economic and health crisis? We united to do more for a community in a time of great need, […]
United Way volunteers ‘brighten people’s day’ through virtual projects during pandemic
Note: Photos used in this story were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Marie Wood grew up volunteering with her family at local community food banks, for activities with her church youth group and for other nonprofits spread across the Greater Atlanta area. Volunteering was something that excited her, that she was proud to be […]
United Way partners with faith-based organizations in communities for COVID testing, education
This story was originally published Feb. 26, 2021, and it has been updated as of March 30, 2021. Rev. Bronson Woods was planning to send 35 people to Ethiopia on behalf of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on March 1, 2020. That date sticks out to him for obvious reasons. During that trip, the team […]
211 agents offer help, empathy in time of great need
Melissa says she didn’t know 211 even existed before taking a job as a Community Connection Specialist just over three years ago. “I went to Georgia State University, and I had heard of United Way [of Greater Atlanta] in the years prior, but I had no idea that 211 was a thing and I never […]
211 agent uses personal experience to encourage callers daily
This story was published on Feb. 7, 2021, and it has been updated as of March 30, 2021 LaKeta’s phone rings, and she puts on her headset and adjusts her microphone before clicking on the screen of her monitor to answer. The woman on the other end tells LaKeta, a United Way of Greater Atlanta […]
Financial stability impacts the health of a community
Laura Salvatore Adams is passionate about public health work. But, more recently, she’s seen how the importance a community places on the health of its citizens can impact a family’s ability to grow its wealth. Adams is one of many United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Young Professional Leaders who volunteered in the LINC and YPL […]
‘This is enough to get me the boost I needed’
This story was published originally on Dec. 2, 2020 and has been updated as of March 30, 2021. Jackson Hayes moved to Atlanta from Charlotte, North Carolina to “get out of his comfort zone,” and pursue his interests in entertainment. “I’m single and live by myself — of course I’ve got some friends and stuff, and […]
Ser Familia pivots to provide emergency assistance during pandemic
Belisa Urbina knew the well-being of her staff was her most important priority, but could her community go without the services her nonprofit provides? Urbina and her husband founded the nonprofit Ser Familia in 2001 after moving from Puerto Rico to Georgia in 1999. In the nearly two decades since its inception, Ser Familia has […]
‘They work so hard and care so strongly about the people that they are serving’
A man had his hours cut at work — from eight hours a day down to three — because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, his employer told him that they would have to let him go. There was only one thought on his mind, though: how was he going to pay for his rent and […]
Grant funding helps most vulnerable populations of Greater Atlanta
David was experiencing shortness of breath. As an undocumented American, he was afraid to leave for the hospital and afraid to leave his family alone — so he called the Latino Community Fund of Georgia. He was desperate, and he thought this could be one of the last phone calls he ever made. He needed it […]