Welcome to Voices United, our newest series that highlights the stories of our diverse and incredible community of supporters, in their own words — and our shared commitment to the neighborhoods we call home.
Meet Danny Trejo, a Cole Society donor and volunteer from Avondale Estates. He first got involved with United Way when his wife Ana joined the United Way of Greater Atlanta staff!
Even as a co-founder of multiple companies, Danny still finds time to give back to the Latin American community here in Greater Atlanta through our new Wealth Builders United cohort, a financial achievement class for young professionals that currently meets at Los Vecinos de Buford Highway.
How did you first get involved at United Way of Greater Atlanta?
I’m new to United Way! I’d heard of United Way, but I don’t think I really understood what they did until Ana got involved, and I’m amazed. There’s stuff that I’m interested in, you guys are doing in the community, and I can be a part of that.
What aspect of United Way’s work in the community are you most passionate about supporting?
I have always been interested in volunteering to support Latino communities in some way, being Mexican myself. Which is why this particular cohort of Wealth Builders interested me initially… It’s been pretty rewarding! I think I connected so well because for me as a young kid, I’ve seen my parents work extremely hard, and I know that I knew even as a kid that we should be investing our money somehow. I just didn’t know how.
Tell me about what you do in the Wealth Builders program.
We’re giving financial literacy to a lot of people who would be getting that information elsewhere or online, and who knows if it’s correct or not? Here, you have a lot of community members coming together and sharing their experiences and what they know. We have tax representatives in the program, accountants…even if they [the participants] know some of this basic stuff, they are getting a connection with that ally.
What role do you think we all play in shaping a stronger Greater Atlanta?
I hope future generations in Atlanta experience more equitable opportunities to build wealth, regardless of their family’s race or educational background.
Want to join our community of supporters? Find out how you can get involved with United Way of Greater Atlanta through Cole Society, volunteer opportunities