UWGK 2022 Main Tabloid

4 | UNITED WAY OF GREATER KINGSPORT | 2022

FINANCIALSTABILITY

We fight for stability in the lives of our neighbors. We fight for individuals experiencing homelessness, those without financial resources, those who have no one else to care.

Our member agency, Hope House of Kingsport, has been fighting on behalf of homeless pregnant women and girls and their children for 20 years now. This organization has helped hundreds of people through the years. Terri McKnight was one who came to Hope House 14 years ago as a homeless woman with no food, no clothes and no money. She was 19 weeks pregnant.

After her son was born, Terri moved into an apartment, but then reconnected with her son’s biological father. The relationship was toxic and destructive, so once again she went to Hope House for help.

625 individuals

experiencing homelessness were sheltered.

43 individuals

achieved permanent housing.

“They helped me get on my feet a second time,” Terri said. “I honestly would have probably died of a drug overdose, committed suicide or been in prison if I didn’t have someone who believed in me.”

And the United Way and Hope House believed in her. She is now married and has two children.

United Way donor Laurie Paulonis said her first involvement with United Way was to serve on its Citizens Review Panel, where she saw first-hand how donations are spent to serve the community.

“You know that your money is going to a great cause,” Paulonis said. “It’s very important for everyone to be involved with United Way.”