COMMUNITY Fall Newsletter 2021
United Way of Roanoke Valley
UWRV SPEAKS OUT ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION From the beginning, United Way has known that community engagement that is representative and inclusive of all residents is vital in ensuring that our work to solve the region’s toughest problems is focused on shared community priorities. Although our mission has often addressed inequity head-on by focusing resources on historically marginalized populations, we must do more to create truly equitable communities. If we are to assist those in need, we must explicitly focus on removing barriers for the people most harmed by them. This includes addressing existing policies, practices, and belief systems that serve to privilege some and disenfranchise others. Only then can we create the conditions that allow everyone the opportunity to thrive. To deliver on our mission, we must intentionally advance equity both inside our own organization as well as out in the community. Our drive for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is essential to effectively fight for the health, education and economic stability of all. It begins in environments where all people feel supported, listened to, and empowered. The pandemic has exposed blatant systemic racial and ethnic disparities all over the country and right here at home. It plainly shows the critical need for equity to remain central in our focus. This past year, as we develop our strategic plan, our office began working intentionally towards this direction by: • Bolstering recruitment efforts to increase Board and staff diversity • Incorporating DEI expectations for organizations receiving UW grant funding; and in staff hiring and performance evaluations • Assisting community outreach and vaccine registration efforts to specifically reach under-represented populations • Partnering with smaller nonprofits to administer targeted youth mentoring programs; and serving as the backbone to launch the Black Father Family initiative • Increasing our presence at community events to reach a more diverse audience United Way of Roanoke Valley commits to standing up as leaders in the collective mission of eradicating oppression and creating an equitable Roanoke Valley region for all. I hope you will join us.
Abby V. Hamilton President & CEO, United Way of Roanoke Valley
CELEBRATING CAMPAIGN 2020 AND KICKING OFF 2021! We certainly don’t need to list the challenges of 2020, they were felt by all. That’s why United Way workplace campaigns last year deserve special recognition. Even while dealing with their own internal obstacles, and the struggles of every employee in the workplace, the following companies jumped in to create positive change in our community. Thanks to your dedication, the 2020 campaign generated more than $2 million for our region. In addition, UWRV was able to leverage these resources to secure an additional $3.4 million in grant revenue to support our collaborative work.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Advance Auto Parts AECOM Allstate Insurance Co - Roanoke (CAFA) Altec Industries, Inc. American National Bank Anderson & Reed, LLP Anthem (Wellpoint) Appalachian Power Aqua America Associated Asphalt, LLC AT&T Atlantic Union Bank Benefit Plan Administrators Berglund Farrell Automotive Group Best Buy Black & Veatch Botetourt County Schools Boxley Brown Edwards & Company, L.L.P. Burns & McDonnell Carilion Clinic Carter Bank & Trust Caterpillar Chandler Concrete of VA Child Health Investment Partnership of Roanoke Valley Citi Financial City of Roanoke City of Salem Cleveland Clinic Commonwealth Catholic Charities/St. Francis House Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Corvesta Family of Companies Davenport & Company LLC Davidsons Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc. Eaton, Crouse-Hinds Division Eli Lilly Entré Computer Center Erie Insurance Group Family Service of Roanoke Valley FedEx Firefli
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
First Citizens Bank Freedom First Gentry Locke Attorneys Glenn Robinson Cathey Memmer & Skaff PLC Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Inc. Grand Home Furnishings, Inc. Hanover Insurance Group Hershey Foods Corporation Hollins University HomeTrust Bank IBM Corporation Intact Specialty Solutions Integrated Textile Solutions, Inc. jcpenney Johnson, Ayers & Matthews Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund KelTech, Inc. KPMG LLP Kroger Mid-Atlantic L3 Harris Laboratory Corporation of America Lanford Brothers Company, Inc. LewisGale Regional Health System Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Lichtenstein Law Group PLC Macy’s Magellan Midstream Partners Marsh & McLennan Agency Mast General Store Medical Facilities of America Mel Wheeler, Inc. Mohawk Industries, Inc. Morgan Stanley Morrisette Paper Company Nationwide New Horizons Healthcare New Millennium Building Systems Norfolk Southern Corporation Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. O’Reilly Auto Parts P1 Technologies Pacific Life
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
PetSmart Piedmont Foundry Supply, Inc. Pinnacle Financial Partners Prosperity Life Readerlink RGC Resources, Inc. Roanoke City Public Schools Roanoke College Roanoke County Roanoke County Public Schools Roanoke Higher Education Center Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Roanoke Valley - Alleghany Regional Commission Rockwell Automation Rockydale Quarries Corporation Salem City Schools SFCS Sir Speedy Southern Team Automall Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division Target The Roanoke Times The Taubman Museum of Art TMEIC Total Action for Progress Town of Vinton Trane Truist (Formerly SunTrust and BB&T) U.S. Bank United Bank United Way of Roanoke Valley UnitedHealth Group UPS Virginia Transformer Corp. Vistar Eye Center Wabtec (Graham White Manufacturing Co.) Wal-Mart Supercenter Wells Fargo Western Virginia Water Authority Woods Rogers Yokohama Tire Manufacturing - VA, LLC
2020 UWRV CELEBRATION AWARD WINNERS EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN MANAGER MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY SHINING STAR AWARD CARILION CLINIC
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD BETTY ROBERTSON | CARILION CLINIC DESHEA WITCHER | ROAVA DIGITAL MARKETING ECM HALL OF FAME CHUCK LIONBERGER | ROANOKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
IMPACT AWARD ALTEC INDUSTRIES COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD MAST GENERAL STORE FREEDOM FIRST CREDIT UNION WESTERN VIRGINIA WATER AUTHORITY
LEAD UNITED BILL & DIANE ELLIOT SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD BOXLEY MATERIALS COMPANY
United Way is an incredible partner in our community, addressing some of the difficult challenges in a way that brings different business partners and groups together to solve problems in our community as quickly as possible. Dave Prosser, SVP Community Development, Freedom First Credit Union
This event really drove home how much United Way positively affects where we live. If we did not have United Way, what a different and sad place it would be. Everything that we can do to help United Way helps our community and everyone in it. Diane Elliot, Owner, Local Roots
IMMEDIATE TAX ADVANTAGES FOR DONORS A financial incentive encourages Americans to give generously to qualifying charities, including United Way of Roanoke Valley. The new universal tax break for charitable donations grants taxpayers an above-the-line deduction of up to $300 in charitable donations given in 2021. Married couples who file joint returns can deduct charitable gifts of up to $600! If you have questions about your donation and any tax issues, contact Terry Bridges, Vice President of Operations and Finance at terry@uwrv.org, or 540-777-4213.
BLACK FATHER FAMILY: CELEBRATING THRIVING FAMILIES United Way of Roanoke Valley is excited to announce a new partnership, the Black Father Family Initiative, investing in the overall well-being of children and families. Black males and parents of color face racial and ethnic disparities that complicate the journey of parenting. These disparities are found in incarceration rates, educational outcomes, and opportunities for increased economic empowerment, just to name a few. Simultaneous to this struggle, the Black father often finds himself combating a false narrative of emotional and physical absenteeism, a stereotype Black Father Family Founder and Senior Advisor Ryan Bell works relentlessly to dismantle. “We are in a position to create generational change for families,” said Bell. “We are empowering the narrative that Black men are fathers through intentional programming, policy change, and increased education designed to shift the overall well-being of the children.” Black Father Family is positioned to become an important resource of support for parents and caregivers, with a specific focus on fathers. Bell, who also serves as Care Resource Coordinator at United Way of Roanoke Valley, is now developing a series of workshops, conferences, events and programming for parents and caregivers. For more information, contact Ryan Bell at ryan@uwrv.org or (540) 588-5277.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS: BRIDGING THE GAP IN HEALTH DISPARITIES
VITAL CONDITIONS FOR HEALTH & WELL-BEING Socioeconomic Factors
40% 10% 30%
Education
Income
Community Safety
Physical Environment Health Behaviors
Tobacco Use
20 %
Job Status Family/Social Support
Diet & Exercise
50% can be traced back to your zip code!
Housing & Neighborhoods
Alcohol Use
Health Care Access to Care Quality of Care
Sexual Activity
Only 20%include those moments in a healthcare environment
A family ravaged by multiple fatalities caused by COVID-19. A young mother facing eviction from her apartment. A widow suffering isolation, loneliness and depression. These are our neighbors’ stories that Community Health Workers across the region confront each day. United Way of Roanoke Valley, working with the Virginia Department of Health/Franklin County, has received a federal grant to create three new Community Health Worker positions in the West Piedmont Health District. These boots-on-the-ground Community Health Workers (CHWs) connect health and social services to the people who need them, assist with COVID-19 vaccination outreach and education efforts, and help people suffering due to the pandemic. CHWs are able to help people achieve the Vital Conditions for Health & Well-Being, such as safe housing, reliable transportation, and access to fresh, healthy food. In our region, CHWs have achieved positive, measurable results in terms of improving health outcomes, all while reducing healthcare costs. “We’ve spent years building relationships in the non-profit community, and I’m eager to create connections, meeting people right where they are and working with those in poverty or those who do not qualify for services, so that they can better understand available resources,” said Pamela Chitwood, a long-time UWRV staff member who is transitioning to become a direct service Community Health Worker based in Franklin County. “Being stuck in poverty is most often about missing a needed resource or connection to education.” More than a dozen additional Community Health Workers will be hired through a grant from the Virginia Workforce Development Board in partnership with Carilion Clinic and the Roanoke City Alleghany Health District.
Pamela Chitwood/United Way of Roanoke Valley
These new teams of CHWs around the region will soon begin working together regionally using the UNITE US technology platform, a network of coordinated care that allows providers to efficiently collaborate as they provide people with ongoing support and track community health outcomes.
HELPING CHILDREN THRIVE IN FAMILY DAY HOMES In our region, and even nationwide, family day homes are the most commonly-used forms of childcare, especially for younger children. Parents often prefer them for their intimate, homey settings, flexible hours, and consistency within their small group environment. From her Franklin County residence, Sonnia Jones has been a family day home provider for more than 30 years, striving to provide top-quality early education to little ones. Her efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed, even at the state level. Her childcare program, “Sonnia’s Little Angels” is the first family day home in Virginia to achieve a prestigious level 5 rating from Virginia Quality, the state’s quality rating and improvement system for childcare and early learning programs.
Sonnia Jones (center) is surrounded by staff at Sonnia’s Little Angels
UWRV’s early education coaches continue cheering for Jones, as well as other providers who work full-time nurturing generations of children, at the same time they’re continuing their own education. Antoinette Harbor has been caring for children in her Northwest Roanoke home since 1977, helping more than 100 families over the years. She’s now credentialed as a Child Development Associate (CDA) through the Council for Professional Recognition. “Miss Ann, as we like to call her, loves guiding children, and she’s always there to help families get through hard times,” said Jessica Bookout, an Early Education Specialist at United Way of Roanoke Valley. “She’s been known to use her own money to buy toys, shoes, coats, pajamas, and other necessities for the children in her care.” Thank you Sonnia Jones and Antoinette Harbor for all you do for area families, and for setting the early-education bar so high! Antoinette Harbor with her CDA certificate.
FY 2021 COMMUNITY IMPACT Early Learners
Successful Youth
Healthy Adults
1500+ Children
8000+ Children
$650,000+ Invested
accessed childcare through Smart2Start.
benefitted from educational programs to lay the groundwork for lifelong success.
in access to healthcare.
618 Children
580 Youth
$241,000+ Saved
served by the Early Learning Collaborative.
connected with adult mentors.
on prescription medications.
207 Early Ed Programs
100% of Students
740 Volunteers
improved or maintained their quality measures.
participating in SYOS earned a high school degree or GED.
changing lives and transforming the Roanoke Valley region.
2160 Teachers participated in 376 hours of training in 2020-2021.
To learn more about the impact of your United Way support, please visit our website at uwrv.org.
THE PANDEMIC DIVIDE
Before COVID-19 hit, 51 million U.S. households already couldn’t afford the basics. These struggling families fall below the ALICE Threshold. This includes those in poverty and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), earning above the poverty level, but less than what it takes to survive. These households fared far worse during the pandemic than higher-income households. Learn more in The Pandemic Divide at UnitedForALICE.org.
BELOW ALICE THRESHOLD
42
%
17 % 60 %
ABOVE ALICE THRESHOLD Struggling to Get By Quit a Job Due to Child Care
Lost Income
9
%
3 % 40 %
68
%
No Rainy Day Funds
29
%
44
%
Elevated Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
35
%
Source: United For ALICE. (2021, October). The Pandemic Divide: An ALICE Analysis of National COVID Surveys. Retrieved from https://www.UnitedForALICE.org/National-Reports.
October 2021
ALICE AWARENESS WEEK 15-19 NOV
ALICE is an acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living. ALICE individuals and families struggle to afford basic necessities including housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. The ALICE Threshold is calculated using actual costs of essential goods and services—including housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and basic technology—in every locality in our region, and is adjusted depending on the size of the household and number of dependents. The reality of the ALICE data is presented in our community each and every day… as these households are just one small financial emergency away from poverty.
When you’re at rock bottom, it’s easy to think you have to do it alone. But then having complete strangers just come walk with you, right by your side, and help you build the steps you need to keep on going, it’s absolutely amazing. Lyndsey Mills
$67,836
It takes a year for a Roanoke family of four to afford BASIC NEEDS. To learn more, visit: uwrv.org/meet-alice
Together we give.
PARTNER FUN-RAISING SPOTLIGHT Western Virginia Water Authority this year expanded their annual golf tournament and in doing so added both participants, sponsors and volunteers for another successful event! Another UWRV workplace partner, Eaton, joined as a sponsor and team, for a beautiful day that brought in over $6,000 to benefit the community.
Nov 30,2021 United Way of Roanoke Valley
STAY UPDATED
A LIFE OF LEGACY
Keep up with the latest news from United Way of Roanoke Valley and the community.
Check out our new website at uwrv.org.
From there, sign up to receive our e-newsletters. Follow us on social media: @uwrvALICE
If you’d like to see a workplace campaign begin at your organization, or are looking for suggestions on how to increase your engagement and goals, or sponsor year-round engagement opportunities and events, contact Alisha Childress, Vice President of Resource Development, at alisha@uwrv.org, or 777-4214.
United Way of Roanoke Valley
@unitedwayroanokevalley
Mrs. Louise Lester passed away in 2017 at the age of 96, but her leadership in our community continues to this day. Thank you to the Louise R. Lester Foundation for gifting UWRV with $30,000 to make positive change in the lives of families all over the Roanoke Valley!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LIVING UNITED! United Way of Roanoke Valley 325 Campbell Avenue, S.W. Roanoke, VA 24016 540.777.4200
RAISED HERE. | STAYS HERE. | SHARED HERE.
$5.14 MILLION
19,678
revenue generated during fiscal year 2020
people received food assistance
4,493 children connected to quality early education and after-school programs in the Roanoke Valley region