June Newsletter

Belonging Starts with Being Seen

The latest ALICE data is helping North Carolina better understand the realities these families face every day. With 41% of households living below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival, it’s clear that many hardworking families are being left behind. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are working families who earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities.

Recently, United Way of Greater Charlotte’s Jamese Ivy joined Charlotte Talks on WFAE to discuss the latest findings, while President and CEO Kathryn Firmin-Sellers shared insights in the Charlotte Observer, helping elevate the voices and experiences of ALICE families.

Belonging starts with being seen. Through research, advocacy, and thought leadership, United Way of Greater Charlotte is helping ensure ALICE families are recognized, understood, and included in conversations about building stronger communities.

Read more:

• Read the WFAE article and read our blog.
• Read the Charlotte Observer’s coverage of the ALICE findings.

Last month, I had the opportunity to volunteer during our Live United Days event, helping build a bench for a community garden that residents will enjoy for years to come. What stood out most was seeing belonging and inclusion come to life. Longtime community members shared their knowledge, teaching us how to properly assemble the bench, while younger volunteers brought energy and enthusiasm to the project.

It was a powerful reminder that when people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences come together, everyone has something valuable to contribute. It was a powerful reminder that strong communities are built when people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences come together, each contributing in their own way.
At United Way of Greater Charlotte, we see the impact of connection every day. When people feel they belong, communities grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

Bob Young
Board Liaison

Give Today | Get Involved

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Volunteer Testimony
“You Can See the Difference You’re Making”
By Stuart Pallant, United Way of Greater Charlotte Donor and Volunteer

I have had the opportunity to support United Way of Greater Charlotte as both a donor and a volunteer for a few years and the reason I have stayed engaged is just how tangible the impact is.

You really can see the difference you’re making. Whether supporting housing initiatives or working alongside partner organizations, you see firsthand how families take real steps toward stability. A repaired home. A family staying housed. A moment of relief that becomes something more lasting.

Volunteers are on the front lines of that change. That is why I stay involved. Because this work is not abstract. It creates a real and visible impact across our community. I also love the way that the partner organizations work together; they share information and maximize the help that can be given to local families.

Do you or your company want to volunteer with United Way of Greater Charlotte? Click here to find out how or send an email to volunteer@unitedwaygreaterclt.org.

A Partnership Rooted in Trust

“It never felt transactional. It felt relational,” Jamaal said. “Like people walking with a community as it rediscovered its voice and power.” For Jamaal Kinard, Executive Director of Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance, that partnership has been transformative. As Lakeview’s Community Quarterback, the organization works alongside residents to build leadership, strengthen connections, and coordinate resources that help the community thrive.

United Way of Greater Charlotte’s early belief made a critical difference. “When someone invests in you before results are visible, it builds confidence and momentum,” Jamaal shared.

That trust has led to remarkable engagement, with more than 400 households in a community of about 1,300 residents. Nearly one-third of the neighborhood is actively connected, a powerful sign of trust and momentum. Residents feel it too. “For the first time, I feel like my voice matters,” one shared. Another added, “We’re not just neighbors. We’re a community working toward something better.

Together, they have strengthened leadership, expanded programs, and created new opportunities while shaping their own future. Want to be part of the impact? Join a Live United Day or learn more at www.lnacharlotte.org.

Resident Perspectives on Community Well-Being in Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity by Khalil Salim, Director, Research and Evaluation

To better understand what shapes quality of life in Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity, United Way of Greater Charlotte partnered with the City of Charlotte, the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, neighborhood leaders, and residents to conduct the Community Well-Being Study. Supported through City of Charlotte funding, the study gathered insights from hundreds of residents in the Beatties Ford/Rozzelles Ferry and North Graham/North Tryon corridors.

The findings highlight both the strengths and challenges residents experience, offering valuable insights to help build communities where everyone feels connected, included, and able to thrive.

Read the full Community Well-Being Study to explore the findings and recommendations. 

We Want To Hear From You!

As United Way of Greater Charlotte celebrates 95 years of impact, we’re taking time to listen to the community we serve. We invite you to share your honest feedback about our work, community needs, and the future you want to see across our region. Your voice matters and your input will help guide our next steps. Click here to share your voice. The deadline is June 30th.

This fall, United Way of Greater Charlotte will join a nationwide effort celebrating Eli Lilly’s 150th anniversary by helping distribute nutritious food to families across our community.

Access to healthy food is about more than nutrition. It is about ensuring every person feels supported, valued, and connected to the resources they need to thrive. By working alongside local organizations, volunteers, and community members, this initiative will help strengthen community well-being while creating opportunities for neighbors to come together in service of one another.

When everyone has access to the essentials they need, we build healthier, more inclusive communities where everyone can belong.

This initiative will create opportunities for volunteers, partners, and community members to come together in service. Stay tuned for ways you can help ensure every family has access to nutritious food and the support they need to thrive.

During Women’s History Month, women from across Greater Charlotte came together for a powerful Women United panel discussion centered on leadership, purpose, and creating change in our community. What started as a conversation quickly became something more: new connections, shared inspiration, and a growing excitement about what’s possible when women come together.

As one attendee shared:

“That we’re all in very similar boats. Something about that felt incredibly refreshing. I appreciated the vulnerability.”

Another participant reflected on the power of community, saying:

“Giving grace and being a part of community helps us bear the burden of life transitions.”

Those sentiments echoed throughout the room as women connected over shared experiences, challenges, and aspirations. The discussion served as a reminder that resilience is not about doing it all alone. It is built through authentic relationships, mutual support, and a community where everyone feels they belong.

Now, that momentum is becoming a movement.

Women United of Greater Charlotte is relaunching, bringing together women who want to lead, serve, connect, and create lasting impact. Through meaningful relationships, volunteer opportunities, leadership development, and collective giving, Women United is building a community where every woman can belong and make a difference.

Join us on July 23 and be part of the next chapter.

Women United Kick-Off Celebration & Reception
July 23, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.
United Way of Greater Charlotte

RSVP: unitedwaygreaterclt.org/wu2026

Every day, families across Greater Charlotte face challenges accessing childcare, transportation, basic needs, and jobs that pay a living wage. Your gift helps United Way of Greater Charlotte invest in solutions that create lasting change and build a community where everyone can belong and thrive.

There’s still time to make an impact before June 30. Make Your Gift.

Become an Event Sponsor

Make your impact go even further by sponsoring an upcoming United Way of Greater Charlotte event. Your sponsorship supports our mission while demonstrating your commitment to building a stronger, more connected community.

Explore Sponsorship Opportunities.

Whether you’re volunteering, advocating, giving, or simply showing up for your neighbors, you have a role in building a stronger, more connected Greater Charlotte. Together, we’re creating communities where everyone can belong and thrive.

Union County Day of Caring | August 29 (Register)
One day. Real impact. Volunteers across Union County will come together to support local nonprofits and strengthen the community through meaningful service.