Financial Literacy: What About The Schools?

As some of you might know, we have created a matched savings program for young people who are aging out of the foster care system. Two years were spent planning and developing the program. We’ve been talking with people in the community about the program and about the need for opportunities for these young people to not only earn money, but to learn how to manage their money. Financial literacy develops the knowledge and skills needed to make deliberate and effective financial decisions. According to the Jump$tart Coalition’s 2008 study of high school seniors and college students, financial literacy for high schoolers has fallen to its lowest levels.

When volunteers and experts from the community began planning the program, there was a question about working in the public schools in the Triangle. At the time, it seemed like too big a target to create an impact. We wanted to start with a smaller population and have some success before we took whatever program we created to a larger scale. Eventually, we agreed that working with young people aging out of foster care is a finite number of at-risk youth that we can help and we can evaluate the program effectiveness quickly.   Continue reading




Not Without My Dog…

Think about losing your job and having your lights turned off.  Now think about being locked out of your home by the mortgage company.  Then the repo guy comes for your car.  No cell phone.  No computer. Not even a change of clothes.  You sit on a street until you are run out of the neighborhood because now you’re a vagrant – no longer wanted. 

You walk and walk until dark falls.  You hover under a bridge for shelter from the rain and find a beat up cardboard box you crawl into for the night.  Everything is gone. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.  Days turn into weeks.  You beg on the corner for loose change while people drive by yelling, “Get a job!”  You have nothing.

Then one day she comes loping down the street.  She’s dirty, thirsty, and has a wary look in her eye.  She draws near and you offer this four-legged visitor some water, keeping your distance.  She laps the water quickly, looks up and for the briefest of moments, she wags her tail.  You extend your hand.  She slowly crawls to you.  And now you have someone else to focus on.  Someone who is as beat up as  you.  Someone homeless like you.  Someone without anything in the world – except now she has you and you have her.

You bond.  She follows you.  You share your food from the dumpster.  She sleeps next to you at night, keeping you warm.  Where you go, she patiently follows.  You talk to her, tell her it will get better…someday. She becomes your world.

Then someday it does get better.  You hear about an open shelter.  You head that way hoping to be first in line. You reach the building and there, in bold letters, is a sign that says, “No Pets”.  You look at your companion. You turn and walk away to find a new bridge and a new box. Continue reading

Jennifer R. Bosk is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at United Way of the Greater Triangle. Jennifer believes people read her blog posts because she is a pop culture diva, a survivor and thriver of single Mother/Grandmother-hood and the biggest cheerleader for education as a solution to most problems. These areas/topics of passion allow Jennifer to share her thoughts from her heart.




Top 10 Things to Know About 2-1-1

 1)      Do you know about 2-1-1? United Way’s 2-1-1 is a single source for information about community services and for referrals to health and human service programs.

 2)      Call us – anytime!  Staff is standing by in our call center 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We’re ready to guide you to the help you need.

3)      Chances are you know someone who called 2-1-1 last year.  Statewide there were 58,965 calls and 14,310 of those came from right here in the Triangle.

4)      There’s an app for that!  Yes the 2-1-1 app for iphones is available at http://itunes.apple.com/app/united-ways-2-1-1-north-carolina/id465332122?mt=8 .

5)      You can call 2-1-1 from your landline or your cell phone! 

6)      If you ever have trouble getting through when dialing 2-1-1, you can dial the toll free number: 1-888-892-1162.

7)      Speak another language?  Bilingual caseworkers are on hand to take your call.

8)      Want to know what’s available from 2-1-1 online?  Check it out at NC211.org!

 9)      Whether you just need help once or you seek continuing assistance, you’ll find exactly what you need by calling        2-1-1.

10)   If you’ve donated to United Way of the Greater Triangle then you’ve helped keep 2-1-1 up and running to serve the needs of those who are your neighbors, coworkers, church friends and business acquaintances. 

And for that we say THANK YOU!!!!

Jennifer R. Bosk is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at United Way of the Greater Triangle. Jennifer believes people read her blog posts because she is a pop culture diva, a survivor and thriver of single Mother/Grandmother-hood and the biggest cheerleader for education as a solution to most problems. These areas/topics of passion allow Jennifer to share her thoughts from her heart.




Happy 75th Birthday:Gifts From The Party

Photo from memorable-events.com

Yesterday there was a 75th birthday to celebrate. I had the opportunity to go to Triangle Family Service’s Money on the Move event. It was chalk full of information sessions and guest speakers that focused on some of Triangle Family Services core financial services. Learning about credit scores, how young people spend their money, strategies for saving and buying your first home were just a few of the topics covered in the breakout sessions. They had two guest speakers; NC State Treasurer, Janet Cowell, and noted architect and author Sarah Susanka. It was Triangle Family Service’s way of celebrating their 75th birthday. Continue reading




United Way Partner Agencies: There’s an App for That!

Creative Commons License photo credit: Scott Salter

United Way Partners are a swipe away.

United Way makes it easy to give help and get help via web and phone, but now, thanks to the apps of United Way 211 and seven United Way partners, help is only a swipe away. Continue reading