Category Archives: Get Help

So you’re an insurance company, right?

Posted on by Jennifer Bosk

Jenny Royer is a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill.  She is working as a campaign associate for United Way of the Greater Triangle.  She wrote this about her experience in her new job.

As a recent college graduate, any social gathering usually yields the same question, “So, what are you doing now??” I used to dread that inevitable question when my only answer was, “Watching The Bachelorette reruns online and applying to any job opening I can get my hands on.” But now I happily reply, “I am working for United Way.”  I stand hopeful they will ask a follow-up question, eagerly waiting to practice my United Way elevator speech.

However, one person’s reply to my current place of employment caught me a bit off guard. She countered, “United Way…that’s insurance right?” I laughed a bit before I could even get an answer out of me. Surely she didn’t really think that, right? Where would she have even generated that idea?

But as I thought about her statement, I began to think…“well, maybe she’s not that far off.” While United Way could never technically be categorized as an insurance company, it certainly shares some similarities with that industry.

in·sur·ance: financial protection against loss or harm: an arrangement by which a company gives customers financial protection against loss or harm such as theft or illness in return for payment premium[1]

United Way of the Greater Triangle funds 147 programs from 77 local partner agencies, to create a safety net for our community. It’s a unique collaboration that is only possible when a caring community puts its resources together for the protection and well-being of its neighbors. While many think of poverty as the lack of money, in reality it is the lack of resources, such as education, technology, health, safety, relational support and other tools needed to become financial stable. The programs you support through your United Way donations provide valuable resources that allow an individual in need to stretch the financial resources she or he has.

The face of poverty is changing. It is no longer the homeless man begging on the street corner. The face of poverty is the face of people just like you and me—the people we work and go to church with, the classmates of our children, the people who thought they had it all. The recession in 2008 resulted in a 25% increase in poverty and we are now at the highest level of poverty in the US since 1964.

While it may seem that the time, talent, and financial resources you give to United Way will never affect you personally, you can rest assured that your contribution directly affects the health of our community as a whole, if not someone you know personally. That’s why we believe this is the best investment you can make.

As many insurance companies suggest with their advertising, life does come at you fast and you never know what circumstances could change your life forever. That’s why it is important that we protect our community by investing in programs that have proven to be strong, productive and effective in changing and improving lives in the Triangle. You can rest easy, Triangle, knowing your donations are in good hands. We are your good neighbor, but we can’t do it alone. We work with hundreds of community volunteers who are dedicated to seeing the lives of our neighbors in need, not only improve, but flourish. That way you know we are able to provide results you can trust and count on.

So maybe I should go back and thank that girl who had mistaken United Way as an insurance company, because I think she has opened my eyes to something very significant about the services United Way provides. With life being as delicate as it is, we are in great need of a safety net formed by the caring community we find ourselves in. Why wouldn’t we invest in a resource that can protect and support the people we love when life doesn’t happen the way we think it should? Perhaps it is scary for some to consider giving up some of their paycheck or time each month. However, if you ask me, the alternative, there being no safety net at all, is far more frightening.


[1] Definition from Bing Dictionary




A little bit of love, can go along way…Even all the way to Haiti

Posted on by Reah Nicholson

Britany Smith has been participating in mission trips for years, having traveled all over the globe from Africa to the Caribbean and beyond. It was her recent visit to Haiti that made her wake up and realize the life she wanted to live. For someone who has been involved in missions and has lived a life of serving others, it was only a matter of time before she would realize her true calling.

Today, Britany stands about five weeks away from stepping out of her comfort zone and stepping out on faith. In about five weeks, Britany will be packing up her home in Durham, saying goodbye to her life as a nurse at Duke University Hospital, bidding farewell to her Triangle friends and moving to Haiti, where she will serve as a registered nurse (RN) at God’s Littlest Angels, an orphanage located in the Kenscoff Mountains.

To me, Britany is the epitome of what love, faith and hope look like. She is an example of what can happen when you have faith and go after it. Because of her passion for serving others and making a difference, she realized her calling.

The same thing could happen to you, as a volunteer. Britany started out as a volunteer, just helping to make a difference in her Pennsylvania community. When she moved to Durham, North Carolina, she took that same passion and drive and volunteered in the Triangle, making a difference in our community. She has left a footprint in the hearts of many lives in the Triangle, and she is proof of what volunteering and helping others can do. Volunteering might just change your life.

I’m not asking you to pack up and move to Haiti. I’m not asking you to change your lifestyle. I’m not asking you to give money. All I’m asking is that you step out of your comfort zone. Think about the skills you possess. Think about your passions and interests. And, count your blessings. All I’m asking is that you give your time. You might just change someone’s life. Who knows? They might just change yours.

Britany is a good friend of mine, and I am going to miss her. But, one thing I can say is that she has changed my life and my perspective on the world. She has even encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and take a missions trip. I will be volunteering my time and heading to Bohoc, Haiti in April of 2013. Thanks to Britany for changing my life.

You may not be able to help internationally, but it is easy to help your neighbor and your local community. If you are looking for a way to get involved, United Way of the Greater Triangle has a great volunteer website, where non-profits from all over the Triangle post their volunteer opportunities, needs and events. I guarantee you will find a way to make a difference.  Visit our Get Connected page and start making a difference in the lives of those around you. If you wish to follow Britany on her journey, she will be documenting her life as a Haitian on her blog at Love. Serve. Inspire.




International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Posted on by Jennifer Bosk

Today is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  World leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000 committed to cutting the number of people living in extreme poverty (living on less than $1.00/day) in half by 2015.

What are you going to do today to help eradicate poverty….poverty that exists right here in the Triangle?

Let me know and I’ll send you one of our United Way “Make Poverty History…Live United” bracelets.

Thank you!




Why Am I Doing Campaign Associate Work?

Posted on by Jennifer Bosk

Elizabeth Ruf is a new college graduate from UNC-Asheville who is working as a Campaign Associate for United Way of the Greater Triangle.  She shares her thoughts on her experience to date.

I grew up in the triangle: attended elementary, middle, and high school right here in Raleigh. At the University of North Carolina at Asheville (Go Bulldogs!) I earned a degree in political science, as well as one in interdisciplinary studies (focusing on ethics).  Now I’m willing to bet most people think those two things do not go together, at least not in practice, but I do.  I believe that by using a lens of ethics to look at political science and the institutions surrounding it, I can help make a difference and maybe even change the world for the better.  Being a recent graduate I often get the probing, “what do you want to do with the rest of your life” question, and well, my answer to that is quite complex.  My simplistic, go-to response is composed of two words: help people.  I’m not sure how that will play out in the future: if I’ll get into politics; delve into policy-making; adventure into non-profits; or become a teacher and inspire future generations; but I do know that I will make a difference.

This determination to bring about change is exactly what drew me to this organization, and why I am doing Campaign Associate work here with the United Way of the Greater Triangle.  I want to help people. I want to make a difference.  I want to know that my work is directly affecting someone, somewhere.  My particular role as a CA (Campaign Associate) is interesting because while most of my colleagues are working with big name corporations in the triangle area (John Deere, The News & Observer, First Citizens Bank, just to name a few) I get to help our partner agencies in Wake County run their employee campaigns.  Seeing firsthand what these amazing non-profits are doing for the greater Triangle area is truly inspiring. I have left countless agencies feeling absolutely overcome by the amount of love and dedication these people have not only for the community, but for those they are helping.  There have been numerous times while driving away from partner agencies I found myself in tears, not from sadness, but from pure joy of knowing that people who would otherwise be left out to dry (so to speak) are getting life changing and often necessary help to overcome the obstacles they face.

Although I do not have my hands directly in the action, I still have an impact on this community which is so near and dear to my heart.  Here at United Way of the Greater Triangle, we just completed our own employee giving campaign, and I chose to give.  I might as well put my money where my mouth is, right?  Right. And I did.  Knowing my donation is going not only to our partner agencies, but to specific programs directly affecting those in our community, my community, my home, lets me know I have made a difference and I will accomplish at least a small portion of my complex life goal.

I will carry this experience with me, and use it as my catalyst for making a difference and even changing the world one day.  After all, I think Margaret Mead had it right when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

 




What about personal responsibility?

Posted on by Stan Holt

Last weekend I had a great priviledge of doing a two hour training on poverty for Raleigh’s Support Circles. Support Circles is a program of Catholic Charities. It matches up small groups of congregational volunteers with homeless households to provide them social support as these households move to self-sufficiency. I spend some time defining poverty, sharing some of the most recent data and talking about how poverty impacts health and education. As part of the discussion, one of the support circle volunteers asked me, “You haven’t talked about personal responsibility? Don’t you believe that people have personal responsbility to improve their situation?” Of course, this comment comes during the week following Mitt Romney’s comments regarding the 47% who believe they are entitled to public support and do not take personal responsibility to care for their lives. So perhaps talking about personal responsibility and poverty is a timely thing to talk about.

I just saw this article written by a woman who was on welfare and shook my head. I remember many variations of this story when I was working as Genesis Home’s Executive Director. It was true, the majority of families who found themselves homeless and living in this transitional housing program were in a temporary situation. However, they needed some government assistance to move out of their current situation, a homeless shelter, and needed to continue that assistance until they were stable.

So as I thought about the volunteer’s question on Saturday, I asked the question: What in your life have you been able to control, and what in your life have you not been able to control? In my own life, there were things I could control and things I couldn’t control. When I can’t control something, I don’t feel like I can take responsibility. Suppose I have a job, and I am laid off because the plant is moving overseas. Am I responsible? No. Am I going to need assistance to make ends meet? If I haven’t managed to save up enough, I might need unemployment assistance. Do I have control over getting a new job? Well, not really, that is dependent upon an employer’s decision, not mine. I do have control over completing applications, preparing for interviews, and ensuring I make a good impression, but even a good impression is someone else’s judgement of me. However, what if jobs are scarce in my community? Do I settle for a part-time position, with no benefits? Perhaps. After all that is in my control and having some income is helpful. What happens though, if in the cycle of applying for jobs and getting rejected, I feel discouraged? Hmm. It begins to feel as if I have no control, frustration rises, and I’m hooked into a cycle of feeling like the system is against me. Guess what, it is going to be hard for me to take responsibility; particularly if it feels like things are spiraling out of my control.

The good thing is that I have a support system that would help me think about what I can and can’t control. Some individuals and families may not have that support. I’m glad the Support Circle volunteers are asking these tough questions and talking about what they can do to help. Sometimes personal responsibility can seem elusive, but when we help others discern what they can and can’t control, and help them understand the small steps to take, confidence will lead to greater personal responsibility and that is another step in the process toward self sufficiency.

 

Image from caregiverland.com