Although United Way’s in person campaign kickoff event was cancelled this year, the organization is still setting an ambitious goal and asking for the community’s support. Last year, United Way of the CSRA raised $2,190,000 to help support 40 programs at 27 different non-profits in our region. This year, United Way is setting a goal to raise $2,300,000 to help meet the continued evolving needs in our community. 

In 2020, United Way of the CSRA impacted the lives of more than 265,000 local lives through investments in targeted programs and community partnerships in the following focus areas which align with their Leading Families Forward initiative: Childhood Success, Youth Success, Workforce Development, and Access to Resources. Leading Families Forward is a community-wide initiative that was launched two years ago that ensures investments are made to specific focus areas in the community meeting the largest needs. 

President and CEO, Brittany Burnett, stated “Our community needs United Way, our strong partnerships, and ability to mobilize resources to help solve complex problems in the CSRA. But United Way also needs our community’s support in order to make lasting change on the issues that matter most in our region. We want to ensure that children, young adults, and families have the tools and resources they need to achieve their maximum potential.  Your support, your gift, to United Way will enable us to Lead Families Forward, not only for today, but for next week, next year, and the next generation.”

United Way of the CSRA Board Chair, Jordan Pierce, also noted that “the past 18 months have been a challenge to many residents in our community. United Way is here to help address both the short and long terms needs of our residents, but we can’t do that without the support of our fellow colleagues, friends, and neighbors. Your time is valuable, your contributions ever so important, and your commitment is crucial in this effort. Join us in this year by investing in United Way.”

Over the past 18 months, several new programs have been initiated by United Way of the CSRA which have helped thousands of residents throughout the CSRA: 

• Ride United--a Transportation Access Program that continues to address transportation gaps for residents by providing free short-term and reliable rides to work, school, medical appointments, community resource sites, and more through a partnership with Lyft. 

• Sigh of Relief--an Emergency Rent and Utilities Assistance Program that helps Richmond County residents facing eviction remain safely in their homes. The program is administered through United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline and is funded by the US Department of Treasury and in partnership with Augusta-Richmond County. 

• Over 400,000 items of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been distributed throughout our region to non-profits and frontline workers thanks to a partnership with Bank of America and others. 

• Over $1.9 million was raised and distributed to over 60 local organizations through the CSRA COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for the CSRA, impacting more than 121,000 households. 

With strong community support, United Way continues to tackle our region’s most complex social needs, supporting 40 programs across 27 local nonprofits who help provide critical tools and resources to those who need it most. To give, visit www.uwcsra.org or text UWCSRA to 40403. You can also participate in your company’s workplace giving campaign.