| A-Mazing News, Events, and Giving! |
May 2022 |
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Once again, the in-home happy hours were a hit! Members gathered in three different Houston-area locations – the Galleria, West University, and The Woodlands to get to know one another in a small group environment. During the happy hours, members had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the group as well as hear updates from Amanda McMillian and Angel Harris. Thank you to all of our members who hosted and attended these events. If you’d like to host a Women’s Initiative happy hour in your home next year, please let us know! |
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On April 1, 2022, what we’ve been calling our Second Century Vision officially became what we do. We are uniting people and partners to ensure our neighbors struggling to make ends meet land on their feet and stay there. We've been dreaming about it and planning for it - alongside so many visionary volunteers, donors, and partners - and we are thrilled to see it come to life. With a strong network of partners, and you by our side, we step forward confident in our client-focused service delivery model, excited about the work ahead, and ready to serve all those seeking a better life. A few things you should know: Services are built around helping people achieve financial stability. Financial stability services are paired with early childhood and youth development, and physical and behavioral health care, all supported by a foundation of basic needs assistance and help escaping violent situations, like domestic violence and human trafficking. The strategy is driven by data. In our community, 14% of families are surviving on incomes below the Federal Poverty Level, and the ALICE Report indicates that another 33% of individuals in Greater Houston are employed, but struggling to afford the necessities. Real-time data from our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE helps us keep a pulse on who needs what services, when and where. We partner with clients to help them map out their journey. Helping people land on their feet—and stay there -- requires a tailored approach and a true partnership. We work with individuals and families to create their own customized plan for programs and services based on their unique goals and needs. Then, rather than working separately to address individual needs, partners coordinate programs to make it easy for clients to engage across services as needed. Clients work hand-in-hand with Navigators. Navigators play a key role in helping individuals and families determine their goals, building an individualized pathway to achieving those goals, making connections to programs and services, and supporting clients as they move through their journey to stability. A technology tool ties it together. We are developing a technology platform that will support navigators as they serve clients, make the client experience more seamless, and provide data to identify service gaps and other needs so we can continuously improve. The approach is regional. Services are offered across 13 priority regions within Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties, ensuring that the full suite of services needed for success is available in each region. Regions have been determined based on the density of the population living below the ALICE threshold and the density of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), who have been historically disproportionately impacted. Diversity and equity are at the forefront. We are focused on work that helps make headway against racism and underrepresentation. Our investments in services and agencies are evaluated on how they serve those in need and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and how they incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into policies, practices, and client service delivery. The investment process was competitive and rigorous. All qualified nonprofits in our area were invited to apply for funding and United Way received more than 400 applications requesting a total of more than $100 million in funding, much more than was available. More than 150 volunteers, plus United Way staff, spent 5,000 hours reviewing applications and making funding recommendations to maximize our reach and impact. Important work continues. United Way of Greater Houston will continue to provide our community's social services safety net, connect people with help and hope 24/7 via our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, play a lead role in recovery from disasters, and lead and convene the nonprofit social services sector to provide services that address the complex challenges holding people back. We are excited to move this work forward and are grateful for your support and continued partnership in creating opportunities for our neighbors and our community to thrive. |
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United Way of Greater Houston sends a massive thank you to the 2021-2022 Women’s Initiative Co-chairs, Tara Nutik and Karen Kershner Slack. Under their leadership, the Women’s Initiative raised $4.7 million with 661 members – so far! Tara and Karen have spent countless hours sharing their time and talent with United Way. From meetings to events to work behind-the-scenes, they have been present and engaged every step of the way. We thank these two leaders for taking on this role and for their incredible support of United Way. Thank you, Tara and Karen! |
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As the Inclusion, Diversity & Corporate Social Responsibility Director for TechnipFMC, Lamonica Spivey puts her passion about providing “fair, equitable opportunities for all” to practice every day. Why do you give to United Way? I have been giving to United Way through volunteerism and/or donations for most of my life. It began in Mobile, AL with my mother and her company’s United Way campaign. She taught me early the importance of helping our communities thrive. You never know when you will need support. What do you enjoy about being a member of the Women's Initiative? I enjoy being a part of a group that focuses on women. As women, we take on a lot personally and professionally and it’s important that we support and uplift each other. Through WI, I’ve met great women and gotten to see the “behind the scenes” of how our United Way works. Favorite book and why? My most recent favorite book is "Becoming" by Michelle Obama. Her personal story as the former First Lady and the many other “firsts” was relatable, authentic, powerful, and inspiring. Best advice from your mother or father? “Education is powerful.” I began reading at age four. Going to the library was a Saturday treat for me. I discovered that getting an education isn’t just about going to school but it’s also about personal experiences and discoveries. Coffee or tea? Tea – hot and cold. Sweet or savory? Savory – there’s nothing like tasting every spice used! |
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WI Member Year-End Campaign Celebration We’ll review the successes of the year, name our newest co-chair, and close the year with a final toast. When: May 26, 2022, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event is generously sponsored by Amegy Bank. Women’s Initiative ADT Personally-Funded Trip Connect with Us Stay current on events and happenings, connect with fellow members, and learn more about the impact we make together in our Women's Initiative Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Access to these sites is limited to members only. To get your first-time entry, email Isha Baker. About the Women's Initiative Women’s Initiative members enjoy engaging networking events, personal and professional development programs, and volunteer opportunities where they learn about community issues and the impact United Way programs make. WI members make personal gifts to United Way of $2,500 or more annually and collectively contributed more than $4.7 million in 2021-2022. |
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