Welcome to our May newsletter, a celebration of the remarkable contributions of members like you. United Way of Greater Houston is honored to lead a community of passionate and driven women. In this newsletter, you’ll find updates on United Way’s work in the community, member spotlights, events and activities, and more opportunities to connect with fellow members.

United Way by the numbers:
Integrated Client Journey (ICJ)

One way that United Way of Greater Houston helps people land on their feet and stay there is through the Integrated Client Journey. This service allows each client to create their own customized pathway to financial stability based on their goals and needs. Programs are orchestrated to make it easy for clients to engage across services as needed, breaking down barriers and helping ensure clients can be successful.

Each client is supported on their journey by a United Way navigator, who walks alongside them and helps them connect to the services they need, from financial stability services to early childhood education and youth development, physical and behavioral health services, basic needs, and more — from across the United Way partner network.

20 - Navigators

96 - Nonprofit partners

13 - Priority regions

1,811 - Service referrals by navigators for clients (to date)

Visit United Way's website to learn more about ICJ and see the impact you are making as a donor.

Meet Women’s Initiative New Members

Horkiz Rouzi (Rouzi)
Founder and President, RHIS Group

Meet Rouzi

Marianne Ibrahim
Chief Compliance Officer, ChampionX

Meet Marianne

Staff Spotlight, Debbie Span-Bailey
Retired Assistant Vice President,
United Way of Greater Houston
Congratulations on 43 years at United Way, Debbie! 
Happy retirement! 
 

Meet Debbie

Chocolate and Wine Reception

Sipping, savoring, and celebrating was had at the Women's Initiative Chocolate and Wine event reception! Hosted at The Texas Wine School, powered by Winfield's Chocolate Bar, it was an evening of exquisite pairings and discussions on fine wines. In honor of National Women's History Month, we celebrated the achievements of female winemakers, sommeliers, and chocolatiers. Members and guests delved into the impactful work of United Way of Greater Houston while forging connections within our dynamic Women's Initiative community. Huge thanks to our sponsors Deloitte and Winfield's Chocolate Bar for making this event a delicious success.

View more photos here 

Rice University Reception

United Way extends a heartfelt thanks to Rice University and Paula DesRoches for graciously hosting our Women's Initiative at the historical Wiess President's House. Special appreciation to Paula and Reggie DesRoches for their exemplary hospitality. The intimate gathering, graced by the esteemed Dr. Ruth Lopez Turley, Director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was an evening of insight, empowerment, and philanthropy. Dr. Turley's presentation highlighted UW's longstanding partnership with Rice and our joint efforts in data gathering for community impact.

View more photos here 

Upcoming Events

Leadership Circle Celebration Dinner
(Leadership Circle WI members)
May 16, 6:00-8:00pm
Brennan's of Houston
RSVP Here

Final Celebration
(All WI members)
May 22, 6:00-8:00pm
Houston Zoo Galapagos Exhibit
RSVP Here

Campaign Close Out

Thanks to the support of our incredible community of donors and leaders, United Way of Greater Houston raised more than $56 million to support and uplift our community.

From the launch of Early REACH and the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance to the fun and thrills of Rappel for a Reason, this campaign year was filled with wonderful memories and meaningful impact as we helped to connect our neighbors to possibility throughout Greater Houston. Whether you donated your time, treasure, or talent, we owe our entire United Way community an immense thank you for all that we have accomplished together. 

United Way is honored to announce Women’s Initiative member Teal Holden, with Memorial Hermann, as our Young Leader of the Year recipient as well as Women’s Initiative member Melissa Young, with Corporate Incentives, as our Volunteer of the Year recipient.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to our Women’s Initiative members who contributed to the community campaign this year. We can’t wait to celebrate with you on May 22nd at the Houston Zoo for our Women’s Initiative Final Celebration.

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. The Women’s Initiative Steering Committee is in the process of inviting all members to the LinkedIn page. If you have not joined yet, please do! 

About the Women's Initiative

The Women’s Initiative brings passionate and influential professionals and community leaders together to support the work of United Way of Greater Houston. This powerful network of women helps our neighbors land on their feet — and stay there.