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For United Way of the Midlands, everything comes back to community—from fundraising to donations to trailblazing initiatives. As a locally based non-profit that works hand-in-hand with key community organizations, United Way of the Midlands possesses a unique birds-eye view to the needs of the area. Through the collective effort of their employees, volunteers, partners, and donors, they are creating a true impact on the education, housing, and physical and mental health of our community.
Campaign for Good
In 2020, MacKenzie Scott donated $10 million to United Way of the Midlands—empowering them to envision an even brighter future for our region. To maximize the impact of this incredible gift, United Way launched a new fundraising initiative called Campaign for Good. They seek to raise another $10 million and direct the funds toward increasing literacy, economic opportunity, affordable housing, and other resources for the community. Help United Way meet their goal, amplifying the real-world reach of their organization!
Strategic Impact Plan
MacKenzie Scott’s gift, combined with Campaign for Good donations, will fund United Way’s Strategic Impact Plan for the Midlands. This plan aims to bring true and positive change to the region through multiple boots-on-the-ground initiatives directed toward six key facets: building STEM education and literacy resources; developing the next generation of our area’s workforce; improving economic security; constructing affordable housing; communicating about the area’s 2-1-1 hotline; and increasing access to dental and eye care.
The Village
As part of its mission to make affordable housing more available in the Midlands, United Way has partnered with the Fairfield County School District Education Foundation on a groundbreaking new project: the Village. Here, teachers, administrators, and their families can live in rent-controlled,
three-bedroom homes near the schools where they teach. This is a monumental step toward a more equitable, economically-sustainable life for South Carolina’s educators!
Pictured: Teachers from Geiger Elementary School and their families pose in front of their new homes.
Young Men United
Everyone deserves to build the future they want. United Way is working to help young men succeed academically and professionally with Young Men United, a mentorship and workforce development program based on Milwaukee’s successful MKE Fellows Initiative. By providing mentorship, internships, family support and career guidance, beginning in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade and until the participant reaches their career goals, United Way is helping young men achieve their dreams—with the community backing them every step of the way.
When choosing mentors, United Way looks for people who will develop a genuine interest in their mentee’s long-term success, meeting one-on-one once or more every month. By becoming a stable fixture in a young man’s life, helping him to drive continually toward his career and educational goals, you are making a difference to last a lifetime.
