United Way of the Midlands

❓DID YOU KNOW❓
94% percent of teachers reach into their own pockets for classroom necessities, spending an average of $500-$750 each year on supplies students need, according to the National Education Association.

You can help ease that burden on Midlands teachers this school year by donating to our 📚'Ready, Set, Supply' drive! There's two weeks left to help make a difference!

Check out the classroom wish lists here! 🔗uway.org/readysetsupply

School and the need for supplies is right around the corner School and the need for supplies is right around the corner

✨This morning, Young Men United visited with Exeeder South Carolina CEO Derek Bailey, where they got an inside scoop into entrepreneurship, and his invaluable tip to the secret of success!

Thank you for taking the time to inspire our youth! 🙌

🔗 Learn more about Young Men United on our website at www.uway.org/ymu

Happy Fourth! 🎆 Today, we recognize our country’s Independence Day and wish everyone celebrating a safe and happy holiday.

Together, let’s keep working to create an America where every person has equitable opportunities to thrive. ❤️🤍💙

🎒📐 Ready, Set, Supply! 📓✏️

With a new school year just around the corner, we're excited to launch our third annual school supply drive! This summer, we invite you to join us on our mission to stock the classrooms of elementary school teachers in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Newberry, and Orangeburg counties.

💡 Learn more about how you can get involved at uway.org/readysetsupply.

We made the most of yesterday's famously hot Columbia heat by building solar ovens and cooking up s'mores! 🌞 These campers from Jackson Creek Elementary School's 21st Century Summer Camp were able to harness the energy of the Sun with teamwork and engineering skills.

This summer, the Midlands Reading Consortium has supported 1,482 students in literacy and STEM focused summer camps at our partner schools. 🌟

🔗 Interested in being an MRC volunteer? Learn more at uway.org/mrc.

📣 More exciting news!

TD Bank's Charitable Foundation has awarded United Way of the Midlands a $10,000 grant to support the Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC). Thanks to your generous contribution, MRC is better equipped to mobilize the amazing volunteers who provide one-on-one support to young readers in our community. 💙

🔗 Learn more about MRC at uway.org/mrc.

Today is Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the 1865 emancipation of enslaved people in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This holiday reminds us of the importance of freedom and equity for all.

Today, we reflect on the progress made and recommit ourselves to creating a future where every person is treated with dignity, respect, and equality. Today, we can choose to make a difference for good.

Congratulations to Deja Vaughn-Hostos for representing United Way of the Midlands as a graduate of the 2024 class of Leadership Columbia! Thank you to Chamber for supporting such an amazing program that promotes strong social and community awareness.

Elevate your movie experience this summer by uplifting your community! 🌠

When you catch a movie at Regal Columbiana Grande, ask to round-up at concessions to support United Way of the Midlands’ work in creating positive change. 🍿

Together, let's turn a trip to the theater into a powerful force for good! 💙

We’re excited to share that Dominion Energy has awarded a grant of $7,500 to United Way of the Midlands to support the Midlands Reading Consortium! 📣

📚 This funding helps us to continue providing essential literacy resources to students in our community. During the 2023-2024 school year, we reached 1,460 students through family engagement nights and distributed 1,084 books.

🔬 This year, we are continuing our expansion of STEM education, ensuring that children have access to the skills and knowledge necessary for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Thank you for your ongoing support of MRC! 💙

🎶🚗 Park to Give is excited to announce parking availability for the sold-out Chappell Roan concert at the Township!

Starting at 6pm, secure your parking spot for only $10. Look for our signage on Barnwell and Blanding St. 📍

The best part? Half of the proceeds support United Way of the Midlands! 💙

🤝 Join us in making a difference while enjoying an unforgettable night of music! 🎵

🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/parktogive

🎉 Congratulations to Mel Taylor, our Communications Director, and Tiffany Johnson, our Senior Manager of Youth & Resiliency, on completing the 2024 Blueprint for Leadership program!

United Way of the Midlands' Blueprint for Leadership is a professional development course targeting future community leaders. The program prepares diverse groups of individuals for volunteer service in the nonprofit sector. 🌟

✨ Special thanks to Elliot Epps and Alicia Rosen for their amazing work organizing the program!

Last week, we hosted our Midlands Reading Consortium Volunteer Celebration! 🎉

The MRC Volunteer Celebration is an annual event dedicated to recognizing and honoring the incredible contributions of our volunteers. These committed individuals have devoted countless hours to supporting young readers and fostering a love of literacy in our community. The celebration is a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers, featuring inspiring stories from volunteers, newly added awards, certificates, and a joyous gathering of those who make a significant difference in the lives of students. Join us in celebrating the passion, dedication, and impact of our MRC volunteers!

Here are a few highlights from the evening 📸

is not just a celebration; it’s a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and acceptance for all. At United Way, we believe in fostering an inclusive society where everyone in our community can thrive.

🌈🏳️‍🌈 Together, we can make a difference and build a future where love and equality prevail.

Last week, we hosted our 2024 Blueprint for Leadership graduation at Central Carolina Community Foundation and recognized 24 participants for completing the program requirements.

Blueprint for Leadership is a professional development course targeting future community leaders. The program prepares diverse groups of individuals for volunteer service in the nonprofit sector.

Congratulations to our 2024 Blueprint for Leadership graduates! We look forward to seeing the ways you all will work to advance our Midlands community!

This Memorial Day, let’s unite in remembrance and gratitude for those who served with courage and dedication.

Together, we honor their sacrifice and continue to strive for a better tomorrow.

Congratulations to our Young Men United seniors! 🎉

Last week, we gathered to celebrate the graduating seniors in the Young Men United Pilot Cohort at Second Nazareth Baptist Church. 🎓

As these young men embark on their next chapter, they represent a diverse array of post-graduation plans, each reflecting their individual passions, aspirations, and goals. Some have chosen to pursue higher education at two and four-year institutions, while others will enter the workforce, serve their country, or embark on paths that will lead to meaningful contributions within their communities and beyond.

We're incredibly proud of these young men and look forward to their continuation in the program as they work to complete their post-high school dreams.

Special thanks to Second Nazareth Baptist Church for hosting us and providing dinner for the evening. Thanks to Kristopher Jones with Hatten-Jones Clothiers for the custom suits 👔 pictured and to Imperial Custom Clothiers for the blazers each young man received in their leather duffle bag.

Thank you to all of our YMU sponsors who make the work we do possible and to our YMU team for going above and beyond for each student. 💙

🔗 ICYMI: https://youtube.com/live/zzo0Ervdgk0

Congratulations to our MRC AmeriCorps Team Lead Shenise Williams on being named the AmeriCorps of the Year! We're incredibly proud of you, Shenise, and appreciate all of your efforts to improve childhood literacy throughout the Midlands. 💙

AmeriCorps SC | AmeriCorps

United Way of the Midlands is working hard to address our community's shortage of affordable housing along with our partners. In the past two years, we have invested $2.8 million in affordable housing initiatives leveraging more than $56 million in total project costs. This represents 336 housing units toward our goal of 500.

With rising rents and home prices bearing down, Richland County could spend $4M for relief More than 17,000 renters in Richland County spend more than half of their income on housing.

🍷 Don’t miss Wine Down Wednesday this evening!🌟 Join United Way of the Midlands Young Leaders Society and Women in Philanthropy for networking, support, and celebration.

🗓 May 8, 5-7 PM
📍 Gardener’s Outpost | 1211 Franklin St., Columbia, SC 29201

Connect with local leaders, enjoy wine & appetizers, and learn gardening tips from Carol & Randall Isherwood. Support Sistercare by bringing donations for a chance to win tickets to WIP’s Power of the Purse event!

Tickets:
🎟 Free for YLS & WIP Donors
🎟 $15 for Guests

🔗 uway.org/events/wdw2024

It's Power Hour! ⏱

Donate to the Midlands Reading Consortium by 10:59 a.m. to help us unlock a $2,000 Aflac Power Hour gift.

🔗 midlandsgives.org/uwm

Volunteer Week Highlights 📸

Big thanks to all across the Midlands who participated in National Volunteer Week last week. Hundreds of volunteers rallied across our community giving their time to dozens of local organizations, giving back to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

We're thrilled that we could partner with so many organizations to offer over 30 volunteer projects. Thank you to our host organizations for opening your doors to our volunteers. We look forward to next year!

Looking to get involved? We partner with organizations to offer volunteer projects year-round through our Volunteer Center at volunteer.uway.org.

Even Midlands Technical College's mascot, Mav, loves our Midlands Reading Consortium! 💙

Last year, we expanded MRC to include STEM. Since then, we've had one-on-one STEM volunteers, STEM Nights, Math Nights and more at partnering schools in our community. To continue this work, we're asking for YOU to help us reach our goal of $10,000 to train volunteers and purchase necessary supplies to further the success of our MRC program.

🔗 Give today at midlandsgives.org/uwm.

Last night, we hosted our annual Live United Awards to celebrate the tremendous generosity of our donors, the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, and the commitment to community exhibited by all the companies that support United Way of the Midlands.

Central Energy | Sound and Images

We are in the mood to celebrate! Looking forward to seeing you all today at 4:30 at Central Energy for the Live United Awards!

We are in the mood to celebrate! Looking forward to seeing you all today at 4:30 at Central Energy for the Live United Awards! https://www.uway.org/events/live-united-awards-1

Last month, our Young Men United mentees and a few mentors attended a professional development session at SCETV Education.

Our seniors took professional headshots, were fitted for custom suits and blazers and learned how to tie a tie. The young men also learned invaluable communication skills for making a great first impression.

Special thanks to Kristopher Jones with Hatten-Jones Clothiers, Apprenticeship Carolina, and Imperial Custom Clothiers!