Donate Today to the 8th Annual AALC Book Drive!
We only have 10 days remaining to collect books for the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council's 8th Annual Book Drive to benefit Title I Schools in the Tri-County area.

Help them reach their goal of providing 3,000 books to students in grades K-3rd at E.B. Ellington Elementary, Harleyville Elementary and St. Stephens Elementary.

These books will be provided to students to take home for the summer and will help prevent the "summer slide" to ensure students can continue on their path to literacy. 
Books can be purchased through May 1 via the Amazon Wish List link below, and shipped directly to the Trident United Way office! New or gently used books may also be dropped off at the following locations:

Trident United Way
6296 Rivers Avenue Suite 200
North Charleston, 29406

Ingevity Headquarters
4920 O'Hear Avenue
North Charleston, 29405
Join Us in Welcoming Our New President & CEO
After an extensive nationwide search, Trident United Way is pleased to announce that David “D.J.” Hampton II became the new president and chief executive officer, effective April 17, 2023. 

“D.J. brings more than 20 years of experience in the United Way network at both national and global levels,” said Trident United Way Board Chair Wendy Kopp. “His knowledge of our mission is extensive, and his reputation is exceptional. We are thrilled and honored to have him join us in service to the Tri-County region.”

Hampton has held critical leadership roles at some of the largest nonprofits in the U.S., including over two decades within the United Way Network, having personally developed over $50 Million in planned gifts, led teams supporting over $1.2 Billion in annual individual giving and helped launch over $1 Billion in initiative and endowment campaigns. 

“Members of the Board of Directors and the Search Committee worked diligently to find an executive who is energetic and passionate about our causes,” said Dr. Courtney Howard, a member of both the Board of Directors and the Search Committee. “D.J. is an incredible leader who will support the growth of our organization and the future of our community.”
Trident United Way Awards $50,000 in Community Engagement Grants
Trident United Way is pleased to announce the 2023 Community Engagement Grant awards totaling over $50,000 to Tri-County nonprofits with up to $3,500 for community engagement activities. 

These grants are intended to supplement one-time or episodic community engagement efforts in the Tri-County area, helping organizations to build capacity, strengthen partnerships and improve systems with outreach events, volunteer engagement and trainings aligned with Trident United Way’s areas of focus in Education, Financial Stability and Health. 

“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for Tri-County nonprofits,” said Trident United Way Associate Vice President of Community Impact Cathy Easley. “We had so many wonderful applicants, many of whom were new to this grant process. We look forward to watching our grantees strengthen our community with continued outreach, education and training.” 

This year Trident United Way received 53 applications that were reviewed by a committee of 17 trained community volunteers. Of those 53, 18 organizations were recommended to receive a grant from the available $50,000 pool of funds. 
Trident United Way's Spring 2023 Lead United Class Graduates
Congratulations to Trident United Way's Lead United Class of 2023, who graduated Tuesday, April 18.

Lead United is a comprehensive community leadership and nonprofit board development program that aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to serve on a nonprofit board of directors. This six-week program focuses on educating professionals and skill-building for board-level service opportunities.

Participants increase their understanding of community challenges for deeper engagement in the areas in which they might serve. During the program, participants hear from content experts at Trident United Way and a myriad of community partners and current nonprofit board members.

Lead United is held in partnership with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.  

Congratulations again to this year's graduates:

  • Kevin Anderson, Owner, Midwest Land Management
  • Anthony Dietrich, Team Leader, Charleston 911 Call Center
  • Carmela Gordon, Instructor, Trident Technical College
  • Shakelia LeBlanc, Residential Loan Officer, Premier Nationwide Lending
  • Melissa Monahan, Audit Manager, Elliott Davis
  • Celeste O'Keefe, Leadership & Programs Manager, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Tara Teddy, Owner, Scenthound Mt. Pleasant
  • Danielle Trauth-Jurman, Advancement Officer, Trident United Way
  • Angie Williams, Americorp Program Manager, Trident United Way
  • Naomi Zeiset, Grants Manager, Trident United Way


Trident United Way
Support Stories:

BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT
In an economy where there are many jobs available, it can be difficult to understand why some people in our community may remain unemployed. In fact, unless you have experienced poverty or homelessness, the idea of a “barrier to employment” may not have ever crossed your mind. These barriers can include anything that could make employment difficult or even impossible, such as lack of adequate housing, clothing, food, transportation, childcare, uniforms, steel-toe boots or other equipment required to perform certain occupations.

Trident United Way’s Resource Connection Centers see community members experiencing barriers to employment on a regular basis and are able to utilize our Barriers to Employment Fund to help these neighbors obtain and sustain employment, which can be transformational not only for the person starting a new job, but for their entire family for years to come.
 
Recently, a client at the Dorchester Resource Connection Center needed to purchase a pair of work pants required for their new job. They would not have the funds for the pants until receiving their first paycheck, but could not begin the job without them.

Through Trident United Way’s Barriers to Employment Fund, our case manager was able to purchase and send a week’s worth of pants and a pair of non-slip shoes to the client’s home.
For an investment of under $150, this client was able to begin work knowing they had all the materials they needed to show up prepared and succeed in their new position.

“This was truly a godsend,” they said when they called to thank the case manager.
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