From the Desk of Dr. Laurie George, President and CEO | | |
Dear Friends,
As we power into February with purpose, we reflect on January’s National Mentoring Month and the vital role caring adults play in helping young people grow, build confidence, and navigate life’s challenges.
At United Way of Palm Beach County, mentoring is not just something we celebrate. It is a core strategy for strengthening our community and helping young people see what is possible for their future.
Through our leadership and partnerships, United Way supports a strong mentoring ecosystem across Palm Beach County. By investing in local organizations, aligning efforts, and elevating best practices, we help ensure mentoring relationships are consistent, meaningful, and accessible to the children and families who need them most. This work reflects our belief that opportunity expands when young people are supported by trusted adults who show up and stay engaged.
At the same time, we know that mentoring does not exist in a vacuum. Nearly half of Palm Beach County households are ALICE households, meaning they are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed, yet still struggle to afford necessities. This reality shapes how we approach our work. That is why our team joined United Ways from across the country at the National ALICE Summit to learn, collaborate, and identify practical, data-driven solutions that strengthen financial stability for working families and create pathways to long-term success.
The stories in this newsletter reflect the depth and breadth of United Way’s impact, from mentoring and education to financial stability, health, and basic needs. They also highlight our role as a convener and problem-solver, bringing partners together to move beyond awareness and toward lasting solutions.
This progress is made possible by supporters like you who believe in thoughtful, community-wide approaches to change. Your support helps young people thrive, families stabilize, and our community grow stronger.
Thank you for standing with United Way of Palm Beach County and helping us realize our goal of serving more people!
With gratitude,
Laurie George
| | Strengthening Our Community Through Mentoring | | |
January was National Mentoring Month, a time to recognize the powerful role caring adults play in shaping the lives of young people. With all that our world is facing today, it’s more important than ever for kids to have a trusted adult who will show up, listen, and help guide them through real-life decisions.
UWPBC funds and oversees 25 local mentoring programs, while our Mentor Center serves as the anchor of the Palm Beach County Mentor Network, a professional affiliation of 60 mentoring organizations working together to strengthen and elevate mentoring across our community. Together, these local programs support nearly 6,000 mentor matches each year, proving that one caring adult can truly change a life.
| | Spending just one hour a week with a mentor can help a child become: | | More likely to be enrolled in college. | | More likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities. | | More likely to volunteer regularly in their communities. | | Celebrating Mentoring Across Palm Beach County | | |
January brought two meaningful proclamation moments for our mentoring community. We were honored to join our mentoring partner agencies at Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, as January 2026 was officially recognized as Mentoring Month. During a Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Joel Flores formally presented a proclamation recognizing January as Mentor Awareness Month in Palm Beach County.
These proclamations celebrate the power of guidance, connection, and commitment in shaping brighter futures for our youth and serve as a powerful reminder that when our community comes together to uplift mentoring, we are investing in hope, opportunity, and lasting impact.
| | Empowering Others: Gwyn's Commitment to Mentoring | | |
We're proud to shine a spotlight on our remarkable Associate Vice President of Mentoring, Gwynette Williams. With her unwavering dedication and passion for mentorship, Gwyn has not only led with heart but has also been a driving force in creating meaningful opportunities for learning, growth, and connection across our community. Her leadership is making a lasting, positive impact on youth in Palm Beach County. The Q&A below offers just a glimpse into Gwyn's story. Click the button below to explore the full Q&A and discover the heart of her incredible work, learn about her journey, and discover the transformative power of mentoring and its lasting impact on individuals and communities.
Q: Can you share details about your journey into the mentoring field and what has shaped your approach?
A: My career has been built on over 20 years of transformative human development work across the non-profit sector. My background in organizational psychology, leadership development, and youth-focused community programs has provided me with a strong foundation for this work.
I have worked in the mentoring field since July 2024, when I joined United Way of Palm Beach County as Associate Vice President of Mentoring. While my formal role in mentoring leadership is relatively recent—approximately 18 months—my career has been built on over 20 years of transformative human development work across the non-profit sector.
| | National Mentoring Summit, Washington D.C. | | |
Our President & CEO, Dr. Laurie George, and our Mentoring team, alongside our valued partner agencies, proudly represented our community in the nation's capital, advocating for stronger federal support for youth mentoring programs. As part of the National Mentoring Summit, they had the opportunity to engage with leaders on Capitol Hill, including Representative Lois Frankel, to elevate the proven value of quality, relationship-centered mentoring and youth support systems, and their role in strengthening outcomes for young people, families, and communities.
Our team urged Congress to invest $130 million in Fiscal Year 2027 for the Youth Mentoring Program to expand access to proven mentoring services for underserved and high-risk youth nationwide. This funding supports direct mentoring, strengthens quality through the National Mentoring Resource Center, and helps reduce waiting lists as demand continues to grow.
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They were also seeking co-sponsors for several bipartisan mentoring bills that address critical gaps:
The Foster Youth Mentoring Act would establish a dedicated grant program to ensure foster youth have consistent, well-trained mentors. Mentoring improves stability, educational outcomes, emotional well-being, and long-term success for young people who face some of the highest risks within our systems.
The Mentoring to Succeed Act expands school-based mentoring in high-need schools, supports trauma-informed and violence-prevention strategies, and strengthens workforce readiness through partnerships with local businesses. It also allows funding for evaluation and continuous improvement to ensure lasting impact.
The Transition to Success Mentoring Act focuses on the pivotal transition from middle to high school by partnering school districts with community-based mentoring organizations. Early intervention during this critical period helps prevent disengagement and dropout before challenges become crises.
These insights and strategies will help strengthen our work and deepen the impact we’re making in Palm Beach County.
| | 3rd Annual Mentor Mile: Registration OPEN | | |
Lace up your sneakers and join us on April 4 from 8:00–11:00 AM for the 3rd Annual Mentor Mile, a high-energy, family-friendly celebration of mentoring, connection, and community! This fun-filled morning brings neighbors together to move, laugh, and learn while exploring valuable resources available right here in our community. Meet local organizations, connect with United Way programs, and discover services designed to support and strengthen families.
Event Highlights Include:
- Bounce house & petting zoo
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DJ music by Digital Vibez
- Community vendor booths
- Raffle prizes
- Light breakfast & refreshments
- Medals for all race finishers
This event is open to the public with pre-registration, so grab your family, friends, and walking shoes and be part of a morning filled with fun, movement, and meaningful connections. Let’s celebrate mentoring—one mile at a time!
| | We were proud to join our community at Fiesta de Pueblo for a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture, featuring music, art, food, and local businesses from across Palm Beach County. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with our neighbors and share valuable resources. We had a fantastic time celebrating the rich culture and traditions that help make Palm Beach County such a diverse and special place. | | We were grateful to spend time with the Dreyfoos School of the Arts National Honor Society students. During our conversation, we shared insights on life after high school, college journeys, and the many paths that can lead to meaningful and impactful work in the nonprofit sector. Their thoughtfulness, curiosity, and drive were truly inspiring, and we left encouraged by the passion and potential of this next generation. | | We joined United Ways from across the country in Miami for the National ALICE Summit, coming together around a shared commitment to advancing financial stability for working families. Over the course of the summit, our team had the opportunity to learn from national experts, exchange local insights, and explore practical, data-driven strategies that can help strengthen pathways to stability across our community. This experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, innovation, and actionable solutions in supporting our ALICE population. | | Our United for Impact 2026 Community Leadership & Philanthropy Kickoff brought together community leaders to celebrate the many ways we’re making a difference. From Taxes-Filed-Free and mentoring to volunteering and MISSION UNITED, the event highlighted the collective impact made possible through leadership, service, and generosity. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, Publix Charities, Fifth Third Bank, and TBC Corporation. Special thanks to our partners, Digital Vibez and FPL’s Manatee Lagoon, for helping make this kickoff possible! | | Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies | Congratulations to Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County on 40 years of transforming lives and strengthening families! Their Portraits of Promise initiative beautifully captures this legacy. We’re especially proud to celebrate our President & CEO, Dr. Laurie George, who was honored alongside other community leaders for her unwavering commitment to supporting healthy moms and strong families. Click here to listen to Dr. George speak on why HMHB is so vital and why we're proud to support this life-changing work. | | We were grateful to be part of one of the most unforgettable philanthropic nights of the year, the 17th Annual Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments. The energy, excitement, and generosity that filled the night were a testament to the power of community collaboration. A heartfelt congratulations to all the nonprofit agencies selected to participate in this incredible event. Special thanks to the volunteers whose efforts made the Costume Relay Race a memorable part of the evening. | | Giving Back at Takeoff: Thank You, Signature Aviation | | |
We are incredibly grateful to Signature Aviation for their generous donation in celebration of the grand opening of their new private terminal at Palm Beach International Airport - North. Support like this helps MISSION UNITED continue serving veterans and their families in our community with critical resources and care.
Thank you to the Signature Aviation team for honoring this milestone by giving back to those who have given so much. Congratulations on the new terminal, and welcome to Palm Beach County!
| | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a Day On, not a Day Off, and in January, we put that belief into action. Volunteers from Palm Beach Atlantic University and Florida Power & Light rolled up their sleeves to assemble literacy kits that spark a love of reading in young children. Our team also joined the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County’s MLK Day 5/10K, uniting with the community through movement, service, and a shared commitment to carry Dr. King’s legacy of justice and compassion forward. | | Fast, Free, Safe Tax Preparation | | |
Tax season is officially OPEN with the IRS now processing 2025 tax returns, and you don’t have to pay to file. The Taxes Filed Free Campaign provides free, confidential, and secure preparation and e-filing of tax returns to qualified taxpayers. To qualify, the taxpayer’s income must have been $78,000 or less in 2025. Taxpayers may be eligible for up to $8,046 in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC). Watch the video below to learn more and join us for the first Tax-a-Thon of the season!
• When: Saturday, February 14, 2026
• Location: Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth Campus
Cafeteria near the administration building
4200 S. Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33461
• Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
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Celebrating Women's History Month this March
Thursday, March 5 | Fountains Country Club
Check-in: 5:30 pm | Program: 6:30-8:00 pm
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In celebration of Women's History Month this March, United Way of Palm Beach County’s Women United is hosting an empowering and dynamic event that brings together some of the most influential voices in our community.
Join us on Thursday, March 5, at Fountains Country Club, for an exclusive evening that blends inspiration, leadership, and action. The night begins with guest check-in at 5:30 pm, followed by an candid conversation with our distinguished panel of trailblazing women from 6:30-8:00 pm, celebrating those making a lasting impact in Palm Beach County and beyond.
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The conversation will be expertly moderated by Paige Kornblue, ESPN Events & Media Host, whose passion for storytelling and commitment to highlighting impactful voices make her the perfect guide for this inspiring discussion. Our panel will feature:
Alexcia Cox, State Attorney for Palm Beach County, whose dedication to justice and community transformation sets the bar for future leaders.
Maria Marino, Palm Beach County Commissioner, a visionary leader shaping the future of our community through public service and advocacy.
Nicole Cummings, Upper Stage Program Manager at L3Harris Technologies, Inc., and NASA RL10 Exploration.
Come be inspired by stories of resilience, leadership, and success as these powerful women share their journeys, challenges, and victories. This is an evening you won't want to miss – an opportunity to connect, engage, and feel empowered to make your own positive impact.
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Literacy Kits Project
Tuesday, February 25 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
United Way of Palm Beach County Office
477 S. Rosemary Ave, Suite 230, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
| Visit our United Way of Palm Beach County office to help create literacy kits that make reading a fun and interactive adventure for children and their families. Each kit has engaging props and hands-on activities designed to spark a love of reading. Once assembled, these kits will be shared with local children through United Way-funded agencies. Children 8 and older are welcome to join in and make a difference! | |
PBC Food Bank Project
Thursday, March 5 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Palm Beach County Food Bank
701 Boutwell Road, Suite A-1, Lake Worth, FL 33461
| Join us at the Palm Beach County Food Bank to sort and pack food for our neighbors in need. Every box you fill helps feed thousands in our community who are struggling to put food on the table. Volunteers ages 16 and older are welcome to sign up. | | Be a Champion for PBC by Giving or Getting Involved! | | | | |
