"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty.

But for many, being in poverty is about more than just how much money you have.

The path to poverty is unique for every individual/family, which means the solution is equally complex.

One obvious indicator of poverty is homelessness, and the Catawba County Interagency Council recently got a chance to see how the Roof Above program in Charlotte addresses this issue, using a multi-prong approach.

Gena Robinson, the VP of Single Site Housing at Roof Above hosted a tour of two of the agency’s programs – Moore Place and The Rise on Clanton.

“It was awesome being able to see their housing plan in action,” Strong Life Ministries Director of Case Management Rachel Dillingham said, who also helped organize the trip.

Roof Above is a comprehensive homeless service provider serving 1,200 people per day through a spectrum of services ranging from street outreach, day services, emergency shelter, and permanent supportive housing, according to their website - https://www.roofabove.org/about-us/.

It's the amount of wrap-around services connected to the housing programs that help Roof Above stand out.

“The concept of housing the homeless by lease and providing the resources to succeed was truly inspiring,” The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory homeless shelter director Cheri Bennett said. “The onsite nurse and facilitation of a psychologist/psychiatrist was impressive as we all know how important health (physical, emotional, mental) is to our clientele. 

“This is a great need here in Catawba County as we continue to see the rise in the homeless population, especially in the elderly, who have some form of fixed income but simply cannot afford to live on their own.”

Robinson explained, it was the relationships Rise Above built with other non-profits, local government and public agencies that has been the cornerstone of their success and sustainability.

It’s a path Bonnie Harper, HUD Grant Housing Specialist with Partners Health Management in Hickory would like to see recreated in Catawba County.

“We are a rural area and the more voices and more of the vulnerable population we serve will make a difference,” Harper said. “It will give us a bigger voice for the population we serve. As well as cross over to other congressional players who will want to be involved in seeing a solution. We can show the teamwork we bring to the table.”

Inspired by its visit to Roof Above, the Interagency Council intends to continue this conversation of finding ways to address the growing problem of homelessness and poverty in Catawba County.

The next IA council meeting will be on Oct. 12, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Catawba County United Way office in Hickory.

Congratulations to Joseph Alexander from Century. He is this week's car drawing finalist in the 2023 Catawba County United Way Car Giveaway.

For the 12th year, the car will be donated by Paramount Automotive Group, and thank you to RLI – CPA, Certified Public Accountants for overseeing this year’s drawings.

Want to be part of this year’s United Way campaign and have a chance to win a new car?

Call 828-327-6851 or visit THIS LINK.

Thank You to everyone who supports the CCUW every year.

Past Car Giveaway winners:

• 2012 – Richard Jennings – Century
• 2013 – Barbara Cromer – The Salvation Army
• 2014 – Cody Myers – HSM
• 2015 – Marcie Boughman – DSS
• 2016 – Deborah Morel – DSS
• 2017 – Fred Roseberry – Century
• 2018 – Susan Estes – Conover School
• 2019 – Danny Miller – Shurtape
• 2020 – Amy Hedrick – Publix Lake Hickory Crossing
• 2021 – Meghan Stripling – Conover School
• 2022 – Margaret Bush – Conover School

Hi...to all our area Cross Country coaches. Don't miss out on this year's John F. Hall Catawba County United Way Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 11 at Southside Park in Newton and celebrates 30 years of competition and community outreach.

Registration will be on Milesplit NC, closes Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

The password to access the entry form on https://nc.milesplit.com is, UNITED WAY 2023, all caps. As in the past, the registration amount due per school is $50. A check can be mailed to the Catawba County United Way - PO Box 2425 Hickory NC 28603. Put Cross Country on the memo line. You can bring a check or pay with a card the day of the event.

Food plus…

Gift bags for teams will be provided with t-shirts and other items for each runner. A food tent will also be available for runners and their families. We will have extra water stations at the finish line along with emergency services and a trainer on site.

If you have any questions, just let us know, 828-357-6851 or visit

Details at THIS LINK.

We still need some Christmas Bureau volunteer Elves to help with distribution of Christmas bags.

If you have time to help on

Dec. 12 and 13.

Register at THIS LINK.

The Christmas Bureau is a collaborative effort among many Catawba County agencies and organizations to provide toys, food, clothing and coats to children and teenagers in need of assistance during the Christmas season.

Applications taken in October

Visit www.ecccm.org/cccb to select your appointment time and location.

If you cannot access the online appointment site, call 828-322-2535 to schedule an appointment. There are a limited number of appointments available so schedule your appointment ASAP.



Appointment times will be available Oct. 2 – 26 (Mondays – Thursdays) 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Oct. 10 and 19, 6 – 8 p.m.. Do not bring children.

To make your appointment go smoother, bring all required documentation and complete an information sheet for each child.

What’s Required to Register

·        Photo ID or passport for each applying adult.

·        Birth certificate or Medicaid card with date of birth for all children ages.

·        0-17 and still attending school in the household.

·        Custody papers as applicable.

·        Current food stamp award letter OR proof of all monthly income and expenses.

·        Proof of Catawba County residency.

·        17 and under and still in school – use additional paper if needed.

·        Prepare information for all children in household: name, birth date, gender, needs,

wishes, favorite color – tv show – animal, clothing type – infant – toddler- child, shoe size, coat, pants waist, pants length, shirt, bra.

If you have any questions or want to learn about being a volunteer for the event (we can always use the extra Elves to help) call 828-327-6851 or email John Bailey at the Catawba County United Way – jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

From food resources, emergency financial assistance, housing, healthcare, transportation - NC 211 can help you find out which services are available in your community. Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 or visit nc211.org.

Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program.