"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way

Regardless of how you define the roots of poverty in any community, it tends to boil down to the issue of access – access to education, access to housing, access to jobs, access to food, access to healthcare, access to transportation. 

All these issues on their own or together can set a person on a downward spiral in life.

And every year, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) works to help eliminate poverty in an equitable, ethical and meaningful manner by addressing as many of these issues as possible through its large grant cycle.



During its recent June meeting, the CCUW board of directors, with input from a committee of community volunteers, recently approved grants for 18 programs from 15 local nonprofit and government agencies, for a total allocation of $555,000 in 2025.

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority will open the Housing Choice Voucher Section waiting list for new applications July 1 at 8 a.m.



All applications must be made online at housing.wpcog.net.

If you need assistance accessing or completing your application, call 828-322-9191.

Small Businesses had a Big Impact through last year's Catawba County United Way's newest grant cycle.

Ten local nonprofit agencies received funds to help improve the lives right here in our county.

They included:

· The Corner Table,

· Catawba Co. Council on Aging,

· Family Care Center,

· Hart Square Foundation Inc.,

· Catawba County Juntos 4-H,

· Neigbors Network Inc.,

· OUTright Youth,

· Rising Hope Farms Inc.,

· Serving Our Seniors,

· Volunteer Outreach in Community Efforts.



The United Way will be opening this cycle again soon and there is still time for local small businesses to sign-up and support this outreach.

Call 828-327-6851 or...

We've all heard the phrase - "It takes a village," and in the non-profit world it's true. The Catawba County United Way enjoys building relationships with its community partners and sees how much greater our impact is because of our collective efforts every day.

Below are some upcoming programs and events from just a few of those partners...please share, and if you're interested, the Catawba County Interagency Council meets the second Thursday every month (10:30 a.m.) at the United Way office - 2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory.

Call 828-327-6851 for more information or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

NC 211 is the United Way of North Carolina's health and human services information line.

For help - Call NC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892 1162 or visit THIS LINK.

Open 24/7, 365 days a year.

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