"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way

John Lookadoo’s addiction to drugs and alcohol started when he was fifteen and after a lifetime of struggling, he ended up at Strong Life Ministries in Conover. At that moment he was just looking for a bus pass. What he got was a chance to change his life forever. 

More than 11,600 individuals were homeless last year in North Carolina, according to data from the 2024 HUD Continuum of Care Homeless count. 

Out of that number, one of the largest homeless demographics in North Carolina was men at 6,729.

This includes those who were unsheltered, in transitional housing or in an emergency shelter at the time of the count last December.

To help address this issue in Catawba County, Strong Life Ministries provides a transitional housing program for up to eight men at a time. The Catawba County United Way recently got to sit down and talk to the agency’s staff about the impact of the program.

“We wanted to help people break out of the cycle of homelessness. We kept seeing the same people even after they got help, going back out on the streets,” Director of Strong Life Ministries John Hays said.

He recognized the need for a program that could identify what those barriers were that kept individuals from successfully transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.

“So, what’s causing the cycle? Is it addiction, behavioral health related, work ethic,” Hays said.

The men's transitional program provides an opportunity for those who have been oppressed by poverty to learn to live independently, according to the ministry’s website. This live-in program focuses on the participant's spiritual walk, employment, financial planning and long-term goals. All of this should lead to permanent housing and a stable lifestyle.

“When I first walked into the transitional program after being accepted, I felt a huge rush of relief and peace. I had been struggling with homelessness for years,” Lookadoo said.



Time for a New Direction

The first time he visited Strong Life he was just looking for a bus pass. Hays gave him one and then prayed with him.

Lookadoo eventually ended up being incarcerated for seven months, but when he got out he made his way back to Strong Life. He was sober, got a job and was accepted into the transitional living program.

After a couple of months of working the program, he had an opportunity to step up as the house manager and is currently the Strong Life Men’s Program Director.

The Catawba County United Way welcomes Meredith Willis (sitting second from the left) to our team. She will be stepping into the Director of Resource Development position when Sylvia Long retires. Please help us welcome Meredith to the United Way.

It's almost that time...the school year just ended, but the Catawba County United Way got an early start to this year's School Supply Drive hosting a special lunch, meet and greet on Thursday, with some of our collection partners and representatives from our three local public school districts - Catawba County, Hickory City and Newton-Conover.

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to the luncheon.

Last year, the drive collected more than 9,000 individual items and more than $1,200 monetary donations, all of which went to help local families with children enrolled in our public schools.

We're still signing up collection partners to help through the month of July. If you, your business or community group would like to help with this annual outreach, just call John at the United Way - 828-327-6851.

SUN Bucks summer food program - provides a ONE-TIME payment of $120 in grocery-buying benefits per eligible school-aged child during the summer when schools are out. Benefits can be used to buy nutritious food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers.

Visit www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to learn more and follow @NCDHHS on Facebook, Instagram, and X for program updates.

NCDHHS and NCDPI are equal opportunity employers and providers

#ncsunbucks

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¿Has oído hablar del programa SUN Bucks de Carolina del Norte?

SUN Bucks ofrece un pago ÚNICO de $120 en beneficios de compra de comestibles por niño en edad escolar elegible durante el verano cuando las escuelas están fuera de clases. Los beneficios se pueden utilizar para comprar alimentos nutritivos en tiendas de comestibles, mercados de agricultores y algunos minoristas en línea.

Visita www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks para obtener más información y seguir a @NCDHHS en Facebook, Instagram y X para conocer las actualizaciones del programa.

NCDHHS y NCDPI son empleadores y proveedores de igualdad de oportunidades

#NCSUNBucks

Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley is excited to announce a special application round opening June 9, 2025. We’re reaching out to ask for your support in sharing this opportunity with the community you serve—whether through your internal communications, posting on bulletin boards, or simply spreading the word.

This application round is focused on two specific homes located in Hickory’s Ridgeview neighborhood (85 & 95 3rd Ave SE). Both homes are 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom properties, and we are seeking applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Minimum gross annual income of $40,000 (this floor is specific to this application round only)
• Live or work in Catawba County or bordering counties
• Have a demonstrated need for housing, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat

Key Dates:

• Applicant Information Sessions:
• Monday, June 9th at 9:30 AM at Ridgeview Library
• Monday, June 9th at 5:30 PM at Ridgeview Library
• Applications Available: June 9–20
• Completed Applications Due: Friday, June 27th by 4:00 PM

Applications will be available on our website or by request at our office. Both a English and Spanish flyer is attached to this email.

More information or to apply – 828-328-4663 ext 104 or

https://habitatcatawbavalley.org/our-programs/homeownership/

Last year, local small businesses donating just $365 each helped nonprofits in Catawba County assist more than 3,000 individuals in crisis.

Their funding supported the Catawba County United Way's Small Businesses Love Big (SBLB) grants.

If you're a small business in Catawba County, learn how you can join this outreach in 2025 at

THIS LINK

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 non-profit 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.



The Catawba County United Way is a proud to help fund NC 211 locally.