"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

How does mentoring impact the emotional health of youth?

It gives them someone they can count on, who will listen to them and not judge them, lets them know their voice matters.

How does mentoring impact youth in the classroom?

Students try harder on their assignments and homework because they know there is someone who cares about them.



Every year, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) partners with local nonprofits who are champions of improving the lives of youth and teens.

In a new weekly series, the CCUW will introduce the 2024 funded programs working in this impact area, highlighting how education is more than just grades and attendance.

This week – Council on Adolescents in Hickory

By Samantha Gambill

Catawba County United Way

“Sometimes these kids would rather have negative attention, than no attention,” Mentoring Programs Coordinator at Council on Adolescents Tracey Paul said.

She, along with all her volunteers are working to help young teens gain confidence and build up their self-esteem with the Lunch Buddy program.

This program pairs local middle school students with an adult mentor in the community.

“You can never start too soon. The earlier the better,” Paul said.

This mentorship program is a part of Council on Adolescents, a Catawba County United Way funded partner. Lunch Buddy provides children with an additional role model in their lives.

Once a week, the mentors will go to the school of their mentee and eat lunch with them. This takes place for the entirety of the school year.

“Our goal is that they graduate high school, to start with, as the steppingstone to go wherever else they want to go, or whatever else they want to do,” Paul said.

Read More on the CCUW website at THIS LINK.

The Catawba County United Way is planning to host the annual Giving from the Heart Volunteer Awards on June 11 to help recognize these invaluable individuals.

So, it’s time to recognize those outstanding volunteers who make all the difference when it comes to helping local non-profits assist those in a crisis. 

Learn more at THIS LINK.

Are you a small business looking to make a big difference in our community?

Join the Catawba County United Way’s Small Businesses Love Big initiative.

This is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to contribute $365 each as an investment back into the community, supporting local non-profit programs.



“Being able to support organizations in our county who give back to people of all ages and learning about their work was important,” Brooke Padgett from The Gardner Group and SBLB grant committee member said after last year's grant reviews.

“There were so many non-profits out there that I learned about and I’m thankful to be able to help them help the community.”

The CCUW is currently recruiting more small business partners to help with this year’s grant cycle, which runs from August through September.

Learn how your company can be part of this initiative at https://www.ccunitedway.com/small-businesses-love-big or call 828-327-6851.

In total, 28 local small businesses joined SBLB in its first year:

MyFreeTaxes helps individuals file their federal and state taxes for free, and it’s brought to you by United Way.

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 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.