"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

(The following is the first in a two-part series about the Rapid Rehousing program in Catawba County.)

BY JOHN BAILEY

jbailey@ccunitedway.com

In the last year, NC 211 received nearly 1,000 calls for help with housing in Catawba County. Among those calls were 299 for emergency shelters and 370 for rent assistance.

The local Rapid Rehousing program is one resource available to help, and leading this initiative is Chasity Houck, Homelessness Response Manager at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

Houck, along with her team, work every day to connect the homeless to some form of shelter in four counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba.

The United Way recently sat down to talk to Houck about how Rapid Rehousing works and its impact in Catawba County.

The focus of Rapid Rehousing is to provide help to families/individuals facing homelessness. Along with housing, this includes connecting them to other wrap-around services like healthcare, food resources, transportation. Examples of qualifying criteria includes being unsheltered or a survivor of domestic violence.

Houck points out that Rapid Rehousing is not meant to be a permanent solution to homelessness, but rather a first step towards permanent, sustainable housing.

“They are reviewed every three months because you’re going to encourage them to get housing, to get a job and be able to stay in that home,” Houck said. “We want to make sure we’re finding them homes that are affordable for them.”



The Catawba County United Way’s Small Businesses Love Big grant cycle opens on Aug. 16.

This is a new CCUW initiative started last year. It is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to invest back into their communities by supporting local non-profit programs.

Each participating company contributes $365 a year, which will be used to fund this new Catawba County United Way allocation process focused on local small and start-up non-profits.

Criteria for Applying for a Grant:

·    Asking for a grant between $2,000 and $5,000.

·    The non-profit agency and its program being funded is focused on helping Catawba County residents.

·    Program impacts individuals/families in need in one or more CCUW impact area: health, education, income.

·    Provide proof of 501c3 status.

·    Provide impact report after use of funds, including demographics.

·    Not currently receiving funds through the annual CCUW grant process. 

SBLB Grant Timeline

·    Aug. 16 – SBLB application OPENS on CCUW website.

·    Sept. 6 – SBLB applications DUE.

·    Sept. 12 – applications reviewed by SBLB representatives.

·    Grants will be announced end of September.

2023-24 Grant Recipients included: VOICE, Serving Our Seniors, Rising Hope Farms Inc., OUTright Youth, Neighbors Network Inc., Catawba Co. Juntos 4-H, Hart Square Foundation Inc., Family Care Center, Council on Aging, The Corner Table.

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.

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