STORIES OF IMPACT
Helping 3,000 York County families achieve financial stability by 2030
Equipping our community to thrive
Read how your support is changing lives
Rafette's Story
Saving for the future
Rafette is a participant in our Power to Thrive Financial Stability Network.
In just six short months, Rafette has crushed her financial goals! Before entering the network, Rafette lived without a budget, causing her to repeatedly be “in the red.” She lacked the financial literacy knowledge needed to make ends meet.
By walking alongside her and providing financial literacy, Rafette is now on a path to financial stability. She has paid off her credit card debt, improved her credit score, and has emergency savings.
She is a single mom working toward owning her own home so that her son can have a yard to play in.
The relief she feels to be “in the green” every month is immeasurable.
I have enjoyed meeting with Rafette to work toward her goal of home ownership. She has met every single goal that she set out to accomplish and has done so on time or before the deadline she set for herself. She is following a budget, passing financial literacy skills on to her son, and saving for the future!
Emily Pate — Director of Collective Impact
Towanda's Story
Overcoming obstacles
Towanda Campbell is one of the many hard-working single mother head of households who is taking strides to meet her program goals as well as reach financial stability.
When Ms. Campbell started with the Financial Stability Network, she was unable to work due to medical reasons and was unable to make ends meet for herself and her family. However, Ms. Campbell was determined to learn money management skills, start back working, buy a home, and provide for her and her children’s needs.
Since beginning the Network, Ms. Campbell has gained employment while also starting her own cleaning business. She has completed the First Time Home Buyer Program coursework, has increased her knowledge in money management, has raised her credit score by over 60 points, and decreased her car loan.
On top of all of that, she is actively working towards her long-term goals of owning a home and becoming financially stable!
The gratitude Ms. Campbell has shown towards the UWYC team has been truly touching, and she is a pleasure to work with. I have enjoyed working with her towards both her personal and financial goals. She has the drive and work ethic to make her dreams a reality.
Emily Pate — Director of Collective Impact
Lisa's Story
Unlocking success with financial literacy
Financial literacy is critical to helping an individual become self-sufficient. Not surprisingly, families who have financial literacy skills are more likely to make wise financial choices.
Financial literacy is key to Lisa’s success story.
While Lisa was part of our Financial Stability Network, Lisa received financial coaching. During this time, Lisa went from working a part-time position to working full-time, making 50-60k annually!
Because of our financial coaching program, Lisa now knows how to effectively manage her new income. She is able to meet her monthly expenses and save for the future.
We are thrilled to say Lisa has finished her time in our Financial Stability Network. Lisa thanked our team for all of their help and was pleased to report she no longer needed services.
Lisa said to give her spot to someone that can benefit from it as she did!
ALEX'S STORY
Removing the barrier of childcare for higher education
Alex, a single mom, is working to become a nurse.
Because of her lack of childcare, Alex was only able to attend school part-time. Through our partnership with York Technical College and York County First Steps, we helped Alex access full-time, quality childcare for $10 a week.
Alex had the peace of mind that her child is being cared for in a safe and accredited center. She was able to take a full course load and graduated in December.
Alex will now enter the workforce at a liveable wage by pursuing her nursing degree. By removing the barrier to affordable childcare, Alex is able to provide for her family and continue on her path toward financial stability.
SHAKIRA'S STORY
Peace of mind with quality childcare
Shakira is a registered nurse at Atrium.
Before that, however, she was a full-time student and mother in the nursing program at York Technical College and was in dire need of childcare for her son.
Like many, Shakira found herself unable to find affordable and reliable childcare so that she could focus on her schoolwork. Due to this, she struggled to make it to class every week and to study for her exams.
Thanks to the United Way Childcare Assistance Program, Shakira’s life changed. She was able to place her son at a quality childcare center and concentrate on her schoolwork.
Not only was she able to pass her exams, graduate, and begin her career as a nurse, but her son has also been given the opportunity to learn and grow as well, as his speech and language skills have flourished while in daycare.
Shakira’s story demonstrates that there are hardworking people in our community who have the work ethic and motivation to reach their goals if only they were given the resources and opportunities to pursue them!
NADJA'S STORY
Removing the barrier of childcare for higher education
Nadja, a kindergarten assistant at Oakdale Elementary, had childcare plans for her son so that she would be able to go back to school to finish her early childhood education.
However, those plans were shaken when her family member became ill. This left Nadja earnestly searching for childcare, but everywhere was either at capacity, too far from her home, or out of her budget.
Then, Nadja received a Childcare Scholarship from UWYC. This gave her the opportunity to work, save money, and go back to school to continue her early childhood education, knowing her child is being taken care of in a quality childcare center.
Now, she is on her way to reaching her goal of becoming a certified K-12 teacher. Through Rock Hill School’s partnership with North Greenville University, she has secured an internship in the Fall and will graduate in one year.
By removing the barrier of childcare for Nadja, she is able to earn a degree that will enable her to earn more and reach financial stability.
