Blue Circles

Community Resilience

When a crisis happens, it is crucial to have a set of tools ready to respond. Our work in Community Resilience focuses on supporting individuals and families during times of crisis—whether they’re struggling to pay rent, afford food, or keep the utilities on, or coping with the aftermath of a natural disaster. We partner closely with local organizations, emergency responders, and community leaders to build a more connected and supportive safety net, ensuring that help is available when our neighbors need it most.

Mental Well-Being

A 3rd grader at Central Academy of the Arts sat down at her art board this year and drew a circle. She filled it with her life: hard, beautiful, unique, sad, happy. Then she gave the picture to her mom for Christmas.

She is one of 24 students who spent the past school year in expressive arts therapy at her school. Their lives are heavier than most kids' should be: a parent lost, a parent missing, a household in crisis, a grief no nine-year-old has the words for. Once a week, they sit down with Mr. Dale, and they find a way to begin.

Born Learning

Everyday life is a learning experience for children.

Parents and caregivers of young children understand that the early years are important, yet many aren’t sure how to encourage early learning, or feel they don’t have time to do what it takes to help their child succeed in school. Many communities are concerned about children coming to school unprepared.

At United Way, we support the core values of Parents as Teachers:

Financial Security

A single mom in Pickens County is working two jobs and still choosing between the electric bill and groceries. She is doing everything right, and it still is not enough. At United Way of Pickens County, we believe every hardworking neighbor deserves the chance to move from just getting by to getting ahead. Your gift builds the programs, partnerships, and one-on-one support that help Pickens County families turn a hard season into a turning point, and a paycheck into lasting financial stability.

Education

Every child in Pickens County deserves to walk into kindergarten ready to learn and leave third grade ready for the rest of their life. United Way of Pickens County invests in education programs that make that possible, with a bold goal of ensuring 70% of Pickens County 3rd graders are reading on grade level by 2028. Your gift makes that goal achievable.

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