Our Work

Everyone deserves opportunities to have a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. That’s why United Way’s work is focused on the building blocks for a good life:

• Education – Helping children and youth achieve their potential
• Income – Promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency
• Health – Improving people’s health

Each year, United Way of Lee County and our partners impact thousands of people in our community. We’re working to make sure that children have a strong start and are successful in school, that families can be self-sufficient, and that everyone has the opportunity to pursue health. Here are some of the ways we're doing that:

• Partner agency support: In 2022-23, United Way is supporting 10 local nonprofits that are providing services and programs to the community
• NC 211: United Way’s free information and referral service that’s available 24/7/365 by simply calling 2-1-1 from any phone, or by visiting this website.
• VolunteerUnited.net: United Way’s volunteer resource website, where people can search for and respond to local volunteer opportunities.
• Self-Sufficiency Standard: United Way of NC commissioned this report that calculates how much is needed for a family to make ends meet without public or private assistance. The report takes family size and composition into account, and the data is available for every county in North Carolina.
• Our Money Needs Calculator:  This handy tool is available here. Just enter the number of people in your family and the ages of the children to learn how much you need to earn in Lee County to make ends meet without assistance. Once you know that number, click the links to other resources that can help you achieve your financial goals.
• SingleCare/FamilyWize prescription discount cards: United Way provides this free resource to help people save money at the pharmacy. Last year, over 1,500 community members saved over $160,000 by using the card. Download your card here or let us know you need one and we'll get it to you.
• Community Involvement: United Way is a partner in many community initiatives:
  • S3 Housing Connect (local task force addressing homelessness in Lee County)
  • Balance of State Region 7 Committee (addressing homelessness)
  • Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Boards in Lee and Harnett Counties
  • Community Resilience Collaborative (addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences)
  • Human Services Technology Advisory Board of Central Carolina Community College
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee (Lee County)