United Way modernizes comprehensive organizational approach to ensure access to programs and services for Union County residents

In a virtual series of webinars and workshops, initiative provides families with relevant content meaningful to today’s time.

OCTOBER 2020 – UNION COUNTY, NJ As part of its transformation to continue providing programs and services, United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) recently announced that it has modernized their comprehensive approach to their family strengthening model. The organization is collaborating within its community resources network and its affiliated initiatives to provide a series of virtual webinars that will provide families and individuals with continued access to services, leadership and career focused initiatives, and ways they can advocate in their communities.  

Building Resiliency Empowering Parents, Families and Individuals, the themed focus, serves to provide continued support to residents who are facing educational, health and economic barriers, and ensures services are provided in both the traditional and virtual (online) setting. During the Coronavirus pandemic, UWGUC saw an increase in the number of families struggling to meet basic needs such as buying food, paying rent and having access to healthcare. The unemployment rate in Union County went from 4.5% in January to 16.4% in June 2020, resulting in more than 81,000 unemployed residents, 3100 evictions filed and 9000 food stamp applications filed in Union County. “At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, we quickly realized we had to shift our focus on how we served the community.” said, James Horne, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County. “Our collaborative series addresses a variety of needs including healthcare access, eating healthy on a budget, coping with anxiety and depression and, diversity and equity inclusion. The response has been positive.”  

In response to the pandemic, the organization’s Women United and African American Leadership Initiatives, developed a series of professional development, financial literacy for professionals and racial advocacy virtual workshops. In addition, through donations of fresh and nonperishable food from Amazon Logistics and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the organization hosts weekly food distributions, where 900 families are served on average each week. During the summer, UWGUC organized and held a virtual back-to-school drive serving more than 400 students with backpacks and school supplies.  

UWGUC also calls for the support of volunteers who are experts in their field to consider partnering to host a workshop or webinar. Virtual workshops and webinars are free and open to the public. Interested persons can visit the United Way of Greater Union County website at https://www.uwguc.org/virtualworkshops.

About United Way of Greater Union County

United Way of Greater Union County provides critical resources to children and families in need throughout greater Union County, North Plainfield and South Plainfield. The organization works to improve lives and build strong communities, by focusing on key areas in education, income stability, health and family strengthening. More information about United Way of Greater Union County’s work in the community is available online at www.uwguc.org.