We Fight Poverty
At United Way, We Fight Poverty.
We fight poverty – the kind that traps families for generations. Why? Because poverty determines a child’s educational experiences, healthcare, nutrition and life expectancy. Because a child born into poverty is more likely to raise her own family in poverty one day. Because this cycle of poverty severely limits our region’s potential.
Poverty is the most pressing challenge facing Chatham County.
At United Way, we Live United against poverty by fighting for the success of every child and the stability of every family in our region.
Research shows that children succeed when their parents or caregivers succeed. That’s why we take a two-generation approach to help people break the cycle of poverty.
We can’t do this work alone. That’s why we invest in nonprofit partners that assist with basic needs, nurture youth and families and strengthen the community.
- 50% of Chatham County School Students are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Cost Lunch Program.
- 66% of renter households in Chatham are making less than 80% of the Average Median Income and are cost-burdened by housing expenses.
- 40% of Chatham County residents have visited a food pantry in the last year.
- The basic living expenses for a senior living in Chatham County are higher than the state-wide average.