United Way of the Coastal Empire

We wrapped up another incredible year of Read United Buddies with a special end-of-year celebration, and what a year it’s been! Through this one-on-one reading program, elementary students across Chatham County were paired with dedicated volunteer readers, building skills and confidence with every session. Because of volunteers' consistency and care, students are making meaningful progress toward reading on grade level and beyond. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners, The Rotary Club of Savannah and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System , for helping bring this program to life, and to every volunteer who showed up week after week to make a difference. You’re helping open doors, one page at a time. 📚

Happening THIS MONDAY: "Building a Fundraising Engine: Sustainable Revenue Systems." 📍 Where: Senior Citizens Inc., Savannah, GA (3025 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31405) 📅 When: Monday, April 27, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 🎟️ Cost: FREE (Pre-registration required) Seats are limited. Secure yours today! Register at https://lnkd.in/ek7267NT Thank you Gulfstream Aerospace for sponsoring this class.

We’re celebrating an incredible group of interns who wrapped up their time with us this year: Mariama Battle, Julia Nehring, Joanna Coffey, and Meghan Reinhardt! Throughout their time here, they showed up with curiosity, compassion, and a real commitment to strengthening our community. From supporting day-to-day work to jumping into new challenges, each of them made a meaningful impact. We’re grateful for each of them and excited to see what’s ahead 💛

Last week, our 211 Senior Director, Ariane Wallace, was nominated as a “Hero Among Us” for the Coastal Empire Disaster Recovery Committee’s Recovery Award. This recognition honors individuals who step up before, during, and after disasters to protect lives, reduce health impacts, and keep our communities safe. Congratulations, Ariane! We’re grateful for the care and leadership you bring to this work every day.

At United Way, we’re committed to improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community and that starts with investing in future leaders. This month, our President and CEO, Kimberly Waller, will take the stage at the Big Time Summit, helping students explore career pathways and build what comes next. We are looking forward to this incredible event powered by RG Media Affiliates!

April is Financial Literacy Month, and this one is personal for me. Over the years, I’ve had to learn, often in real time, how to manage student debt, navigate the home-buying process, afford child care as a single mom, and build emergency reserves. Those experiences taught me that financial literacy isn’t optional; it’s essential to stability and peace of mind. At United Way of the Coastal Empire, I see this play out across our community every day. Too many families are one unexpected expense away from crisis. When people have access to clear, practical financial knowledge, they gain confidence, choices, and resilience. That’s why we work with partners to support financial education and pathways to long‑term financial security, because opportunity only works when it’s paired with understanding. This month, let’s keep talking about money, sharing what we’ve learned, and investing in tools that help families build stronger financial futures. A financially literate community is a stronger community. #FinancialLiteracyMonth #UnitedWay #CommunityImpact #FinancialStability #CoastalGeorgia #UWCE

Back in February, we unveiled a powerful graphic recording by Inky Brittany, capturing the real, everyday impact of our 211 Information and Referral team. Inspired by calls that came in while she shadowed our specialists, this mural brings their work to life in a way you can see and feel. Now, it’s hitting the road. Over the next year, this piece will travel across the Coastal Empire, and we’re inviting local businesses to be part of the journey. If you’d like to host the mural in your coffee shop, office, or public space, send us a DM today. nvestment is provided by the City of Savannah Weave-A-Dream program/ SavannahCulture #SavannahCulture

Don't forget to sign up for our in-person workshop, "Building a Fundraising Engine: Sustainable Revenue Systems." 📍 Where: Senior Citizens Inc., Savannah, GA (3025 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31405) 📅 When: Monday, April 27, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 🎟️ Cost: FREE (Pre-registration required) Seats are limited. Secure yours today! Register at https://lnkd.in/ek7267NT Thank you Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for sponsoring this class.

We are officially in the final stretch of our annual campaign, and the finish line is in sight! We are currently at 86% of our $5.2 million goal for the Community Fund. A huge thank you to everyone who has already contributed. Let’s keep this momentum going and reach our goal together! uwce.info/give

A very special congratulations to our Senior Director of 211, Ariane Wallace, for graduating from United Way's Next Generation Leaders Initiative Program! The Next-Gen Leaders Initiative is an innovative, future-focused leadership program designed to equip emerging, global United Way leaders to navigate complexity, drive community impact, and lead with strategic foresight. We are so proud of Ariane's hard work and are grateful to have her on our team!