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"You do not need a title to be an advocate."

Sometimes, all it takes is one helping hand to change a life. That was certainly true for one remarkable student who recently found herself facing more than her fair share of challenges.

Where Health Starts When we think about health, most of us picture a doctor’s office. Maybe a hospital. Maybe even a medication or a diagnosis. But here’s the truth: health starts long before someone walks through a clinic door. It starts in our neighborhoods, our paychecks, our transportation systems, and our daily decisions about whether we can afford groceries this week. It starts with whether we feel safe at home, supported at work, and seen when we ask for help. These factors are the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). They’re not new. But they’re finally getting the attention they deserve. The World Health Organization defines SDOH as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.” In other words, it’s the full life around you that shapes your well-being physically, mentally, and emotionally. Research shows that up to 80 percent of a person’s health outcomes are determined by these social and environmental factors , not just access to clinical care. What does that look like here in our community? At United Way of the Piedmont, we see how addressing SDOH support our neighbors and their health every day: A student like Sam, struggling with trauma and grief, finally gets connected to a therapist and a dentist after years without care. A family in Union County gets help with rental assistance, avoiding eviction during a tough month. A senior in Cherokee County receives weekly wellness checks and grocery delivery from a local partner agency. A single mom in Spartanburg learns how to file her taxes through our VITA free tax preparation program and then uses her refund to catch up on bills and secure reliable transportation. These moments may seem small, but they change everything. Because when people have access to housing, food, mental health support, transportation, and income stability, they don’t just survive. They begin to thrive. Our community deserves that chance. Over the past three years, United Way of the Piedmont donors have helped fund 75 local programs focused on these critical needs, an investment of nearly $4.5 million in the building blocks of health. And this spring, 138 programs have applied for funding. They’re ready to do more. But what gets funded depends on what we raise right now. Let’s be clear: this isn’t charity. This is strategy. We fund the future by investing in what actually creates health, not just treating its absence. And we do it together. Because United is the Way we make systems stronger. United is the Way we connect neighbors to care. United is the Way we build healthier communities. Fund our community's future You can help fund what matters most. Your gift doesn’t just support one agency or one program. It fuels a coordinated, community-wide investment strategy to remove barriers, expand access, and support long-term health. Donate now → Help shape what gets funded through 2028—and what happens next for the people who call this place home.

Spartanburg, S.C. (June 25, 2025) – Each year, United Way of the Piedmont proudly honors the community members and partners whose dedication makes our mission possible and amplifies our impact. Their efforts, rooted in partnership and fueled by collaboration, reflect a shared commitment to creating a stronger community. We extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers and organizations who have united in service with us, and we congratulate all of this year’s outstanding award recipients! 2025 Volunteer Celebration Award Winners AmeriCorps VISTA of the Year: Demecia Martin AmeriCorps Direct Service Member of the Year: Maggie Crawford Women United Award: Carolyn MacIntosh Tomeka Pierce African American Leadership Society Award: Jessica Holcomb Walter S. Montgomery Young Leader Award: Sarah Keim Stallard Advocate of the Year: Brian Earnest Tom Barnet Award for Volunteer Service: Chris Steed Community Partner Award: Live Healthy Spartanburg Honoring Our Hurricane Heroes This year, United Way also recognized the exceptional partners who went above and beyond to help our community recover after Hurricane Helene. Congratulations to each of our Hurricane Heroes awardees: City of Spartanburg Spartanburg County Emergency Management Spartanburg County Foundation Spartanburg Regional Foundation As United Way President & CEO Paige Stephenson shared in her remarks, “United is the way we work because we know change doesn’t happen alone. It happens when people come together, with open hearts and a common purpose, to close gaps and open opportunities for all.” Thank you to everyone who continues to make a difference. Together, we are building a brighter future for our community! Get involved with our mission →