Non-Profit Spotlight United Way seeks to break cycle of poverty
Published 11:54 pm Tuesday, March 1, 2022
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Star Photo/Gracie Fields Kim Schlager (L), community outreach coordinator, and President and CEO Leslie Salling (R) assist other non-profits to help others become financially stable and gain educational opportunities.
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BY GRACIE FIELDS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
United Way of East Tennessee Highlands is a charitable organization that donates to many nonprofits in the surrounding area.
“Our mission is ultimately to break the cycle of poverty,” said President and CEO Leslie Salling.
United Way provides financial support to non-profits. “We want the community to feel united so that we can help make an impact together,” said Kim Schlager, the community outreach coordinator.
United Way has had an office in Elizabethton since 2020, and first helped create awareness in the community through community chests. These chests were places where people could submit donations without having to worry about what specific organization the funds would support.
“We saw the community becoming better through these chests and decided to make a bigger change,” said Salling.
Those chests helped raise awareness and support for non-profits throughout the community. Now in an office at 1907 N. Roan St., Building 409, the United Way is encouraging people to come in and learn more about their programs. Volunteering, company partnerships and tutoring for children are available. Volunteering with United Way can range from helping with The Boy Scouts of America to coaching a local soccer league.
“We also currently posted a new grant that is open for applicants until March 18,” said Salling.
The grant is to help one non-profit gain the funding to start a new project or reinvent something that has yet to be updated regarding its services.
To apply for any volunteering positions, one can go to volunteer/united.org.
