Israel’s Story

Imagine being a single mother of three children, earning $13,000 a year, and learning that your oldest son has cancer. For Israel Suarez’s mother, struggling to make ends meet and trying to ensure your children have food, becomes more than second nature, it becomes a crisis and a matter of life or death. 

Today in Forsyth County, about 1 in 4 children under the age of 18 live in poverty. Many families are forced to stretch their budgets to the very max, sacrificing food, medicine, or other basic needs. These families shouldn’t have to go struggle when there are dedicated people like us who care about our community and all of its residents. Your gift to the United Way will help us and the over 40 agencies we partner with to improve the lives of children and families in need throughout Forsyth County. 

Fortunately for Israel, United Way of Forsyth County funded programs paved the way for his family to overcome their circumstances. Israel’s brother received life-saving care for his cancer treatment through Cancer Services and Israel was introduced to Crosby Scholars where the idea of college was instilled in him in the 7th grade. Today, Israel’s brother is cancer-free and Israel is pursuing his graduate degree in biochemistry at Wake Forest University. Without the United Way of Forsyth County, the ending to Israel’s story could have been much more hopeless.  

With your help, we can continue to help families like his build a better life with a brighter future. 

BRANDON’s Story

After Brandon’s mom lost her job and her home, she and her son sought help and began living at the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter. Brandon was battling extreme behavioral issues while his mother struggled with her own mental health. They both needed a breadth of services to restore their family to a place of stability.

First, housing was obtained through United Way of Forsyth County’s Housing Matters program, mental health services for Brandon’s mother were scheduled through the Mental Health Association, and finally day treatment services began for Brandon at Amos Cottage.

Once the family’s basic needs were met, Brandon’s mom could focus her attention on supporting Brandon, learning more positive behavioral strategies to redirect her son’s behavior. She didn’t have to worry about housing or her own health issues.

“Brandon is thriving now and I feel like I have a support network to help me be the best mom I can — United Way of Forsyth County was there when we needed help the most.”

frank’s Story

The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated that our work is increasing by exposing challenges in our community and creating additional needs. Now, more than ever, too many people in our community are just one crisis away from financial ruin. People like Frank who found himself homeless after the death of his wife Grace.

Luckily, Frank was referred to the United Way of Forsyth County and reached out for support. He needed a place to stay until he could get back on his feet. Frank’s wife managed the family finances and without her income and assistance, Frank was lost not only in his grief but also in how to move forward.

Frank was introduced to a case manager who helped him create a personalized recovery plan. For Frank this was the light at the end of a dark tunnel. “I had lived in the same place with one woman for 35 years, and suddenly I was living with 20 men I did not know.”

After three months of support and shelter, Frank found permanent housing, regained his financial independence, and found an emotional support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one. For years, United Way of Forsyth County has been helping people like Frank achieve financial stability, connecting them to the partner agencies and funded programs that provide housing, education, and services to transform their lives with dignity and purpose.

United Way is not a short-term investment — it is about lasting change. The complexity of Frank’s situation could have caused him to give up, but thanks to your support, he had a reason not to.

victoria’s Story

Every nine seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten. Last year more than 1,000 individuals in our community reached out for help. Women like Victoria, a married mother of four children whose life was in danger. 

Victoria was able to flee from her abusive situation but without any housing, basic needs, or family support she needed help to get back on her feet. She found temporary housing through the Experiment in Self Reliance and was connected to the community intake center, programs that are a part of the United Way of Forsyth County’s Housing Matters initiative.

Through coordinated assessment, she received rapid rehousing that assisted her with her security deposit, utilities, and a permanent supportive housing voucher to assist her with her rent. With no possessions, she was referred to greeNest, a program in our Continuum of Care of homeless services, to furnish her home. Family Services provided her with the necessary emotional support and therapy to address her trauma and knowing that children are impacted by domestic violence, Victoria was also referred to the YWCA’s Best Choice Center for after school tutoring and programming. She was assigned a case manager at Bethesda Center for permanent supportive housing services.

Today, Victoria hopes to enroll in a peer support specialist program, an initiative supported by United Way and Reynolds American, Inc. which provides skill-building and job training that will result in future job opportunities. The wraparound care that Victoria received exemplifies our mission of bringing the community and its resources together to solve problems no one organization can address alone.

mary’s Story

Mary, a 72 year old wife, mother, and 10 year breast cancer survivor came to Cancer Services soon after celebrating her 10 year “cancerversary,” she started a cough, and it was discovered that her cancer had come back in her lungs. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Her doctor prescribed a pill form of chemotherapy and she wouldn’t have to have long treatments at the hospital. However, the copay for her medication was going to cost $2,634 per month, with insurance. In addition to their own living expenses, this client and her husband are also financially responsible for a disabled child. She reflected that, “If I don’t get help paying for this, I’m not going to be able to take the medication.” Not taking the medication would mean her cancer would continue to grow.

The Cancer Services Patient Advocate Team knew of an assistance fund that Mary could apply for, and offered to fill out the paperwork for her. In addition, while they waited for a decision from the drug company, the Advocate secured a 1 month free trial. Mary was informed a few weeks later that her application was approved and she would be able to get the medication at no charge through the end of the year, which is valued at $33,567! Mary was so grateful for the financial assistance, but also to know that she’s not alone in trying to figure out how to handle these challenges. The peace of mind that she has knowing there is an Advocate ready to help her when it’s time to re-apply is
priceless.

Because of supporters like you, individuals like Mary can have options that are life-saving. Through the collaboration of the United Way and Cancer Services, Mary has a chance at beating cancer.

noelle’s Story

Sometimes all anyone needs is a second chance to change the quality of their life. This was true for Noelle.

Before coming to The Enrichment Center, a United Way funded agency, Noelle had been living in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities since the age of 18 after being paralyzed from an allergic reaction to the medication. In 2011, she became a student at The Enrichment Center.

There, Noelle learned to design and make pottery, jewelry, fused glass and has discovered her knack for writing and singing. Noelle helps at the end of the day by greeting guests and letting students know when their ride home has arrived. Recently, Noelle has started reading to preschoolers at The Special Children’s School. “It’s like I get payment in my heart.” Before coming to The Enrichment Center, Noelle struggled with feeling depressed and unimportant. “Now, I feel very good about life. I am fulfilled and happy, and I am able to give back to my community.”