2024-2025 Annual Report

United for Impact

Since 1950, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley has been at the heart of regional collaboration and meaningful progress. For 75 years, we have united donors, volunteers, businesses, and nonprofits to improve lives, strengthen families, and build a thriving region where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Explore this report to see the impact of your generosity, hear the stories of lives transformed, and learn how you can continue to be part of the movement. Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission.

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A Bold Vision

In the Chattahoochee Valley, more than half of our residents struggle to afford basic necessities. Many are working hard yet still forced to make impossible choices between rent and groceries, medical care, and childcare. These households, known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), are the backbone of our workforce, yet they remain one emergency away from crisis.

At United Way, we are committed to closing this gap. Our goal is ambitious: to reduce poverty in our region by 50% over the next decade. We are determined to make a difference and take bold steps to create positive change.

As a trusted organization with the capacity to drive change, the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley integrates poverty reduction in all partnerships and strategies and is the go-to resource to address critical community needs.

Letter From Ben
Our Impact

Interactive Dashboard
Community Investment

Healthy Community
Youth Opportunity

Financial Security
Community Resiliency

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Financials

Letter from Ben Moser

Here at United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, we are committed to building a community of opportunity where everyone has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. As CEO, I am proud to reflect on our longstanding history of service and partnership in the community. For years, we have been a leader in advocating for our region to pioneer transformative pathways to positive change. We have worked together with community leaders and partner agencies to create lasting impact. We remain determined to make a difference, taking bold steps to ensure that more individuals and families have the opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential. With unwavering determination, we will continue to lead the charge in creating lasting, positive change for generations to come.

Ben Moser
President and CEO
United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley

Ben Moser, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley

Our Impact

We have aligned our work around four key impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Stability, and Community Resiliency. These focus areas reflect a holistic approach to building strong, thriving communities by addressing the root causes of poverty and expanding opportunities for all. We use data-driven strategies and community partnerships to assess needs, track progress, and drive meaningful results.

Locally Led, Community Powered

United Way is proud of our community-led process, ensuring that all funds raised remain within the Chattahoochee Valley. Through Community Investment Grants, we support a network of partners who work together to ensure that help is available, accessible, and responsive to emerging needs. This process is driven by volunteers who review applications, conduct site visits, and strategically allocate resources to the organizations making the greatest impact.

In the past year, these grants have helped children and youth succeed, provided food, shelter, and safety, increased access to physical and mental health care, and changed lives across our community. United Way is uniquely positioned to lead this effort, driving transformational change through engaged supporters, innovative solutions, and investments that make a measurable difference.

invested into our community partners since 2003

grants awarded to community partners

connections to resources provided to our community over the past year

Smiling woman in blazer holds coffee cup and book, exuding confidence and warmth.

Breaking Barriers to Financial Security

Teresa’s Story

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley funds 26 local nonprofit partners through our Community Investment Grants, including Circles in Columbus, a program of Open Door Community House that empowers individuals break the cycle of poverty and build long-term financial security.

Teresa, a Circles participant, faced a daunting financial burden. She had $64,000 in student loan debt from a school that lost its accreditation. Without the right support, the path to financial stability felt impossible. Through Circles, funded by United Way, Teresa received the coaching and encouragement she needed to navigate the loan forgiveness process. With determination and guidance from her Circles coach, she completed the paperwork and eliminated her debt.

Now, Teresa is moving forward without the weight of financial hardship holding her back. Her success is proof of what happens when our community comes together to remove barriers and create new opportunities for a brighter future.

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By the Numbers

Healthy Community

Staff/volunteers trained to provide trauma-informed services

Individuals served with access to healthcare insurance

Individuals served with a primary physician

Working alongside our network of community partners, we are breaking down barriers to good health by expanding access to nutritious food, quality healthcare, and critical support services. From preventative and trauma-informed care to mental health resources and substance use recovery, we are ensuring individuals and families have the tools they need to lead healthier lives.

A healthier community means stronger families, better educational outcomes, and greater economic stability. Through 211 and our dedicated partners, we are connecting people to essential services and compassionate support when they need it most.

With the commitment of our community, United Way and our partners are building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in good health.

Lisa’s Fresh Start

Lisa’s journey with MercyMed of Columbus is a powerful example of how access to nutrition and education can transform lives. Faced with serious health challenges including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, Lisa struggled to manage her conditions without the tools or resources she needed. With guidance from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Lisa learned how to read food labels, build balanced meals, and understand how nutrition impacts her health. More importantly, she was connected to food pantries, a discounted farmer’s market, and the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) program, giving her access to fresh, healthy foods every week.

Today, Lisa’s health has improved dramatically. Her blood pressure has dropped to safer levels, she’s lost over 40 pounds, and her BMI has significantly decreased. This life-changing progress speaks to the impact of community partnerships and targeted support. MercyMed’s commitment to addressing food insecurity as a root cause of poor health is making a difference for people like Lisa, empowering them to take control of their well-being and their futures. United Way is proud to support partners like MercyMed, who are not only improving individual health but also building stronger, healthier communities.

To protect the privacy of clients, the image provided is for illustrative purposes only and is not associated with the individuals in this story.

Youth Opportunity

Meals provided to children

Hours of care provided

Number of children served

Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. At United Way, we are committed to ensuring that all children and youth, regardless of their background, have access to the tools and support they need to reach their full potential. From early childhood education to college and career readiness, we break down barriers to success by expanding access to high-quality learning environments, enrichment programs, and family engagement initiatives that foster lifelong achievement.

Through initiatives like The Basics Chattahoochee Valley, Community Schools United, and youth workforce preparation programs, we are investing in the success of our youth. By supporting early brain development, transforming schools into community hubs, and equipping students with skills for future careers, we are creating pathways for children and young adults to succeed both in and beyond the classroom.

Together, with our partners and the generosity of our community, we are driving real change in youth opportunity. When we invest in the success of our youth, we invest in the future of the Chattahoochee Valley, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.

Cultivating Confidence Through Scouting

In the Chattahoochee Valley, many children face barriers to success due to poverty and limited access to resources. The Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America, in partnership with the Columbus YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Phenix City Housing Authority, is helping to close that gap. Their after-school programs provide a safe, supportive environment where youth can explore STEM, engineering, leadership, and life skills. These hands-on experiences help students build confidence, stay engaged, and develop a strong foundation for the future.

Each week, participants take part in activities like making slime, racing pinewood derby cars, and creating their own Meeting Code of Conduct. These moments of creativity and collaboration encourage personal growth and responsibility. This initiative aligns with our Youth Opportunity impact area by expanding access to quality enrichment programs, fostering positive development, and helping young people thrive. Through partnerships like this, we are building a stronger, more resilient community — one child at a time.

Financial Security

Individuals received housing services

Accessed financial services (tax prep, savings acct, public benefits)

Adults received job skills training

At United Way, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a secure and stable future. We empower individuals and families by expanding access to educational resources, financial guidance, job training, and employment opportunities that lay the foundation for long-term stability. In addition to these tools for success, we focus on helping individuals overcome barriers to stable housing, providing both immediate support and long-term solutions to achieve financial security. By investing in hardworking families, we are building resilience and creating a stronger, more prosperous future for generations to come.

Through programs like Home for Good and Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), United Way and our partners are addressing the root causes of housing instability. These initiatives focus on providing sustainable housing solutions, ensuring individuals not only secure a home but also gain access to mental health services, financial education, and long-term support to help them maintain housing and build a stable future.

Additionally, we are helping individuals acquire the skills needed for in-demand careers, preparing a skilled workforce for high-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing. By combining stable housing with workforce training and career opportunities, we are driving economic mobility and strengthening our local economy.

Your support makes a lasting impact. By investing in housing stability, job readiness, and financial empowerment, we are creating pathways that help lift people out of poverty and build a more secure future for our entire community.

Smiling mother and daughter sharing a warm embrace in a cozy home setting.

One Mom’s Journey to Financial Freedom

Kristen, a single mother in Columbus, was working full-time but still living below the poverty line. She struggled with low wages, poor credit, unreliable transportation, and a criminal record. Despite her determination, financial independence seemed out of reach. That changed when she joined the Circles in Columbus program at Open Door Community House, supported by United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley through Community Investment grants. With personalized coaching and mentorship, Kristen took control of her finances, improved her credit, advocated for a raise, and purchased a reliable vehicle.

Kristen’s transformation is a powerful example of the impact United Way’s Financial Security focus area has on individuals and families. She saved $5,000, reduced her debt, had her record expunged, and became a leader in her community. Her progress inspired her daughter, who is now excelling academically and planning for college. By supporting partners like Open Door, United Way helps people remove barriers, build stability, and create generational change — proving that financial security is possible with the right tools and support.

To protect the privacy of clients, the image provided is for illustrative purposes only and is not associated with the individuals in this story.

Community Resiliency

Received emergency assistance

At United Way, we are committed to building a resilient community where everyone has the support they need to overcome life’s challenges. Through partnerships and direct services, we strengthen access to essential health, education, and financial resources, ensuring no one faces their struggles alone. By creating connections and providing critical services, we help individuals and families navigate obstacles, contributing to a stronger, more vibrant Chattahoochee Valley.

Resilient Chattahoochee Valley (RCV) is a key initiative focused on improving outcomes for children 0-16 by aligning collective efforts to support trauma-informed care. By addressing the unique needs of children and families, RCV helps build resilience and provides a foundation of support for future growth and success.

211 serves as a vital lifeline in times of crisis, offering free and confidential access to health and human services, such as emergency housing assistance, food resources, and mental health support. By dialing 211 or texting a zip code to 898-211, individuals can quickly connect to the resources they need in times of urgent need.

Through programs like Home for Good and PATH, we address emergency housing needs and help individuals transition from homelessness to stable housing, offering immediate relief and critical wraparound services. Your support enables United Way and our partners to create a more connected and resilient community for all.

Senior woman in a cozy sweater holding a cup, relaxing by a window on a winter day.

Turning Crisis into Recovery

When Mae lost her housing after the property was sold, she had nowhere stable to go. Living with HIV and a disability following a stroke, Mae struggled to find a landlord who would accept her application on a fixed Social Security income. She became homeless, moving between hotels and her child’s overcrowded home. Her situation grew even more urgent after she suffered a second stroke while unhoused.

That’s when United Way partner Southwest Georgia Housing Opportunities stepped in. With support from United Way’s Community Investment Grants, SWGAHO helped Mae find an affordable, accessible home and secure a subsidized rent agreement. They also provided case management to support Mae’s recovery, helping her regain stability and explore part-time work to increase her income.

Mae’s story reflects United Way’s commitment to building community resiliency and addressing urgent needs today to build a better tomorrow. Safe, stable housing allowed Mae to focus on her health, regain independence, and rebuild her future with confidence. With continued investment in local partners like SWGAHO, United Way helps individuals through life’s challenges and move toward lasting stability.

To protect the privacy of clients, a fictitious name and stock photo have been used in this article. All personal details have been modified to ensure confidentiality.

Help Create Change

At United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, we believe that every individual has the power to make a difference. Whether it’s through volunteering your time, sharing your talents, or contributing financially, your support helps create lasting change in our community.

Join us in making a difference.

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The Power of United Action

We cannot do this work alone. Transformational change requires engaged supporters, innovative solutions, and diversified investments in programs that make a measurable difference.

Now is the time to build momentum, deepen our impact, and invest in the success of every member of our community.