Through United Way, you can change everything for your neighbors right here in Pickens County.
Community impact is at the heart of everything we do. It starts with identifying the needs of our neighbors and the resources available to meet those needs. Your support of United Way of Pickens County is an investment in programs and initiatives that work to improve 3rd Grade Reading and Financial Stability in your community.
When we come together around a common agenda – with shared goals, strategies, data, and guiding principles – we are capable of achieving real and lasting community impact.
There’s no better time than right now to join United Way of Pickens County and make a difference. Give or get involved today.
IMPACT AREAS
EDUCATION
Education is a cornerstone of individual and community success. It is essential to getting and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits, and it is fundamental to a community’s economic prosperity: a well-educated workforce attracts world-class jobs.
United Way of Pickens County seeks to help children and youth achieve their potential through education and has established a bold goal that 70% of Pickens County 3rd graders will be reading on grade level by 2028.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Many people struggle to get by, even working multiple jobs. Family-sustaining income is the key to paying the rent, putting food on the table, and affording childcare and transportation. It is also the springboard to longer term asset building strategies such as saving to buy a home, sending kids to college, and saving for retirement.
United Way of Pickens County partners with the local community to develop resources and opportunities to help individuals and families become financially stable and independent.
MENTAL WELL-BEING
Everyone has mental health, but stigma and misinformation often prevent children from accessing the support they need to thrive.
United Way of Pickens County is working to change this by laying the foundation for healthy development, learning, and long-term well-being. Through our Mental Well-Being initiatives, children are better able to focus in school, build resilience, strengthen relationships, develop confidence, and reduce their risk of depression, anxiety, substance use, and stress-related health issues later in life.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Our work in community resilience focuses on helping individuals facing crises—whether it’s struggling to pay rent, buy food, or recover from a natural disaster. We partner with local organizations to build a more connected, supportive, and resilient community, mobilizing volunteers and strengthening a long-term recovery network that can respond quickly and effectively when challenges arise. United We Prepare ensures our neighbors have the support they need to withstand hardship and bounce back stronger.
PROGRAMS
CAMP iROCK
More than half of Pickens County 3rd graders are not reading on grade level. Camp iRock is a partnership between United Way, the School District of Pickens County, the YMCA and the Call Me MiSTER program which provides struggling students with a summer reading and enrichment program to address these reading deficiencies, and help students read on grade level.
PRESCHOOL PAGES
Women United's signature program, Preschool Pages, provides early literacy experiences for young children and their caregivers to help more preschoolers become kindergarten-ready. Local elementary schools provide high quality programs, and Women United provides books for children to take home from these programs and form their own age-appropriate home libraries.
FREE FILE
This volunteer driven free tax preparation program helps low to moderate income Pickens County individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned money. Sponsored by the IRS, Free File is available to anyone with a household income of $60,000 or less, but the average household income of our tax clients is $20,000, making this free service even more valuable.
BORN LEARNING
Everyday moments can be learning opportunities for children. Born Learning helps parents and caregivers maximize these learning experiences. Born Learning Trails are interactive, walkable trails located throughout Pickens County which feature fun outdoor games designed to boost children’s language and literacy skills while helping families get active together.
2-1-1 RESOURCE LINE
2-1-1 is a non-emergency resource line which provides 24/7 assistance to connect our most vulnerable neighbors with resources like housing, utility assistance, food, transportation and more. With 2-1-1, help is just a call, click or text away.
LANTERN
Lantern is a free texting service for parents and caregivers of young children prenatal to 8 years old. Powered by Pickens County First Steps, Lantern sends 2 to 4 free text messages per week with bonding activities, games to boost brain development, social-emotional development tips, and more, all tailored to your child's age and location. Available in English and Spanish, the service includes resources available right here in Pickens County.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
The volunteer driven Impact Councils review grant requests and fund high-quality programs that advance United Way’s mission. These volunteers work year-round to assess community needs, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions that support United Way’s bold goals for improving Pickens County. Each Council focuses strategically on priority issues to ensure meaningful, measurable outcomes.