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About Us

Who We Are

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Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT WE DO

United Way of the Pine Belt Region is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 Mississippi charitable organization with 23 Partner Agencies in the five-county area it serves. The primary duty of the organization is to raise funds for those agencies. Our Partner Agencies are:

  • The ARC of the Pine Belt Region: For People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • Domestic Abuse Family Shelter
  • Good Shepherd Medical & Dental Clinic
  • The Samaritan’s Closet and Pantry
  • The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention
  • 4-H Advisory Councils- Covington, Jones, Smith
  • Boys and Girls Club of Covington County
  • The Glory House
  • Wayne County Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers
  • The Children’s Center for Communication and Development- USM
  • The Dubard School for Language Disorders- USM
  • The Salvation Army- Laurel

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Understanding the diverse makeup of our community, it is our sincere desire to serve all those in need. United Way of the Pine Belt Region will not discriminate against anyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. We recognize the structural racism, ethnic discrimination and other forms of oppression have contributed to racial disparities that have existed in the past and persist in the present. We acknowledge those inequities are the result of policies and practices that work to marginalize entire populations of people. Let it be made clear that through this adopted policy, United Way of the Pine Belt Region seeks to maximize our external and internal contributions. We shall do this by valuing, utilizing and recognizing everyone’s unique potential in order to more fully achieve the goal of building a safer and stronger community.  We unequivocally denounce racism/ethnic discrimination because it undermines the well-being and vitality of our communities. Our United Way Network seeks to dismantle disparities and strives to engage residents and community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized, in the shared work of fortifying equity and empowerment. We work with public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive. Throughout this process, it is our desire to have dedicated and passionate volunteers from all segments of our community. We commit to leveraging all of our assets (e.g., convening, strategic investments, awareness building, advocacy) to create more equitable communities.

HOW WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE

Each year, United Way of the Pine Belt Region’s Partner Agencies are reviewed by the Fund Distribution Committee and Citizens’ Review Panel. This is a group of 25-30 local citizens who volunteer to review the Partner Agencies in order to ensure the organizations are functioning in the best interest of those they serve. The volunteers visit the Agencies and conduct interviews to determine that the funds they receive from your local United Way are invested properly within the community.

HOW WE DIVIDE FUNDS

The Fund Distribution Committee members consider the funds pledged to United Way of the Pine Belt Region for each campaign year and make the annual recommendations to the Board of Directors based on the Agencies’ needs and other funding received by each individual agency.

BECOME A PARTNER AGENCY

There is a two-year process in order to become a Partner Agency with UWPBR. An agency must apply for a Venture Grant for two consecutive years. Each application will be reviewed by the Fund Distribution Committee. If the committee approves the application, it is presented to the Executive Committee for approval of funds, depending on the availability of Venture Grant funds. If the applying agency is approved for funds, it must apply a second time the next year in order to fulfill the consecutive application process. Once two consecutive Venture Grants have been secured, the agency may then apply for Agency status.

 

Click here to become a partner!

WHERE CONTRIBUTIONS GO

Of the money United Way raises, 98% stays within the local communities served by United Way of the Pine Belt Region. This covers administrative costs and the annual allocations paid to the 14 partner agencies. Only two percent is used annually to pay United Way Worldwide membership dues. Therefore, your donations to United Way of the Pine Belt Region are working within the five counties and help support the Partner Agencies which provide services in those counties.

United Way of the Pine Belt Region’s mission is “…to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another.”

Board of Directors

2024 Board of Directors
Alecia Bigler South Central Regional Medical Center
Allison Temple Perry County School Disricts
Amy Stringfellow Ray Trustmark National Bank
Ann Buchanan Retired--Civic Leader / Screenwriter
Andrew Ousley SouthGroup Ins. Ser.
Billy Taylor SouthGroup Ins. Services
Brittany Carter Nurse Practitioner
Bruce Lentz Retired--Civic Leader
Dale Wood Retired--Civic Leader
Danita Horne Civic Leader
Darnell Moffett Southern Pine Electric
Dr. Amanda Cooley Unlimited Dreams Learning Center
Dr. Daniel Hathorne Laurel First Methodist
George Bassi Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
Jackie Thigpen Retired--Civic Leader
Jameson Buckley Magnolia State Bank
Jennifer McDonald Dunn Roadbuilders
Joe Miller The First Bank
Jonathan Strickler FBC Sharon
Kayla Jefcoat South Central Regional Medical Center
Lew Yoder Sumrall, Yoder, et al
Lowell Howell First State Bank
Malik Davis Laurel Housing Authority
Mark Waller First State Bank
Michael McGee First Baptist Church Stringer
Michael McKinnon MMA
Missy Sanderson Retired--Civic Leader
Randy Smith Dixie EPA
Russ Griffin Cadence Bank
Sylvia Clark Hunt Southland Refining
Tim Dudley Retired--Civic Leader
Trey Bryant Cadence Bank
Jake White Mississippi Power
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