United Way column: We’re in this together

Now is the time to come together. Because 2020 has been a year unlike any other, and we have experienced loss and isolation from the pandemic. Because so many more people in our region are struggling now. Because we still believe in the power of community.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, our community was facing challenges. Affordable housing is in extremely short supply, and too many hardworking families cannot afford a safe, stable place to live. 

Too many parents are not able to provide for their family’s basic needs. And too many people are struggling with poor health. These challenges existed before the pandemic and are now even more pronounced.

A report published by Western Carolina University in September, showed the year to date average for the unemployment rate of our MSA (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties) increased 5 percent, from 3.3 to 8.3 percent. As of October 2020, there are 21,000 less jobs in our region compared to October 2019. 

In Henderson County, our unemployment rate has jumped to 6.1 percent, up from 3.3 percent just a year ago and pre-pandemic.  

As individuals and as organizations, collaboration is more important than ever. It is not cliché to say that we are in this together because we are.

Recently, our United Way collaborated with Dogwood Health Trust to ensure that we could address urgent needs while continuing to fund essential programs as we strive to improve the lives of those who are struggling in Henderson County. 

Dogwood Health Trust’s support demonstrated its commitment to partner on mutually aligned priorities and will fund education, domestic violence, and housing support services. Our shared aim is a thriving community – and it will take all of us to get there.

There is no better time than right now to leverage our giving as individuals to have a broad and significant impact on the whole community. The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Coronavirus Response Survey found that 56 percent of charitable organizations in the U.S. expect to raise less money in 2020 than they did in 2019. 

A staggering 72 percent expect to raise less in 2021. Let’s come together as a community to make sure that does not happen here. Through our collective giving – big or small – we will ensure that next year and beyond is a bit brighter for our community.

Denise Cumbee Long is the executive director of United Way of Henderson County.  United Way’s mission is to organize and mobilize community resources to improve lives of Henderson County residents.