funded partners
joining forces to improve lives in wayne county
The Agencies and their Funded Programs listed below are the heart and soul of United Way. Each agency is carefully vetted to ensure the programs supported align with one of our four focus areas of health & wellness, financial stability, basic needs, and education. These resources are vital to the success of our mission and to improving lives in our community.
Do you recognize any of our Funded Partners? What about their United Way-supported programs?
american red cross
single family fires program
Victims of single family fires are provided emergency assistance, food, short-term shelter and referral
services through the Single Family Fires program of The American Red Cross.
armed forces emergency assistance program
The American Red Cross, facilitates Armed Forces Emergency Services that communicate between
service members and their families in times of medical emergencies, death and financial hardship.
boys & girls club
Money Matters
Money Matters, launched in 2025, helps Wayne County teens ages 13 to 18 gain financial confidence and real-world money management skills. Through interactive lessons and activities, they learn to budget, save, and plan ahead. The program builds on Project Lean and Power Hour, which serve youth starting at age 6, creating a strong foundation for lifelong stability and success.
Smart Moves
Children participated in Smart Moves program where they learned about the consequences of adolescent sexual activity and improved their self-esteem and decision making skills in order to avoid unsafe behaviors.
communities supporting schools
CSS Reading buddy program
The CSS Reading Buddy Program serves students in four of our elementary schools: Brogden Primary, Carver Elementary, Carver Heights Elementary, and North Drive Elementary. These programs are volunteer based at each school, with the CSS Success Coach at that school coordinating the program. Volunteers agree to serve one student for thirty minutes weekly. The purpose of this program is to develop a love of reading and also to build positive relationships with students. This program provides additional reinforcement for students who need that “extra layer of support” and to encourage them to have fun with reading.
habitat for humanity
A brush with kindness: A Roof Above
Habitat for Humanity’s Brush with Kindness, a home repair program where they help facilitate minor interior and exterior home repairs for low and moderate income homes across Wayne County.
literacy connections
adult and family literacy program
The Adult and Family Literacy program is dedicated to developing skills in reading, math, and computers for adult learners and their families, in order that they may achieve success at home, at work, and in the community.
bank on wayne
Financial literacy is provided through the Bank on Wayne program that provides instruction in budgeting, banking, and managing credit. Bank on Wayne encourages participants to operate within the financial mainstream and avoid costly alternative financial services.
partnership for children
triple p positive parenting program
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is backed by hundreds of trials and studies, and gives you proven parenting strategies to make life easier and calmer at home, and help your kids grow up to be happy, confident and successful. Thousands of American families are seeing the benefits of doing Triple P Online, or Teen Triple P Online.
rones chapel area community center
tutor to the top
Some students require more intensive and individualized instruction to learn some skills and material. In Tutor to the Top, one-on-one help is proven to be most effective. Each child is matched with a tutor who will stay with him/her throughout instruction. All tutors are experienced educators in Wayne and Duplin Counties with full background checks. Sessions are always conducted with a minimum of two adults present at all times.
society of st. vincent de paul
community partnership program
The primary goal of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's (SVDP) financial assistance program is to provide relief from a short term financial crisis by paying a household bill such as for rent or utilities. A secondary goal is to recommend strategies and provide information that may help those we assist to become more financially self-sufficient. The household budget is reviewed, and when applicable, suggestions are offered to reduce expenses or occasionally increase income. Information is provided about other sources of assistance in Wayne County for which they may qualify.
tommy's foundation
tommy's restoration program
Tommy's Restoration Program exists to restore stability, dignity, and hope for unhoused children, single mothers with children, and individuals in recovery. The primary goal is to provide immediate relief through safe housing, essential needs, and support services, while also creating pathways to long-term independence. Service include housing assistance, mentorship, counseling, recovery sponsorship, and access to community resources.
wages
foster grandparent program
The WAGES Foster Grandparent Program connects compassionate adults age 55 and older with children who have exceptional or special needs. Our volunteers provide one-on-one mentoring, academic assistance, and social-emotional support in classrooms across Wayne County.
Partnering with Early Head Start, Head Start, NC Pre-K, elementary schools, and community organizations, Foster Grandparents serve approximately 20 hours per week, building consistent, supportive relationships with the children they assist. By collaborating with teachers, volunteers meet children where they are developmentally and emotionally while supporting growth across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains.
Foster Grandparents receive ongoing training to promote intentional learning strategies and ensure they are equipped to support optimal growth and development.
meals on wheels-nutrition for the elderly
The WAGES Senior Nutrition Program provides nutritious meals and supportive services to older adults throughout Wayne County, helping them maintain independence, dignity, and overall well-being. The program offers both congregate and home-delivered meal options to ensure seniors have consistent access to healthy food in a welcoming and supportive environment. Meals are planned to meet the dietary guidelines for older adults and to support overall health, while also creating opportunities for social connection and engagement within the community.
self-sufficiency program
The WAGES Self-Sufficiency Program is dedicated to helping individuals and families break cycles of hardship and build sustainable, independent futures. Through comprehensive workforce development, life skills training, financial literacy education, and individualized support services, WAGES equips participants with the practical tools and confidence needed to secure stable employment and long-term economic stability.
The program addresses barriers to assist individuals with success and fostering personal growth, the program empowers participants to move beyond short-term assistance toward lasting self-sufficiency. WAGES is committed to strengthening families, uplifting the community, and creating clear pathways to opportunity for those ready to transform their lives.
senior companion program
The WAGES Senior Companion Program provides meaningful and challenging volunteer opportunities for seniors age 55 and older.
Senior Companions help adults (primarily older adults) live independently in their own homes and provide respite services to enable caregivers to have some much needed time off. Senior Companions assist with daily tasks such as light meal preparation, light housekeeping, monitoring medications, as well as accompanying clients to the grocery store and doctor’s appointments.
wayne pregnancy center
Pregnancy, birth, and beyond (PB&B)
These classes allow participating parents a better foundation and understanding of the pregnancy, labor, birth, and early stages of infant development. In addition to the prenatal education, PB&B also follows the newborns/families through the first six months to a year after birth with continued contact and resources as needed.
cry freedom missions
Cry Freedom Missions is fighting to eradicate sex trafficking through Reaching, Rescuing, and Restoring the lives of survivors. Once they connect with a survivor, a comprehensive process involving justice for the perpetrators and recovery and rehabilitation for the survivors begins. It is their passion to see this heinous and barbaric injustice abolished in our generation. They long to see every boy, every girl, every woman, and every man enslaved in trafficking to experience FREEDOM!
wayne uplift
domestic violence victim support program
The Domestic Violence Victim Support program provides victims of domestic violence, neglect or sexual assault a safe shelter, emergency services, crisis intervention, food and clothing, safety
planning, emergency cell phones, danger and lethality assessment and if needed, legal as well as financial assistance.