Sweet Dreams Project: How You Can Help Kids Have Sweet Dreams This Holiday Season
The holiday season is just around the corner, and at United Way of the Bluegrass, that means it’s time for the Sweet Dreams Project! For...
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Oct 232 min read
The Power of Volunteering in the Bluegrass
Volunteering is the heart of a thriving community, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Bluegrass. At United Way of the...
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Oct 162 min read
Supporting Emergency Food Needs in Franklin County
At United Way of the Bluegrass, we believe in the power of partnerships to create thriving communities. One of our valued partners, the...
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Sep 182 min read
A Journey of Sound: Patty's Story with The Hearing & Speech Center
Patty's journey with The Hearing & Speech Center (HSC) in Lexington began when she was just an infant. Referred to the center after...
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Sep 112 min read
Empowering Youth at Arbor Youth Services
Arbor Youth Services welcomed an 18-year-old autistic young man who found himself in a challenging situation after being kicked out by...
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Aug 282 min read
Empowering a New Beginning with the Bluegrass Council of the Blind
At 70 years old, a former medical professional faced an unexpected challenge: vision loss. This individual, determined to re-enter the...
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Aug 152 min read
Transforming Lives: A Success Story from the Clark County Homeless Coalition
The Clark County Homeless Coalition recently witnessed a remarkable transformation in the life of a man who had been living in a vacant...
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Aug 142 min read
From Struggle to Advocacy: Nick’s Journey with Simon House
In late 2022, a transformative story began at Simon House in Frankfort, a shelter dedicated to supporting homeless adults. Among the many...
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Aug 72 min read
A Path to Reconnection: How Parenting Classes at The Nest Helped a Young Mother
In an unexpected turn of events, a young mother found herself facing a life-altering situation after a car accident with her 4-year-old...
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Jul 172 min read
Navigating Hope: The Role of a 211 Navigator at United Way of the Bluegrass
A 211 Navigator at United Way of the Bluegrass recently returned a call from Natasha, a dedicated Community Health Worker at the...
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Jul 92 min read
Breaking Barriers: Chris’s Journey to Lexington
Chris's story showcases the importance of community support in times of crisis. After fleeing his home country, Chris was arrested upon...
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Jul 32 min read
Finding Hope: Anna's Journey at the WayPoint Center
After being in the United States for just 15 days, Anna visited the WayPoint Center at Centro de San Juan Diego. She was alone, without...
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Jun 182 min read
Supporting Our LGBTQ Youth: A Story of Connection and Hope During Pride Month
As Pride Month unfolds, United Way of the Bluegrass wants to highlight the importance of support systems for LGBTQ+ youth, especially...
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May 222 min read
From Darkness to Light: Ada's journey at The Gathering Place Mission
When Ada arrived at the doorstep of The Gathering Place Mission, she was at her wit's end. She felt completely hopeless after her husband...
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May 152 min read
Unveiling a Legacy: United Way of the Bluegrass Opens the Marksbury Family WayPoint Center at Historic Palmer Pharmacy
On Monday, May 13th, United Way of the Bluegrass unveiled the new Marksbury Family WayPoint Center at the Historic Palmer Pharmacy. This...
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May 82 min read
Empowering Communities: Importance of WayPoint Centers
In the heart of our Bluegrass communities, WayPoint Centers stand as spaces of hope and support for families or individuals in need....
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May 11 min read
The Lifesaving Role of CASA Through Childhood
At just 8 years old, Ash found himself in the foster care system as a result of education and medical neglect. His journey through the...
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Apr 242 min read
From Despair to the Hope Center: Jenny's Journey of Recovery
In May 2018, Jenny's life seemed to be looking upward. She had just graduated from nursing school, landed a good job, and became a...
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Apr 171 min read
Lenny's Guiding Light at the Amen House
The Amen House has been a shining light for those facing adversity. Lenny, a 51-year-old man struggling with homelessness and Alcohol Use...
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Apr 112 min read
Transforming Tax Season: UWBG VITA Program
Tax season can be daunting, especially for those facing physical or mental barriers. Yet, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)...
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Apr 41 min read
Overcoming Obstacles: A Journey to GED Success with Anderson County's Adult Education Program.
Coming to the United States from Mexico as a child, Barbara faced numerous challenges, including a language barrier and the need to...
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Mar 272 min read
Personalized Support from the Telford YMCA Transforms After-School Journey
At the Telford Community Center YMCA, every child’s happiness and growth are at the forefront of their after-school program. Sophie...
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Mar 202 min read
Blooming Beyond Trauma: Survivors Find Healing in the GreenHouse17 Garden
The following reflection was written by a survivor participating in nature-based healing through the GreenHouse17 farm program. Shortly...
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Mar 131 min read
Empowering Survivors: How VITA Provides Crucial Financial Support for Domestic Violence Survivors
Andrea Miller and Lisa Gabbard operate a small mobile VITA site that targets survivors of Domestic Violence, mostly in underserved and...
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Mar 62 min read
Finding Solace and Community: Mr. Jim's Journey After Loss
The following testimonial was written by a Bluegrass Community Action Partnership staffer. Not long after their 50th wedding anniversary,...
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Dec 5, 20231 min read
View From Our Office: Jamie's Story
The following testimonial was written by UWBG staffer, Angela Crow. The United Way Women United Lace up for Learning program is near and...
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Mar 17, 20234 min read
Shooting for the Stars: UWBG Manager Leaps Between Basketball Court and Community Service
As March Madness tips off, we want to celebrate our own basketball champion, Molly Caldwell.
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Feb 10, 20234 min read
Palmer Pharmacy Building Will Soon House Newest WayPoint Center
United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) is honored to announce that the Marksbury Family Foundation has committed the lead gift for the newest...
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Nov 20, 20222 min read
CELEBRATE A BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY SEASON
Stay on track with your holiday spending with these simple tips and our free holiday budget worksheet.
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Mar 16, 20222 min read
We Will Call Her Tonya
It was 6:45 p.m. when Tonya was calling the WayPoint Center in tears. The voice on the other end spoke softly in the hope of calming her...
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Mar 9, 20222 min read
We Will Call Him Zack
Zack needed help, so a friend brought him to a WayPoint Center looking for a place to start. Upon arrival, the friends were offered...
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Mar 2, 20222 min read
We Will Call Her Ashley
A former client reached out to our West End WayPoint Center in Lexington, asking for help for a friend, Ashley. She explained to our...
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Feb 23, 20222 min read
We Will Call Him Jeff
A friend told Jeff to visit United Way’s West End WayPoint Center and talk to Gerri, because she would help him find a job. That friend...
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Feb 18, 20223 min read
Dr. Eli Capilouto - President of the University of Kentucky
"The partnership between the University of Kentucky and United Way of the Bluegrass is incredibly special because it brings together..."
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Jan 26, 20222 min read
We Will Call Her Jackie
Jackie was seven months pregnant and had no money to buy a crib. That’s why she went to the Black & Williams WayPoint Center. The...
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Jan 19, 20221 min read
We Will Call Him Albert
Albert dreamed about starting his own business. He had the necessary entrepreneurial spirit, but he lacked a good understanding of key...
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Jan 12, 20221 min read
We Will Call Her Jane
Jane fought back the tears until she could no longer. She had found a sympathetic ear – and a passionate advocate – in Gerri Botts Lilly,...
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Jan 10, 20224 min read
Brock Saladin - Chief Commercial Officer at Lexmark and Former UWBG Board Member
“The more people you meet at UWBG, the more you will want to get involved and the more you’ll want to do.”
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Dec 29, 20211 min read
We Will Call Him Bobby
Bobby didn’t know where to start. His sons, ages 1 and 3, had always lived with their mother, Bobby’s former girlfriend, but she had died...
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Dec 17, 20213 min read
Cathy Jennings - Franklin County Board of Trustees Member
“The staff at UWBG has it together. They show up and put 100% towards all the tasks they take on.”
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Nov 16, 20213 min read
Allen Waugerman - Current Lexmark CEO
"The first deed they did 100 years ago now trickles down for probably six or seven generations."
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Nov 9, 20212 min read
Kathy Jaeger - Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, Associate Director of Tax for Dean Dorton
"All of the work and fundraising done by UWBG stays in our local area to help the people in our communities."
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Oct 18, 20215 min read
Jade Miles - Young Leaders Society President, Global OEM Sales Account Manager for Lexmark
"The more you try to learn and get out and volunteer, the more you truly understand exactly what United Way is doing."
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Oct 8, 20214 min read
Mayor Tom Prather - Mayor of Georgetown, Board of Trustees Member and Longtime Supporter
"What we have is the ability to get engaged locally, make a difference locally and in our region through United Way of the Bluegrass."
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Oct 7, 20212 min read
Bill Brown - Employee Campaign Chair at JIF, Sweet Dreams Project Supporter
"It’s incredibly rewarding to help those in the community in need, especially children."
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Oct 1, 20214 min read
Augusta Julian - Retired BCTC President and Former Board Chair from 2014-2015
I’m really pleased that there is an organization like United Way of the Bluegrass here in Central Kentucky. I wish them many years...
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Sep 27, 20213 min read
Chas Sargent - Former YLS President, Current Board of Directors Member
The future is very bright. It is an exciting time for those involved with United Way of the Bluegrass to see how things play out...
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Sep 11, 20212 min read
9-11 Heroes
As the 20th anniversary of September 11th falls upon us, United Way of the Bluegrass encourages you to reflect, spend time...
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Aug 20, 20215 min read
Yajaira Aich West - ECC at PNC; Former Fayette BOT Member; Led Countdown to Kindergarten Initiative
"Our UWBG is helping generations succeed by its investments into impactful programs and organizations." ~Yajaira Aich West
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Aug 5, 20213 min read
Kevin Middleton - President of United Way of Kentucky
"United Way is here to improve lives and strengthen communities." ~Kevin Middleton
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