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CHRISTIAN’S STORY: A YOUNG LEADER, GROWN WITH SUPPORT
“At first, it was challenging—especially since my mom worked at the Club. I felt like I always had to do more. But over time, this place became like home. The staff saw something in me and helped me become the person I am today.” — Christian, Junior at PHHS and Boys & Girls Club Youth…
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Roanoke is at a topping point – And we all have a role to play.
-By Abby Hamilton, President and CEO, United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the people who make our region stronger—nonprofit leaders, school counselors, health workers, and volunteers who give their time and heart to lift up others. I’ve seen what it takes to keep…
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Men’s Mental Health: 7 Facts You Should Know (and What You Can Do to Help)
When we think about mental health, men often get left out of the conversation. Whether it’s due to stigma, societal expectations, or silent suffering, men are less likely to speak up—and more likely to experience the consequences in silence. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re spotlighting some lesser-known facts about men’s mental health—and offering tips…
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What Are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Why Do They Matter?
What Are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)? When we think about health, many of us picture doctor visits, prescriptions, or hospital stays. But health is about much more than just “being sick” or accessing medical care. So what does SDOH actually mean?Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. More broadly, they…
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Meeting People Where They Are
When someone’s power gets shut off, it’s easy to say, “Just call the utility company.”When a neighbor misses dialysis appointments, the system might not even notice.But Community Health Workers (CHWs) do. CHWs are connectors. They don’t sit behind desks waiting for people to show up — they meet people where they are. They listen. They help navigate…
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The Power of Connection Through CHWs
Sometimes the smallest acts create the most lasting impact. That’s something Lucas, one of United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge’s Community Health Workers (CHWs), knows well. During a routine food box delivery, Lucas visited Ms. Jones, an older adult living alone in Franklin County. As he always does, he asked if there was anything else…
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Who Will Be There When Crisis Strikes?
Lashara, one of our dedicated Community Health Workers (CHWs), received a referral about a mother and her 25-year-old son who had been walking for three months from Myrtle Beach, experiencing homelessness. While passing through Franklin County, tragedy struck—the son was hit by a vehicle and killed. Alone, grieving, and without support, the mother had nowhere to…
