United Way: Making a difference one call at a time

PLATTSBURGH | After years of worsening pain, Ali Hurst woke up in tears one morning and knew her health and outlook needed to change. The pain consumed her daily life and that day, the fear of medical procedures and the daunting expenses no longer outweighed the realization that she needed help. A PATH TO POSITIVE HEALTH After a year's worth of prolonged medical care, the pain was eventually quelled and brought Hurst a newfound lease on life, but the harsh reality of continued care and mounting expenses eventually forced her to choose between paying medical bills and putting food on the table. When her employers at Community Bank in Plattsburgh learned of her struggles, the United Way's newest board member Monticia Prather knew the difference one phone call could make. And as is true with every call to the United Way of the Adirondack Region, staff quickly sprang into action and connected Hurst with resources to help ease the mounting daily burdens. Through its ALICE-Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed- program, Hurst found financial and emotional support that continues to guide her on her path to success today and a program that brought her to tears May 7 as she shared her story with 150 guests at the Annual United Way Recognition Dinner at The Adirondack Room in Plattsburgh. It's because of those guests, dedicated board members and passionate teams at the United Way's 38 partner agencies in the tri-county area, that they are able to continue being a backbone of the community and for those in need. MAKING A DIFFERENCE "Together, collectively, we are able to make an incredible difference," United Way of the Adirondack Region President and CEO John Bernardi said as he applauded all involved and called the community partnerships 'a tremendous blessing'. Creating and sustaining those overlapping partnerships have not only helped to strengthen the agency's day-to-day responses, but when the pandemic hit, the organization never halted a day, rising above the challenges to serve more than 80,000 local residents last year alone. At times facing an 80-percent increase in calls for food, child care, transportation and housing assistance, the United Way, its staff, volunteers, board and partners never shied from the growing needs of the community. Its 2022 fundraising campaign raised an impressive $680,000 to support the many ongoing efforts. Bernardi called the local support network 'critically important' and said "It's what we do with that money that really makes a difference." The locally hailed ALICE program, he said, has helped shine a light on regional poverty and its impacts while helping to create new strategies to combat the issues, serving as a model for other agencies across the state and nation. ALICE represents the growing number of local households that fall above the Federal Poverty level but struggle with day-to-day expenses and unexpected challenges. In Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, roughly four out of every 10 people fall below the ALICE threshold- representing 65,900 households struggling to get by. The agency's dedicated 2-1-1 telephone directory also helps residents across Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties connect to needed resources, such as transportation assistance, senior citizens resources, mental-health services and more. "And without our donors and our sponsors, we wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be able to do all we do for the North Country," United Way Board of Directors Chair Chris Mazzella said. DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD While many of the agency's partners and volunteers exemplify the meaning of community and service, Hannah Provost, partner of Lomanto and Provost Financial Advisors, was honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award to rounds of applause and standing ovations. "She's remarkable in so many ways…and anytime there's a need, she's there," Bernardi said. Crediting her mother and husband, Brad, for the values and inspiration to selflessly serve others, the local foster mom, volunteer and United Way board member said she "didn't really know what community or home truly meant until we came here" as she applauded the North Country's unwavering efforts to help neighbors and families in need. Assemblyman Billy Jones, who also serves on the United Way's board, presented Provost with an Assembly citation honoring her service and also commended the agency's continued efforts, saying "When there's a time of need, we can count on one another and we can count on United Way." "Knowing that the United Way is here, just a phone call away, for us, our family and our neighbors gives us all peace, and we can all take solace and pride in that." To learn more about United Way of the Adirondack Region, how to donate or about their June 14 fundraising golf tournament at the Lake Placid Golf Club, visit https://unitedwayadk.org.

Signup for our newsletter

United Way: Making a difference one call at a time

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS