A Vision to Serve the People of Charlotte County
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director - United Way of Charlotte County
Today begins different. Those three words were spoken by me at the Inaugural United at Work Summit last week. Honestly, the anxiety leading up to this moment was carried in my heart for weeks. Saying something is different and acting on it are weighty and filled with promise. A promise of my word. In fact, I was emotional for days because this commitment is important – to me, our staff and our board.
It was a full house at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. When the day arrived, I couldn’t believe the emotions, laughs, and tears that were expressed by the CEO’s, business owners and community leaders who were in attendance.
The morning began with Kay Tracy, United Way of Charlotte County (UWCC) Board Member and Charlotte County Economic Development Business Recruitment Director. Welcoming the crowd, she emphasized what our entire community felt after Hurricane Ian. She had felt the intensity of emotion for businesses heartbroken from the devastation.
The Title Sponsor, Kevin Graham who along with his wife Kim, own Suncoast One Title and Closings, shared how Hurricane Ian shook their business to its very foundation, leading to an unprecedented 80% drop in their business operations. He noted that while the financial devastation was terrifying, it’s the people that truly make Suncoast One Title truly special.
Like many other employers, it became painfully evident that the employees and their extended family were experiencing financial and emotional burdens. Kevin said, “When we were unable to help our own people, a beacon of hope appeared – UWCC’s United at Work program. Their invaluable intervention provided much-needed support to six of our team members.”
Mr. Peter Soderberg of the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation is truly a gift to our community. He and his wife Elsa have stood behind a strong vision of investing in the workforce in Charlotte County and the region. Mr. Soderberg shared his history of raising funds for a local United Way while working at Johnson & Johnson. He very passionately expressed, “None of us who thrive in Charlotte County want to do so on the backs of those who serve us. United at Work focuses on those who earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but can’t afford the basics…the ALICE population.”
Finally, Troy C. Smith, Motivational Coach, is an inspiration and understands that a shift in the workplace needs to happen. Troy shared valuable tips on creating a safe and understanding environment, especially a place where the employees feel heard and valued.
UWCC has a vision for United at Work. Historically as a local United Way, we visit the workplace, asking employees to donate to fix the problems of the community. And yet at the same time, for years UWCC has been writing checks ($1.6 million over this past year) to help those in the workplace who are struggling with their rent mortgage and utilities because they can’t afford their basics. We see both ends of the spectrum and for years we’ve wanted to do something different. Today begins different.
Fred Cort, UWCC Board President shared, “It was an inspiring morning and a great way to launch this transformative stage of United at Work.” The things we build – we can build together. It all comes from investing in people, the people in our community. Stand-by, Charlotte County, this is only the beginning. If you are interested in learning more about United at Work visit unitedwayccfl.org/unitedatwork or email rd@unitedwayccfl.org.
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.