The United Way Housing Initiative (UWHI) has been a United Way of Washington County agency for over 20 years with an all-volunteer workforce joining together to provide a better quality of life for community members.
“The United Way Housing Initiative has one mission which is providing minor exterior repairs, painting, and general refurbishment to homes owned by low-income and/or disabled senior citizens. This project is performed by volunteers from various businesses, civic clubs, faith-based organizations, and non-profit organizations. We are extremely fortunate to live in a community where people believe in giving back to one another,” said Nathan Benzing, Executive Director, United Way of Washington County.
Each year, organizations come together to select and repair homes to make the house safer, more efficient, and aesthetically pleasing for the homeowner. Teams may include but not limited to: Greenville Fire Department, 100 Black Men, Intervention Court, First Presbyterian Church, Gerald Andrus Plant, City of Metcalfe, The Fuller House, MDRS, and the TROP Casino.
“I have been volunteering for the United Way Housing Initiative and United Way of Washington County for over 30 years and find it extremely rewarding. Working on the United Way Housing Initiative project along with the other members of the 100 Black Men continues to be something I am very proud and thrilled to do. We work on senior citizen houses to enhance their appearance and bring them joy which cannot be put into words. Also, during the colder season, knowing you have assisted a homeowner in keeping them warm and dry due to working on their house makes all of us feel good too. I also am honored to work with volunteers across Washington County to improve the quality of life of others,” said Carl McGee, President of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, and a member of the 100 Black Men.
Benzing adds, “We are grateful for The King’s Daughters and Sons Circle Number Two for awarding the UWHI with a grant that allows funding for this project. I also want to thank donors through the annual United Way of Washington County campaign. Your donations and support are vital to the success of this project.”
The United Way Housing Initiative is currently accepting applications from limited-income residents who live in Washington County to have minor exterior repairs completed on their homes in the late spring or early summer of 2024. Highest priority will be given to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older and to those with physical handicaps. Qualifying applicants should have at least two family members and/or friends willing to help United Way volunteers with the repairs on their homes. The United Way Housing Initiative application can be found online at https://www.unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.com/uwhi.html. If you need more assistance with obtaining an application, call 662.332.5371.
The deadline to submit applications January 5, 2024. Once your application is submitted, no additional contact is needed. The United Way Housing Initiative committee will contact applicants that have been selected for the 2024 workday.
The United Way of Washington County annual campaign is in process. The United Way of Washington County agencies: American Red Cross Northwest Chapter, Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, Community Counseling Center, Delta Health System-The Medical Center Medication Assistance Program, Delta Kidney Foundation, Girl Scouts Heart of America, Greenville Renaissance Scholars, Hodding Carter Memorial YMCA, Mississippi Delta and Nature Learning Center, The Fuller Center, and United Way Housing Initiative.
If you would like to donate to the United Way of Washington County Campaign, you can contact Nathan Benzing at 662.332.5371 or mail a donation to PO Box 115, Greenville, MS 38702. You can also visit www.unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.com, or Facebook.
