Recently United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County (UWDPC) staff joined 150 colleagues on Capitol Hill as a part of United Way Worldwide Annual Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Day. Cathy Gore, President/CEO and Eben Leigh, Community Engagement Coordinator, met with federal elected officials about pressing issues such as 211/HELP Act, SNAP and the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. The annual Advocacy Forum is a convening of United Way leaders to conduct in person meetings with Members of Congress and their staff about the extensive impact United Way has on their constituents and their local communities.

Through the United Way, communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic mobility, and health resources. Investments in the policies and community supports that these leaders advocated for will further the work of local United Ways in building thriving communities. UWDPC advocate to legislatures for the HELP Act that would support and expand 211 call centers across the nation that responded to an average of 42,000 calls per day, the expansion and protection of SNAP, which about 22,000 people receive in Danville and Pittsylvania County, and for the enhancement of the Child Tax Credit and the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-wage workers.

United Way Worldwide brings people together to build strong, equitable communities where everyone can thrive. As one of the world’s largest privately funded charities, United Ways serves 95 percent of U.S. communities and 37 countries and territories — making life better for 48 million people every year. United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County currently supports 20 local nonprofits serving Danville and Pittsylvania County. Each supported agency addresses an issue within one of UWDPC’s four Areas of Impact: Read, Educate, Get Healthy, and Financially Stable Dan River. Through these supported agencies, UWDPC is making lasting, measurable changes within our community.