Shereá Burnett has been working with United Way of Alamance County for 10 years, writing grant applications and volunteering. But for just over a month, she has served as the organization’s president and already has an idea of what the future holds.
“We’ve had the opportunity to partner in a lot of different ways in the last month, and we’re planning some wonderful things for 2026 that I think will be the first time some of those things are done here,” Burnett said.
According to Burnett, United Way of Alamance County is part of a global network focused on ensuring that individuals in all communities thrive. Staff at the nonprofit apply for grants in Alamance County and also distribute grants to partner agencies such as food pantries and shelters.
“We’ve got food deserts, we’ve got a child care crisis happening statewide, we’ve got an affordable housing issue that we’re affected by,” Burnett said.
Burnett said the nonprofit recognizes that not only do those factors affect rural areas, but racial demographics can also play a role.
“We know that what the white community goes through might differ from what the Black community goes through, which might differ from what the Occaneechi go through, which might differ from what our Hispanic community goes through,” Burnett said.
Individuals needing help or direction from United Way can call the statewide database at 211. The call provides resources based on their needs, such as providing the locations of food pantries, caregiver resources and disaster recovery. However, Burnett said if people reach out to the United Way of Alamance County, the organization will refer them to partner agencies because it trusts the services those agencies provide.
“We, in no way, shape or form, want to step in and challenge that or trump that in any type of way,” Burnett said. “What we do is send people to the folks that specialize in those services.”
Burnett said United Way of Alamance County is aware of the statewide child care crisis and is partnering with local organizations, including Graham Recreation and Parks, to work on an after-school program.
According to the Data Book, the majority of 3 and 4-year-olds in North Carolina were not enrolled in any early childhood education programming in 2021. The Data Book also said 16% of children in North Carolina lived in families where someone had to quit, change jobs or turn down employment because of child care issues.
The United Way’s Community Council is a monthly gathering that brings together county professionals, volunteers, individuals and keynote speakers. Tara Nager ’12, community partnership manager for United Way of Alamance County, said she oversees working with the community and securing locations.
“What we’re trying for 2026 is to rotate different towns and cities within the county, because we are United Way of Alamance County, and so we want to make sure that we are in all pockets of Alamance County,” Nager said.
Nager also creates the Community Council blog announcement, which is a blog newsletter sent out a couple of times a week. Community members can submit announcements such as upcoming events, fundraising opportunities or community meetings.
“We want to make sure that our community is informed with what’s happening, and so connecting those folks with those resources and making sure that they’re aware of the upcoming events,” Nager said.
Nager grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Elon University with a degree in human service studies. She said she fell in love with the Alamance County community while volunteering at a local after-school program.
“That’s the great thing about United Way, is we’re a convener, so we bring folks together to have conversations, to have meetings, to just have the opportunity to share those resources,” Nager said.
Nager said she enjoys giving the community information on events, resources, and the organization’s efforts toward reducing food insecurity and improving housing.
“The most rewarding part is knowing that you’re not going to see, you may not see the impact on a day-to-day basis, but you know you’ll have people come back appreciative of the sharing of the resources, or the time that you spent talking on the phone and just listening being that ear for them,” Nager said.