Annual Report 2015

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Dear Friends,

2015 was another good year for Greenville and for United Ministries. Perched on the edge of Greenville’s thriving downtown, our agency’s staff and volunteers continued to work to ensure that all families have the opportunity to participate in the growing prosperity of our community — prosperity that we can literally see from our own front door. The neighborhood around us is changing, but the need for our services remains unchanged. The programs that you support enable us to care for those who come to us in a moment of crisis, and more importantly, to guide them to a future of self-sufficiency. We are pleased to report to our supporters and stakeholders that these efforts have produced positive outcomes not only in the lives of those we serve, but in the greater community as well.

Consider these two figures.

$204,645. This is the amount of direct aid that United Ministries distributed to those in crisis last year. A little less than a quarter of a million dollars in charitable donations were returned to the community in the form of personalized assistance with rent, utilities, food, and travel aid. This represents a tremendous amount of compassion for our less fortunate neighbors, many of whom are senior citizens, disabled, or underemployed.

$5,283,844. This is the amount of wages earned (annualized) by the individuals who obtained employment through our Employment Readiness program last year. By investing time and energy to develop the employability of these individuals, we were able to provide them with real opportunities to actively participate in Greenville’s economy, ultimately generating far more in earned income than we could possibly distribute in crisis assistance.

This is only one example of how your support makes it possible for us to meet the needs that people have now and to empower people to meet their own needs in the future. In the following pages, you will discover that this theme runs through all of our work. We are proud of this work, and we are even more proud of the efforts so many families make in our programs to become more self-sufficient. Most of all, we are grateful to our supporters for continuing to believe that this work is worthwhile. We couldn’t agree more. Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Sincerely,

Ethan FriddleInterim Executive Director

Troy Bryant has celebrated several achievements in his life due to the combination of his hard work and the opportunities offered to him by United Ministries. Troy’s first success came in 2006 as an Adult Education participant when he obtained his GED. Afterwards, he worked steadily in the manufacturing industry for many years before returning to United Ministries in the spring of 2015 seeking sponsorship for the truck driver training program at Greenville Tech. Troy had been a truck driver before earning his GED but left the profession due to severe and long-term health problems his daughter experienced. Once these problems were addressed, Troy knew he needed to return to a profession that would be a good fit for him and his physical capabilities moving forward until retirement.

Troy was accepted for sponsorship, and while waiting for his class to begin, he completed the employability and financial skills class offered by United Ministries, as well as an Overcoming Barriers seminar for ex-offenders. During the truck driver training, Troy’s employment counselor assisted with the legal paperwork and fees necessary to correct an error concerning his last name that would prevent him from obtaining full truck driving endorsements. In the midst of training, Troy was not able to continue his temporary job, so Emergency Assistance and Employment Readiness helped his family pay a few bills, as his wife’s income alone was not sufficient to cover the family’s expenses. In October of 2015, Troy finished the truck driver training with high marks, earning his commercial driver’s license. He was hired quickly by TransAm and is working as an over-the-road owner/operator of his own truck. Troy repeatedly thanks the staff at United Ministries not just for the financial support he has received over the years, but also for the caring relationships that guided him on the path to self-sufficiency.

Troy’s first success came in 2006 as an Adult Education participant when he obtained his GED.

GED Student Benefits from United Ministries’ Employment

Readiness Program

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Good Samaritan giver Kevin Mitchell has been a faithful supporter of United Ministries for over 15 years. He made the decision to become a monthly giver when his men’s ministry group held meetings in the United Ministries’ Learning Center. At one luncheon, instead of giving the usual message, the group leader introduced a speaker from United Ministries to share about the organization’s transformational services. Kevin was touched by the message, participated in the Poverty Tour a few weeks later, and felt a larger calling to live out his faith.

Education has played a pivotal role in Kevin’s life, which is why he supports United Ministries’ Adult Education program with his monthly donations. An Air Force veteran, Kevin used his veteran’s benefits to complete job training as a licensed aircraft mechanic. However, he didn’t stop with an Associate’s degree, but continued to further his education, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. Kevin is grateful for his career, and is honored to support others as they work to improve their lives through education.

Because of the generosity of people like Kevin, the Adult Education program at United Ministries provides adults who lack a high school diploma with an opportunity to earn their GEDs. The high school equivalency diploma provides adults with a second chance to develop their earning potential by qualifying them for higher education, technical training, and quality employment. Last year, United Ministries prepared 898 students for the GED.

Good Samaritan Giver – Kevin Mitchell

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Kevin is grateful for his career, and is honored to help others to improve their lives through education.

In August 2015, United Ministries, in partnership with Leadership Greenville Class 41 and Harper Corporation, overhauled our crisis food pantry to implement a client choice model.

The new model returns dignity to those seeking assistance by enabling them the ability to choose food items that fit their families’ needs. Previously, pre-packaged bags were given to qualifying families. Client choice allows families to choose from available foods that best fit their families’ nutritional needs, thereby cutting down on food waste and allowing active participation in their food assistance experience. In the past, our approach to food distribution has been limited by our physical space, so we are excited to finally have the pantry designed to meet our needs. Helen Anderson, a volunteer in the Emergency Assistance program, notes that the new client choice model is “more effective. It allows families to get the things they like or that they really need.” The client choice food pantry design was donated by Leadership Greenville Class 41 member Tom Lockhart and his firm McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. Harper Corporation donated construction services for the project. This project was made possible through the generosity of The Graham Foundation and John I. Smith Charities. In addition to improving flow and efficiency for those seeking food assistance and the volunteers who serve them, the new pantry also includes additional storage space for non-perishable food. With the help of essential volunteers from partner churches and in-kind food donations from congregations, civic groups, schools and businesses, United Ministries plans to serve more than 2,800 families this year.

Community Leaders Transform United Ministries’

Food Pantry

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John Braeunig has been supporting United Ministries since 1998 but first began volunteering in 2007 when the Place of Hope asked the board for volunteers. He has continued to volunteer over the years, believing that volunteering is an extension of his personal mission to show love and understanding.

Volunteering at the Place of Hope isn’t without its challenges. For John, the main challenge of working with people who are homeless is the difference in perspective between him and those who come to the homeless day shelter. He acknowledges that he is human and can become frustrated when he sees the same problems over and over again. But, he says, he has to look past differences to see the pain of others. “Everybody deserves love and a little respect.”

The payoff for John is the satisfaction he derives from knowing the names of those he sees on the street. “Over the years, a lot of these people have become friends. I joke with my wife that when I die, she’ll have to hire a bus to come get my friends from the Place of Hope so they don’t have to walk to my funeral.”

His reason for volunteering — “It’s what I was taught, and it’s what I teach,” John said. “And I hope that my grandchildren will learn the same message — not a message of hate, not a message of exclusion, but a message of love and caring and of giving somebody the opportunity to learn how to provide for and make their families thrive.”

In 2015, the Place of Hope served over 300 new participants and had 12,568 participant visits. Place of Hope obtained long-term housing for 26 participants and approved Traveler’s Aid for 32 individuals. There are 2 full-time staff for the Place of Hope who are supported by a team of volunteers that provide over 800 hours of service a year.

John Braeunig, Volunteer at the Place of Hope

“Everybody deserves love and a little respect.”

Volunteer Spotlight

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United Ministries launched a new name and new look for our signature community-wide fundraising walk. Known as the Walk for the Homeless for the past 25 years, the event was renamed the Transformation Walk in 2015. The new name better reflects the purpose of the fundraiser — to support the entire spectrum of United Ministries’ life-changing programs that equip vulnerable individuals to become independent and productive members of the Greenville community. The event provides funds for job skills training, adult education, financial stability programs, emergency assistance, and the Place of Hope, our homeless day shelter.

The Transformation Walk drew over 700 walkers and raised over $85,000. Participants enjoyed food, family-friendly entertainment and music by Dan James at the organization’s first ever Transformation Celebration that was held before the event.

Major supporters for the Transformation Walk included Pacesetter sponsor Perrigo Company of SC, Matching Gift Challengers Erwin and Nancy Maddrey and Stride sponsors Batteries Plus, Carolina Power, Keenan Suggs and South Carolina Tel-Con. Media sponsors included The Greenville News, HIS Radio and GSA Business.

UN

ITED MINISTRIES’ 2 7 TH ANNUAL

Fundraising Events

2015 WALK WINNERS

TOP FUNDRAISING LARGE TEAM

St. Mary’s Confirmation

TOP FUNDRAISING MEDIUM TEAM

Buncombe Street United Methodist Church

Sprouts

TOP FUNDRAISING SMALL TEAM New Horizon

Family Health Services

TOP FUNDRAISING YOUTH

Katie Johnson from Buncombe Street

United Methodist Church

TOP FUNDRAISING ADULT

Bobby Thompson from Buncombe Street

United Methodist Church

WINNER OF THE #WHYWEWALK

YOUTUBE CHALLENGESt. Matthew

United Methodist Church

MOST SPIRITED TEAM

Buncombe Street United Methodist Church

Sprouts

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On May 11, 2015, United Ministries hosted the Uniting for Change Luncheon at the TD Convention Center with keynote speaker Robert Lupton. Author of Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help ( And How To Reverse It ), Lupton addressed an audience of over 300 to discuss how well-intentioned people can end up hurting the very people they’re trying to help.

Uniting for Change Luncheon

“Today’s United Ministries luncheon was amazing. It was a huge step up. Good lunch, well organized,

and a great message. Congratulations to all who made it happen.”

— Bill and Lydia Kellett, Kellett Society Members

Robert Lupton

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2015 United Ministries Revenue Sources

2015 United Ministries Expenses

•UNITED WAY

•FOUNDATIONS

•INDIVIDUALS

•CONGREGATIONS

•BUSINESSES

•OTHER REVENUE

2015 Financial Report

•EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND FINANCIAL STABILIZATION

•EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

•ADULT EDUCATION

•PLACE OF HOPE

•ADMINISTRATION

•DEVELOPMENT

2%

5%

31%

27%

19%

16%

9%

29%

24%19%

7%

12%

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Kellett Society 2015The Kellett Society is an individual giving society named for Bill Kellett, a longtime United Ministries volunteer, to recognize donors giving at the $1000 or greater level during a year. Anonymous

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Mr. and Mrs. Bob Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Andrews

Mr. and Mrs. Welch M. Bostick, Jr.

Ralph and Becky Bouton

Mr. and Mrs. John Braeunig

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Coburn

Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Cogdill

Ms. Nancy B. Cole

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Cothran

Mr. Hal Crosswell

Mrs. Lillian C. Darby

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Dillon

Ms. Thayer Fleming

Mr. William G. Garrett

Mr. and Mrs. David Gedney

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hagins

Becky and Bobby Hartness

Mrs. Betty Herrin

Mrs. Janey House

Dr. and Mrs. Michael P. Kellett

Dr. and Mrs. William W. Kellett III

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Marshall

Mr. and Mrs. Duke K. McCall, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt G. McDonald

Joy McFarland, MD

Bill and Catherine Merritt

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Meyer

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Mitchell

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Norwood

In Memory of Mack Pazdan

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pennell

Mr. and Mrs. M. Lee Powell IV

Mr. William M. Putnam Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Quinn

Ms. Sandra Rawls

Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Russell

Mr. George W. Sharpton

Wade H. Sherard III

Mr. and Mrs. Brad Snelson

Fran Spicer

James and Sharon Stiepan

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Stuckey Jr.

Greg and Maggie Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Trimble

Mr. and Mrs. David Vaughn

Nancy S. Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Doyle R. Yates

Dr. and Mrs. James L. Young Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Zeiger

Lifetime Kellett Society(Recognizes donors who have cumulatively given $25,000 or greater)

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Ms. Joyce Alexander

Mrs. Ann Ballenger

Ms. Susan H. Bracknell

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Callahan Jr.

Ms. Cherry L. Canaday

Tudda Chase Carpenter and family

William L. and Anne Maddrey Carpenter

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clanton

Mr. and Mrs. James Culp

Ms. Jane R. Davenport

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Dobson III

Fielding and Gally Gallivan

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Gibson

Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Good, Jr.

Anna Kate and Hayne Hipp

Bill and Emmy Holt

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Y. Hyndshaw

Dr. and Mrs. Edward Lominack Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Timothy Lynch

Nancy and Erwin Maddrey

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Mangelsen

Dr. W. Duncan McArthur Jr. and Dr. Mary Jane Gorman

Mr. Alvin McCall

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander J. Milligan

Mrs. Mary Monahan

Ms. Marie G. Park

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Pellett Jr.

Jane and Don Pilzer

Dr. and Mrs. John Piper

Mr. and Mrs. David C. Poole

Laurie and Marvin Quattlebaum

Mr. C. Niles Ray

Mrs. Jean Reed

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Reynolds

Dave and Beverly Sampson

Linda and Kent Satterfield

Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Shufeldt

Ms. Mary P. Sterling

Beth Templeton

Mrs. Marilyn F. Vanvick

Rev. Jack Washington

Mr. Mack I. Whittle Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Williams Sr.

Ms. Claire D. Winkler

Dennis and Renee Zeiger

Good Samaritan Giving Society(Recognizes monthly donors at any level)

Anonymous

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Welch M. Bostick, Jr.

Ms. Susan H. Bracknell

Mr. and Mrs. John Braeunig

Mr. and Mrs. Pete Cantrell

Mr. and Mrs. G. Michael Cogdill

Mr. David Cross

Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Doering

Ms. Constance E. Gawne

Mrs. Betty Herrin

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony R. Hesketh

Mr. Keith Howard

Ms. Eileen P. Jago

Mr. Michael A. Keaton

Mr. and Mrs. Chip B. Mays III

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Mitchell

Mrs. Saidee New

Ms. Edie Parrott

Mr. Joseph J. Pulliam

Mr. and Mrs. James K. Scogin

Mr. David R. Snipes

Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Strickler

Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Trimble

Mr. Brantley Wentworth

Congregational SupportWe extend a special thank you to all of our supporting churches and church groups.

Advent United Methodist Church

Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Thank You to Our Donors

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Apphia Sunday School

Augusta Road Baptist Church

Augusta Road Churches United In Ministry

Berea Friendship United Methodist Church

Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church

Bethel United Methodist Church, Simpsonville

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Bethlehem United Methodist Church

Beulah Christian Fellowship

Brandon Baptist Church

Brookwood Church

Buncombe Street United Methodist Church

Christ Church Episcopal

Christ United Methodist Church

Disciples United Methodist Church

Downtown Presbyterian Church

Earle Street Baptist Church

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

First Baptist Church Travelers Rest

First Baptist Church, Greenville

First Baptist Church, Piedmont

First Presbyterian Church, Greenville

First Presbyterian Church, Simpsonville

Foothills Presbytery

Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church

Fourth Presbyterian Church

Grace Community Church of SC

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Greenville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Israel Metropolitan CME Church

John Knox Presbyterian Church

Lafanic Church

Laurel Creek United Methodist Church

Laurens Road United Methodist Church

Lee Road United Methodist Church

Lickville Presbyterian Church

Lutheran Church of Our Saviour

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

Mauldin United Methodist Church

McCarter Presbyterian Church

Messiah Lutheran Church

Mill Community Ministries

Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church

Monaghan United Methodist Church

Mountain View United Methodist Church Women

New Covenant Baptist Church

Nicholtown Presbyterian Church

Northside United Methodist Church

Oak Crest Baptist Church

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Vietnamese TNTT Youth

Pendleton Street Baptist Church

Reedy Fork Baptist Church-Greenville

SC Conference of the United Methodist Church

Seventh Day Adventist Church

Simpsonville United Methodist Church

Springfield Baptist Church

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

St. Andrews Presbyterian Women

St. Giles Presbyterian Church

St. James Episcopal Church

St. James Pentecostal Church

St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church

St. John United Methodist Church, Greenville

St. Mark United Methodist Church, Taylors

St. Mark United Methodist Church, Greenville

St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

St. Matthew United Methodist Church

St. Michael Lutheran Church

St. Paul United Methodist Church

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Taylors First Baptist Church

Temple of Israel

The Carpenter’s Tabernacle

Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity United Methodist Church

Wesley Chapel UMW

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Zion Assembly Church of God

Legacy SocietyThe Legacy Society recognizes donors who have made provisions in their estate plans to include United Ministries. If you have included United Ministries in your estate plans, please let us know so that we may celebrate and recognize you!

Estate of Carmela Botticelli

Mrs. Evelyn J. Bruce*

Mr.* and Mrs.* John F. Chandler

Ms. Elizabeth L. Cleveland*

Ms. JoAnn E. Coleman*

Ms. Ruth M. Dean*

Mrs. Mary Simms Oliphant Furman*

Estate of Ellen H. Goldsmith

Ms. Nancy A. Hardesty*

Estate of William Anthony Miller Hughes

Mr. Roy F. Hunt, III

Ms. Mary S. Johnson

Ms. Eugenia H. Ligon*

Mr. Robert J. Maxwell Jr.*

Ms. Margaret McCreary*

Mr. John B. McLeod*

Ms. Luelle Ogburn*

Estate of Ruth Patrick

Ms. Virginia B. Rubin*

Mr. William C. Smith*

Estate of James B. Staton

Mrs. Perla B. Stowe*

Mr. John F. Templeton*

Ms. Martha G. Templeton*

Mr. I. Newton Whiteside*

Mrs. Pauline W. Woodside*

(* denote deceased)

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our donor lists, but if we’ve made a mistake, please let us know at 864-335-2615

Elizabeth Cleveland Legacy

Friends described Elizabeth Cleveland as a kind and gentle soul who was blessed with a love of teaching and literacy. After graduating from The University of South Carolina with a BA in History, Elizabeth first worked as a paralegal in Greenville and Charleston before returning to USC to earn her Master’s in Education. She then taught history and economics at Wando High School in Charleston.

Upon returning to Greenville in 1991, she taught briefly at Greenville Technical College before joining The United Way. After retirement, Elizabeth devoted her time to the participants of United Ministries — bringing her love of reading by teaching adult literacy. Volunteers and staff at United Ministries remember her fondly through her example of service and kindness.

Elizabeth Cleveland passed away on January 17, 2016, but her legacy will live on at United Ministries through a planned gift. Before she passed away, Elizabeth named United Ministries as the beneficiary of her retirement plan — a move that surprised no one who knew her giving spirit. We remember Elizabeth and thank her for her meaningful and generous gift.

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Providing life changing opportunities

606 Pendleton Street | Greenville, South Carolina 29601 | 864.232.6463 | www.united-ministries.org