United is the Way, And It Starts With You
Three local stories show what can happen when people have the support they need.
Every neighbor deserves the opportunity to thrive.
But getting there can look different for everyone.
For Brandy, it meant finding people willing to help her move forward after experiencing homelessness. For Nadia, it meant having someone in her corner as she worked to build stability for her family. For Devon, it started with a backpack in eighth grade and eventually led him back to United Way of Cass-Clay to help fill backpacks for other kids.
These are just three stories from our community. They’re also a glimpse into why United Way of Cass-Clay brings people and organizations together around the needs facing our neighbors.
Watch the 2026 United Way of Cass-Clay Campaign Video:
Brandy found people willing to help
Brandy experienced homelessness for 1,378 days. She knows how difficult it can be to find a way out.
“It’s almost impossible unless you have people who are going to help you.”
—Brandy
Her experience showed her something else, too. Having people willing to give you a chance can change what comes next.
Support can mean many things when someone is experiencing homelessness. Sometimes it means having a safe place to stay. Sometimes it means having someone help navigate the next step. And sometimes, it simply means having someone who doesn’t give up on you.
For Brandy, those people helped her find a way forward.
Nadia found support for her whole family
Nadia was determined to build a better life for her family, but she was facing some very real barriers.
She didn’t have reliable transportation to get to work. Her son was sleeping on an air mattress. There were several things standing between her family and the stability she was working toward.
Nadia connected with Family Empowerment Coach Shelby Moch at SENDCAA, a United Way Verified Impact Partner.
Together, they worked through what Nadia and her family needed. With support from Shelby and resources available through the program, Nadia was able to get a car, and her son got a real bed and a desk.
“We don’t just help one piece of the puzzle. We focus on the entire family because when you lift up a parent, you lift up their kids too. And when you lift up one family, you strengthen our entire community.”
—Shelby Moch, Family Empowerment Coach, SENDCAA
Today, Nadia works at SENDCAA, the same organization that supported her family.
She went from receiving support to becoming someone who provides it to others.
Devon started with a backpack
Devon’s story started with a backpack.
When he was in eighth grade, Devon received a backpack through the United Way School Supply Drive. Having the supplies he needed gave him confidence and allowed him to focus on school instead of worrying about what he didn’t have.
Years later, he came back to the School Supply Drive as a volunteer, helping fill backpacks for other kids in our community.
“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now without an education and help from the United Way.”
—Devon
A backpack helped Devon feel ready for school. Years later, he was helping another student feel the same way.
This work looks different for every neighbor
Brandy, Nadia and Devon have very different stories.
There are even more found across our community.
Some neighbors are working to find stable housing. Some families need support as they work toward a more secure future. Some kids need the basic supplies that help them walk into school ready to learn. Others may need help putting food on the table or finding a way through a difficult season.
United Way of Cass-Clay invests in work that helps prevent hunger and homelessness, prepare kids to succeed, strengthen families and give every neighbor the opportunity to thrive.
We don’t do that work alone.
United Way brings nonprofits, businesses, community leaders and volunteers together to identify and address the needs facing our community.
We invest in trusted programs, connect partners and help fill gaps so the people doing this work can reach more neighbors.
And because the work is local, your gift stays here in Cass and Clay counties.
It starts with you
You may not know who your gift will help.
It could be a parent working toward stability. A child getting ready for a new school year. A neighbor looking for a way forward.
It could be someone you know.
That’s part of what makes this work so important. The people who need support aren’t always who you’d expect. They’re our neighbors, coworkers, friends and family members.
Your gift joins others across our community to support trusted programs that help our neighbors today while building a stronger tomorrow.
Watch our 2026 campaign video to hear Brandy, Nadia and Devon share their stories and see what United Way makes possible when our community comes together.
United is the way, and it starts with you.