Dear United Way of Pierce County Community,

from United Way of Pierce County 2022 Annual Report

United Way of Pierce County Celebrates Community Partners

As we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future, it is clear that achieving our vision and mission requires a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those in our community. We cannot simply rely on assumptions or statistics to guide our actions. We must listen to those with lived experience and center their voices in our efforts to create a just, equitable and inclusive Pierce County.

With this in mind, I am thrilled to present our 2022 Annual Report, which not only highlights our accomplishments from 2022 but also emphasizes our commitment to truly hearing and uplifting the experiences and perspectives of our community members.

We continue to center our work around the voice of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) individuals, and developed an informal theme, “Centering Our Work Around ALICE: The Power of Listening to Community Voices.” achieve their highest potential. By recognizing and addressing the unique obstacles faced by marginalized groups, we can work toward a more inclusive Pierce County where everyone has the resources and support they need to thrive.

By intentionally listening to the voices of our community, particularly those who are facing challenges such as asset limitations, income constraints and employment struggles, we can better advocate for their needs and create more effective solutions.

In 2022, we developed a new vision statement that embodies our unwavering dedication to a just, equitable and inclusive Pierce County. At the heart of this vision is our commitment to supporting ALICE families, and we have made a deliberate effort to center their voices as we navigate the challenges of COVID -19.

To further support our diverse community, we established the Hispanic Heritage Group and the Black African American Initiative, and we will continue to take meaningful action in the year ahead.

We continue to work with our partners to challenge our collective understanding of what it means to provide opportunities for all to

We are more committed than ever to our mission of improving lives in measurable and lasting ways, and we thank our supporters, partners and volunteers for their continued dedication to our work. By working together, we can build a more just, equitable and inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Dona Ponepinto President & CEO

Steve Harlow Board Chair

United, we will lift 15,000 households out of poverty by 2028 and into self-sufficiency, one family at a time. To date, through your investments and our community partners, 7,800 families are moving towards self-sufficiency and on their way to building wealth.