United Way of Southeast Mississippi

11/02/2026

Our November Waymakers column in Signature Magazine highlights Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the lasting impact of putting books into the hands of young children.

Following Dolly’s recent passing, we’ve seen an even greater demand for this beloved program across Southeast Mississippi. It’s a reminder of the incredible legacy she leaves behind and the importance of keeping it going for generations to come.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to read this month’s column!
https://www.flipsnack.com/Emmerich/signature-magazine-november-2026.html

Donate to our local Imagination Library here: https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/?country=US&affid=MSSOUTHEAST&fbclid=IwdGRjcAVUqMNkdm10mwSLmWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YBZmRpZBZRFkZpzqADrTyjBluS0cKefuLY30_Ec3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHx4wA8d0EjDUQDq60YVIaXbDyaC8eHarqiXigNKL5ql4J4zeUMCDny-5hlNF_aem_941D4VSmLpihYfsgFLtSZw

10/30/2026

Partner Spotlight: Domestic Abuse Family Shelter

Through our Healthy Community impact area, United Way of Southeast Mississippi supports organizations like DAFS that help survivors of domestic violence and their children find safety and rebuild their lives through emergency shelter, crisis support, counseling, and advocacy services.

When asked what being a United Way partner means to them, DAFS shared:

“Being a partner agency of the United Way of Southeast Mississippi means being part of a dedicated network of organizations committed to improving lives and strengthening our communities. This partnership provides DAFS with valuable financial support, community connections, and opportunities to expand essential services for victims of domestic violence, family violence, human trafficking, and stalking. Through our collaboration, we are better equipped to address critical needs, remove barriers to safety, and help individuals and families achieve stability and independence. We are proud to partner with United Way of Southeast Mississippi in our shared mission of creating hope, empowering individuals, and building stronger, safer communities.”

Our funding supports programs and partner agencies in Forrest, Lamar, Marion, and Perry counties.

When you give to United Way, you're giving to all of them.

10/29/2026

This quarter, we awarded a Community Development Grant to Southern Miss Wesley!

Located on USM's campus, the Wesley Food Pantry provides essential food and resources to students and staff facing food insecurity. By helping meet this basic need, the pantry allows individuals to focus on their education, work, and personal well-being without the added stress of wondering where their next meal will come from.

We’re proud to partner with organizations making a meaningful difference in our neighbors' lives!

10/28/2026

Meet the people behind the mission. 🌟

This month’s Board Member Spotlight is our Vice Chair and Community Impact Chair, Annie Jackson.

Annie has been with Canopy Children’s Solutions for 22 years. For 16 of those years, she served as Director of the South Mississippi Children’s Center, a shelter for children who had experienced abuse, neglect, homelessness, and trauma. Today, she supervises four LINK teams in Hattiesburg and McComb that help low-income families across 17 counties access essentials like food, clothing, housing, and furniture.

This is her sixth year on our Board of Directors and her second year serving as Community Impact Chair.

One of her favorite memories comes from before she joined the board. As shelter director, Annie represented her agency at our Partner Agency Interviews. Asking for funding can feel like an uphill climb, but she says she always felt supported in that room. That experience is a big part of what inspired her to join the board and give back to other agencies.

We asked Annie why she serves:

“I serve with United Way because the mission totally aligns with my life focus, which has always been to make a difference for others, impact lives, and strengthen and encourage those around me. I believe ‘as long as there is breath in our bodies, there is an opportunity for change.’ I believe in hope, because it motivates us to never give up.”

Something many people don’t know about Annie: she’s a country girl from Union Springs, Alabama, raised on a foundation of faith, family, and community. That foundation keeps her grounded, and it sometimes inspires her to write poetry and short stories that she’s only shared with family and friends.

We’re grateful for leaders like Annie who give their time, heart, and expertise to our community.

10/27/2026

It's Read Aloud to a Child Week (October 25–31)! 📚

Did you know that reading aloud isn't just for little ones or children who haven't learned to read yet?

Even after children become independent readers, reading aloud builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, encourages imagination, and fosters a love of reading.

Even older elementary and middle school students benefit from being read to!

Whether your child is 2 or 12, they're never too old to enjoy a good story together. The benefits of reading aloud don't end when a child learns to read!

It's Read Aloud to a Child Week!

This year's theme is BE COURAGEOUS!

We're celebrating stories about characters who show bravery, resilience, and determination when faced with challenges.
Reading aloud is one simple way to support your child's language and brain development while creating meaningful opportunities to connect.

Whether it's one book, one chapter, or just a few minutes together, make time to read!

Read to Them

10/21/2026

This month, we’re proud to recognize Lamar County Schools as our Smart Cookies of the Month! Pictured are the dedicated principals of Lamar County Schools, whose leadership and commitment help make a lasting impact on students, families, and our community.

We are incredibly thankful for Lamar County Schools and their continued support and partnership with United Way of Southeast Mississippi. Strong partnerships like these help us work together to build a stronger community and create brighter futures for the people we serve.

Let’s celebrate Lamar County Schools and the incredible difference they make in our community! 💙

A special thank you to our friends at Crooked Letter Cookies for providing this month's Smart Cookies!

10/19/2026

139 years of bringing communities together!

On October 16, 1887, a small group of community leaders in Denver, Colorado, came together with a simple idea: We can accomplish more when we work together.

That idea grew into what we know today as United Way.

139 years later, that same belief still guides our work here in Southeast Mississippi. Through our partner agencies, programs, donors, volunteers, and community partners, we're working together to address local needs and create opportunities for our neighbors to thrive.

The challenges may have changed over the years, but the power of working together hasn't.

139 years later, United is still the Way.

10/14/2026

Everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to thrive. Yet many of our neighbors work hard every day, do their best to make ends meet, and still struggle to get ahead.

That's why United Way's work matters. Through our partner agencies and programs, we're helping meet critical needs, create opportunities, and build a stronger Southeast Mississippi for everyone.

Watch our 2026 campaign video to see how we're making a difference together, and consider being part of that impact.

United is the Way.

Learn more at https://unitedwaysems.org/

10/07/2026

As we keep an eye on the tropics, now is the time to review a few basic preparedness steps.

Prepare now, stay informed, and check on one another. When our communities look out for each other, we are stronger and more resilient.

United is the Way.

10/01/2026

Our October Waymakers column focuses on food insecurity in our area—an especially timely topic following last week’s annual CANpaign Food Drive, where we collected 3,300 pounds of food for our three food pantry partner agencies! 💙

Thank you to Signature Magazine for highlighting this important work. We hope you'll take a moment to read the column and learn more about the difference we're making together.

https://www.flipsnack.com/Emmerich/signature-magazine-october-2026.html