Miriam Rhoades’ voice broke a few times as she relayed her personal experience with domestic violence.
“Many people who’ve never lived it can’t understand why someone doesn’t just leave,” said Rhoades at the United Way of the CSRA’s 85th annual campaign celebration March 29 at SRP Park’s Wow! Club.
Rhoades left her abusive husband multiple times during their 14-year marriage before their therapist revealed to her just how dangerous her former spouse might become. The therapist played out several scenarios after talking with her husband who had deep-seeded anger that continued to grow.
“His mental state was serious, and I feared for my life and my daughters’ lives,” said Rhoades, who had to leave her home to stay in a battered women’s shelter in Charleston, S.C. with her two daughters for a time.
Now an assistant vice president and senior client services associate at SouthState Bank, Rhoades conveyed the importance of those types of community services — services that dollars raised by the United Way of the CSRA help to provide in the Augusta area.
United Way officials announced they raised more than $2.2 million in the past year to fund programs in about 27 area non-profit organizations.
But they also focused about the changes the United Way has undergone since February 2020 when officials last met in person with supporters.
Brittany Burnett, the organization’s president and CEO, said that event seemed like “a lifetime ago,” yet like it was just yesterday.
Over the past two years, the United Way has shifted to become more of a direct service provider to meet the needs of the community.
Multiple direct service programs exist such as the 211-call center linking people with resources and volunteer opportunities. The line received 8,079 calls last year; also, there were nearly 16,000 website inquiries.
The United Way of the CSRA was the organization the city of Augusta tapped to distribute $5.4 million in rental and utilities assistance through the Sigh of Relief program. About 10,000 applications for assistance were received.
Among the other direct services included RideUnited, a partnership was with Lyft to provide limited, free emergency rides for appointments such as job interviews and medical treatment. Also, the organization held a Martin Luther King Day of service to collect hygiene items, Operation Seats and Feet, which collected socks and underwear for school children, and the Stuff the Bus program to collect school supplies in four area counties. These are a few of the direct services provided.
The direct impact of combined United Way outreaches topped $8 million, according to Jordan Pierce, the 2020 and 2021 United Way board chairman.
Also at the meeting, Pearline Harris received the Alvin W. Vogtle Volunteer of the Year Award.
Harris has been a volunteer at the Salvation Army since 2016.
“Her reliability and sweet spirit opened the doors to other essential responsibilities as time went on,” according to her nomination.
She’s also a volunteer at the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority and the Friendship Community Center. A $2,000 contribution was given in Harris’s name as part of the award.
The United Way went on to recognize several businesses for their fundraising campaigns, presenting multiple awards.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
