One Community United | The Catawba County United Way Podcast

Episode 5: "A Community’s Commitment to Safety: Shelter Home of the Foothills"

In this episode we sit down with Lisa Clontz, the director of the domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, Shelter Home of the Foothills. We explore these organizations takeover of services in Catawba County, the services they provide, and how the community can support them. You will gain insight into how Shelter Home of the Foothills empowers individuals on their journey to safety, stability and healing, and how community support makes this work possible. 
Connect with Catawba County United Way here!
This episode is sponsored by Empowher. Empowher is an employee resource group through Transportation Insight & NTG. Empowher exists to create opportunities for women to connect, grow, lead, and make an impact. Through professional development, mentorship, networking, community involvement, and meaningful partnerships, empowher helps build a supportive community that empowers members both personally and professionally.
 

Episode 4: "Feeding the Community, Building Connections"

In this episode, we sit down with leaders from the Hickory Soup Kitchen and the HOPE Center to explore how compassion, collaboration, and community are transforming lives in our community. From serving a warm meal to helping individuals take their next steps toward stability, these organizations are meeting people where they are—and walking with them toward hope.
Listeners will hear powerful stories from the front lines of hunger relief and supportive services, learn how the Soup Kitchen and the HOPE Center work hand‑in‑hand to address immediate needs and long‑term challenges, and discover the impact that volunteers, donors, and community support make every single day. This conversation is a reminder that when a community comes together, real and lasting change is possible.
Connect with Catawba County United Way here!

Episode 3: "County Leadership Unplugged"

In this podcast, Catawba County Manager Mary Furtado, explains how the county’s operational success is driven by strategic growth, strong leadership, and a management approach that focuses on improving residents’ quality of life through effective local government systems. She offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at how departments coordinate, how leadership principles guide decision‑making, and how long‑term planning shapes the county’s future. These efforts highlight how county leadership and community partners work together.
 
Huge thanks to Catawba County for sponsoring this episode and helping make these conversations possible. We appreciate your support of local stories and the community we’re building together.
 
Connect with United Way Catawba County here!
 

Episode 2: "The Chick Who Brought the Community to the Table"

In this episode of United Way of Catawba County’s Podcast, we sit down with the owner of Chicken Salad Chick to explore how her passion for service drives both her business and her community involvement. She shares her journey as a business owner, her leadership role, and the importance of creating a workplace culture centered on giving back. We discuss the meaningful partnerships she’s built with United Way and the impact of being involved in the community. Her story highlights how small businesses can play a powerful role in strengthening and uplifting their communities.
Connect with United Way of Catawba County here!
Huge thanks to Peoples Bank for sponsoring this episode and helping make these conversations possible. We appreciate your support of local stories and the community we’re building together.

Episode 1: "One Community United"

Catawba County United Way’s first podcast episode serves as an introduction to the organization’s mission and impact within the community. In this episode, your hosts Mark Bumgarner and Meredith Willis discuss how United Way brings people and resources together to address critical needs such as education, financial stability, and health. You will learn about the collaborative approach United Way takes that includes working with local partners, volunteers, and donors to create lasting, measurable change. By sharing real stories and an inside look at its initiatives, this podcast sets the stage for future episodes and invites the community to become more involved in its work…..”One Community United”.
Connect with Catawba County United Way here!