2025 State of Our Families

Join us on October 14 for Trident United Way's 3rd Annual State of Our Families!

This year's summit will be a hands-on event where attendees will learn about the challenges facing local families and how we can unite as a community to support our neighbors.

Hear from local and national leaders, participate in interactive, community-focused activities and learn about Trident United Way's Bold Goal and Mission Focus to uplift Tri-County families out of poverty.

Please contact Lee Anne Stone at lastone@tuw.org with questions.

Thank you to our generous sponsors

Impact Sponsor

Reliance Sponsors

Event Sponsor

2024 State of Our Families

Thank you to everyone who attended the second annual State of our Families on October 23, 2024! We deeply appreciate your continued support of Trident United Way and your participation in this important conversation.

The annual State of Our Families event brings together key community leaders to learn what families in the Tri-County area are currently experiencing. This year, SC Ports Authority President & CEO and TUW Board Chair Barbara Melvin and TUW President & CEO DJ Hampton shared information on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families that make up 39% of our Tri-County community and the 53% of South Carolina children who are living in financial hardship.

Ali Moriarty, Assistant Director of the College of Charleston's Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities, moderated a panel discussion with four leaders from different community sectors:

• Geona Shaw Johnson, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Charleston
• Dr. Reshma Khan, Founder of the Shifa Clinic
• Bernie Mazyck, CEO of the SC Association for Community and Economic Development
• Johnathon Wideman, Principal of A.C. Corcoran Elementary

Their diverse backgrounds, knowledge and experiences highlighted the many ways financial hardship can have lasting impacts on education, health, housing and other areas.

We also recognized outstanding community leaders for their contributions:

• Shawan Gillans, Santee Cooper, Changemaker Community Advocacy Award
• Michael Samuel, South State Bank, Changemaker Volunteer of the Year Award
• Tanger Charleston, Changemaker Power of Partnership Award
• Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, Changemaker Part of the Community Award

Thank you to everyone who attended this powerful event! United is the Way to a brighter future for our Tri-County community.

2023 State of Our Families 

Over 150 community members attended the inaugural State of Our Families event to discuss the challenges many families in our community are facing and the opportunities we have to come together to lift these families up. Trident United Way President & CEO DJ Hampton began the program by sharing information on ALICE®, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed families that make up almost 40% of our Tri-County community.

The Post & Courier Editor In Chief Autumn Phillips moderated a panel discussion featuring leaders from different community sectors - Rev. Dr. Byron L. Benton, Matt Brady, Shawan Gillians and Melissa Levesque.

The event also recognized those who have gone above and beyond to serve our community.

• Outstanding Volunteer Award Deb Campeau
• Outstanding Nonprofit Partner Award Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
• Outstanding Corporate Partner Award Santee Cooper

We are grateful to everyone who attended the event and look forward to continuing our efforts alongside our community partners to help friends and neighbors in the Tri-County area.