United Way Director Reflects on Her Years of Service

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

 

As she prepares to hand over the reins to a new executive director, Sharron Cornelius feels confident that the United Way of Greater Williamsburg is an even stronger partner in the community after her nearly 14-year tenure. Cornelius worked with the United Way in Raleigh, N.C., Fort Myers, Fla. and Merrimack Valley, Mass, before she decided to move to Williamsburg to head its United Way. “I wanted to be an executive director of a small United Way in a community where we could effect positive change for everyone in the community by working together.”

And that’s just what she’s worked hard to do since 1997.

When she first arrived, the United Way and the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation conducted a community-wide needs assessment. A top priority that came out of the assessment was the need for substance abuse education and treatment, which led to the creation of the Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition.

Also during her tenure, Cornelius helped establish the Senior Services Coalition, which aims to promote a healthier, safer community for seniors. “The fastest growing segment of our population is seniors, and we must address the growing needs of this population,” she says.

She’s currently the 2011 Chair for the Coalition.

One of the accomplishments Cornelius is most proud of is helping to establish a grant-making community foundation for the area, with the help of her husband Bob and several members of the community.

Created in 1999, the Williamsburg Community Foundation now has more than $3 million in assets. In February this year, the Foundation awarded over $33,000 in grants to 16 nonprofit agencies in the area.

“The Foundation wasn’t here before I got here,” says Cornelius. “I consider it a part of my legacy.”

Another important part of her legacy is the strengthening of partnerships and coalitions which has led to the Historic Triangle Housing, Employment and Linkages Program (HELP). This was a partnership pilot program among local government and nonprofit agencies and members of the faith community that aimed to help people who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless by connecting them with various community resources.

Between January 2009 and October 2010, HELP assisted 99 individuals, including 20 families and 22 single men. The group provided 30,700 nights of lodging (the Salvation Army has 12 apartments for the purpose) and secured 15 jobs for clients.

Of those served, 11 families graduated to independent living and 10 individuals established growing savings accounts. Clients have received GED’s, learned to read, and have received life skills classes, recovery services, child care, employment and legal services. One woman was able to get a whole new set of teeth, which helped her get a job so she could take care of her son.

The United Way’s new Community Resource Center, an expansion of its Information and Referral program, grew out of the HELP program and opened in March.

“This is an exceptional, exceptional coming together of all 3 municipalities, various agencies, the United Way and the faith community,” Cornelius says. “It took them all to make this happen.”

The joining of forces among the various safety net providers came at a perfect time, when the long recession meant more people than ever in the Triangle were in need of help – and many of them ended up at the United Way’s doorstep looking for assistance.

“During the time of the economic crisis, we were seeing people we’ve never seen before – in fact, the reality is we’re still in an economic crisis here,” Cornelius says. People who have gotten laid off from their jobs who haven’t yet found positions still need assistance, and many clients coming to the UWGW now are people who used to be committed donors in better times.

“I would be remiss to say things are completely better or fixed,” she says. “There is still homelessness here, and nowadays [nonprofits] have less money. We must work together even more efficiently to address the growing demand for services and to more effectively pool our collective resources.”

As for what she considers to be her most important accomplishment over her time, Cornelius says it’s the citizen review process for allocating funds to health and human service programs.

 

“When I came here, UWGW was allocating funds… to non-profit health and human service agencies. The agency determined how to use the money, and accountability was minimal.”

Over the course of about five years, the agency shifted from funding entire agencies to funding specific programs. Also, the United Way worked on creating measurable outcomes and trained volunteers on understanding the outcomes of their service.

“This verifies that the funds raised for UWGW are allocated to qualified and needed services,” says Cornelius, “so when someone donates [to us], they can be assured that their funds are going to services that are needed here in our community.”

The agency’s new director Sharon Gibson-Ellis will take over in early April. “I’m really excited about her,” says Cornelius. “I think she’ll bring the UWGW to higher heights. She has lots of energy, and she’s coming to a wonderful community.

“I’ve had a great experience over the years, and worked with many dedicated people. I’ll miss the staff, they’re phenomenal.”

Cornelius is ready to join her husband in retirement now that the United Way is in good hands, she says. They’ve just downsized to a smaller home in Stonehouse, and look forward to spending time together.

The United Way will honor Cornelius Wednesday afternoon at their annual meeting.