Now more than ever, communities are facing new challenges that threaten their health and growth— from opioid abuse and human trafficking, to homelessness and domestic violence. Tackling these areas of concern requires a united front, one that harnesses the heart and hard work of local citizens.
To galvanize people to join the fight against these critical issues, and with a commitment to community betterment, we recently launched “Join the Fight,” a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that marks a new narrative for United Way Worldwide. This PSA demonstrates how, with 2.8 million volunteers, 70,000 corporate partners and 9.8 million donors, we are addressing the tough issues of today.
The PSA first aired on April 8 during an episode of “The Hero Effect,” a docu-series airing on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network that spotlights the heroic endeavors of everyday people. You can watch the PSA on television, view it on websites and read about it in print publications across the country. The footage, while graphic, reveals the difficult and dangerous situations that occur in neighborhoods without intervention from organizations like United Way. The strong imagery paints a portrait of people who are in dire need of support. These are people who need a chance. They need hope.
At United Way, we fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Our new PSA is a notice to the world that we are here to fight the challenges of today. We are ready to serve as problem-solvers for the issues that are difficult to face— and too hard to ignore. Above all, our PSA is a reminder that hope lives in each of us, and that we will never give up our fight. We will always #LIVEUNITED. Please watch our PSA, share it and join our fight!