United Voices - Stories of Change, Progress, and the People Making it Happen

On this month's podcast, Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware leads a conversation with Dr. Dorrell Green, Superintendent of Red Clay School district, and Ralph Smith, Managing Director of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, exploring the importance of grade-level reading on an individual's future academic and life incomes, and community and school district partnership efforts to close the litera...

This month's podcast is dedicated to building stronger connections and getting to know our neighbors better. This podcast is a big part of that mission, where we delve into the stories of local changemakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who are working together to build healthy and sustainable minority businesses. Today, we’re in for an insightful discussion with three amazing individuals - Steve Johnson, Ray Parker, a...

In this episode, Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware, sets the stage by introducing the concept of ALICE communities—the Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed—and the struggles of many individuals and families. Joined by long time Stand By Me coaches Lori Hurst-Farrell and Karen Summa, she discusses how Stand By Me offers a range of services designed to help these and other families achieve financial ...

This episode explores managing finances through divorce and single parenting. We’re joined by Lori Hurst-Farrell and Traceé Taylor in a conversation about the primary considerations and challenges of finances through divorce and how individuals can best manage through this difficult new financial reality. Topics include support considerations for both parents, importance of building a realistic and manageable post-divorce financial...

This episode looks at the rise of marketplace scams - how to easily spot and avoid them, and what do you if you've been scammed. Joining us as guests are Jude Liskiewicz and Manoj Philip from the Stand By Me program, in a wide-ranging conversation about why scams work, why it's easy to fall for them, some of the patterns to look for to help identify a scam, and how to keep yourself as safe as possible.

Stand By Me® provide...

This podcast episode explores the important connection between money and our health, including how our health can impact our finances, how our finances can impact our health, and mental health concerns that can arise as a result of financial issues. Our guests on this episode are Karen Summa and Erin Doordan from the Stand By Me program. 

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the...

The topic for this episode is food insecurity, how that impacts our community, and resources and partnerships within our State to address our community's need for sufficient and healthy food. To speak about this topic are Anna McDermott and  Megan Zavala from The Food Bank of Delaware, one of Stand By Me's long-term implementation partners. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a...

The topic for this episode is home ownership, particularly how rising costs are impacting new homeowners and the challenges that presents. To speak about this topic are Delilah Blanchard and Sarah Cha Cha Carter, both from Stand By Me’s Home program.
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empo...

One of the big challenges we are seeing today is how inflation is resulting in higher prices and reduced spending power. Therefore, some creative ways of shopping and budgeting are needed. On today’s podcast we’re joined by Lori Hurst-Farrell and Larron Briddell, two coaches from the Stand By Me program to talk about budgeting for today’s economy.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a too...

Living as a first or second generation immigrant in this country and the State of Delaware can present many challenges, particularly for those navigating the world of personal finance such as purchasing a home, paying for college, and other major life events.

Maria Ramos and Edwin Santos from United Way of Delaware's Stand By Me program are featured on this podcast episode, to talk about the challenges that Hispanic ...

As fall approaches, many families’ thoughts turn to school, and for families with students approaching college enrollment, FAFSA – the free application for federal student aid – is a hot topic. There are a number of recent significant changes to the FAFSA, and here on this episode to tell us more about those changes are Cory Dunt and Candace Powell Kinard from Stand By Me’s NexGen program.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans...

The Stand By Me program would not be possible without the incredible coaching team, who are truly the heart of the program. Stand By Me is successful is because it connects customers with a coach for a one-on-one, highly customized partnership, where the coaches work closely with their customers through their financial challenges and onto prosperity. 

This episode is all about the coaches – their passion and commitment, th...

This podcast - Homebuying... 123 - How to go from Creditworthy to Mortgage Qualified - tackles important topics for the first-time homebuyer such as: 

• The importance of credit – how does it factor into securing a mortgage?
• What are the factors that influence credit scores? 
• Saving for a down payment – what are some strategies for success?
• Shopping for a mortgage - how to evaluate lender choices? 
• What are some common mistakes first ...

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Donna Snyder-White, Vice President, Financial Empowerment for United Way of Delaware, and Lynn Bivens, Senior Community Resource Specialist for Delaware 211, to discuss Delaware 211, the services it provides, and how it connects to and supports the mission of Stand By Me.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leadin...

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Laura Gendreau, Director of Financial Empowerment, and Jude Liszkiewicz, Program Manager and Coach with the Stand By Me program, discussing what we've learned from the past year, and how to move forward into the new year ready for success. Specifically, this program covers:

Post-Covid what have we learned from a financial perspective? What have we seen?

• Increased opportunity...

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Jude Liszkiewicz and Karen Summa, two long-time coaches with the Stand By Me program. On this program, they dispel a number of myths about credit, and also define a number of common financial terms. Come learn from these two highly-experienced coaches!

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financ...

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Dinette Rivera, the Lead Trainer for the Stand By Me program. Ms. Rivera is a University of Delaware (U.D.) Customized Learning Solutions Instructor.  She is a U.D. Certified Financial Coach Trainer and Certified Financial Coach.  Ms. Rivera has trained hundreds of Financial Coaches for the Stand by Me Financial Coaching Program since it's inception over ten years ago.

Stand By ...

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Kevin Gilmore, CEO, and Heather Barony, COO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, to discuss Stand By Me's partnership with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, how that partnership serves the needs of residents of Sussex County, the importance of housing security in fostering a safe and healthy community, and some of the factors impacting people's ability to purchase a home in toda...

April is National Fair housing Month.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Denise Freeman, Community Services Director, and Ron Sudler, Stand By Me Coach, from NCALL to discuss the importance of fair housing, the longstanding partnership between NCALL and United Way of Delaware, and how the Stand By Me program helps NCALL fulfill on its mission.

NCALL is a nonprofit organization based in Dover, Delaware, that specializes...