GOLDSBORO, N.C. — United Way of Wayne County convened approximately 75 community leaders, nonprofit partners, educators, business representatives, and public officials on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, for its Third Issue Focus Summit, aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty across Wayne County.
Held at the Goldsboro Event Center, the summit centered on seven key factors contributing to poverty and provided a forum for collaborative discussion on community strengths, service gaps, leadership needs, and resource challenges. Participants worked together to identify areas where coordination can be strengthened, gaps in services and funding, existing programs producing positive results, and opportunities for greater alignment and long-term impact.
The input gathered during the summit will assist the United Way of Wayne County Board of Directors in selecting two to three priority focus areas for sustained investment and collective action.
“By bringing together diverse voices from across our community, we gain a clearer picture of where our systems are working and where additional support is needed,” said Sherry Archibald, Executive Director of United Way of Wayne County. “This summit represents an important step toward building sustainable solutions to poverty.”
The Issue Focus Summit is part of United Way of Wayne County’s broader Issue Focus Transformation, a strategic initiative designed to shift the organization from traditional funding models to targeted, measurable community impact. Currently in the second year of a three-year transformation process, the effort emphasizes data-driven decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term solutions that address poverty at its roots.
“Our goal is to create lasting change,” Archibald said. “This transformation ensures that our resources, partnerships, and programs are aligned with the greatest needs in Wayne County.”
Findings from the Third Issue Focus Summit will be compiled and reviewed by the Board of Directors in the coming months to help guide future strategic investments and community initiatives.
United Way of Wayne County thanked all participating community leaders and partners for their engagement and contributions.
For more information, visit www.unitedwayne.org or contact Sherry Archibald at 919-735-3591
