Join the Story: A Campaign of Courage, Connection, & Community

At United Way of Ashland County, we believe stories have the power to connect us—and to change lives.

That is why our upcoming 2026 campaign theme is Join the Story. This year, we are inviting everyone in our community to be part of something bigger: a shared story of resilience, support, and transformation.

We are honored to have Nicole and Robert Hawks, along with their two children, Rose and Carter, return as our Campaign Chairs. Last year, Nicole bravely shared her personal journey – growing up with little family support, facing hardship at a young age, and finding strength through the encouragement of teachers and mentors who saw her potential. Her story didn’t just inspire, it opened a door.

After Nicole spoke, community members came forward to share their own experiences – many for the first time. Her vulnerability sparked a dialogue that reminded us: none of us are alone. We all have chapters of struggle and chapters of triumph. And when we tell our stories, we give others permission—and the safety—to share theirs.

That is the heartbeat of this campaign.

Every day in Ashland County, people turn to United Way’s partner agencies during some of their most difficult chapters—when they are fleeing abuse, seeking shelter, facing food insecurity, or working to rebuild their lives. These agencies don’t just offer services, they offer support, dignity, and a path forward.

This year’s campaign will highlight one of those powerful stories. This year’s campaign will feature a powerful three-part video series launching this summer, following the journey of a young domestic violence survivor from Ashland County. With support from multiple United Way partner agencies, she accessed safe housing, job assistance, and emotional healing—and today, she is thriving, recently promoted by a local employer who values her strength and resilience. Narrated by Campaign Chair Nicole Hawks, the series takes us from crisis to stability to hope, showing how community support can transform lives—and how each of us has a role to play in that change. Her journey is just one of many that shows what is possible when a community comes together.

When you give to United Way of Ashland County, you are not just funding programs. You are investing in people, your neighbors, coworkers, and friends. You are helping write the next chapter in someone’s life: a chapter filled with safety, stability, and hope.

As Nicole leads this year’s campaign, she brings not only her voice, but a deep understanding of what it means to be seen, supported, and empowered. She will guide us through this story of resilience, and we hope it will inspire each of us to recognize our role in writing the next chapter for Ashland County.

Join the Story. Whether you give, volunteer, or share what United Way of Ashland County means to you, you are helping us create a community defined not by hardship—but by hope.