On this episode of Flippin' the Switch, we highlight how United Way of Onslow County shows what happens when generosity works like infrastructure—steady, practical, and built to last. Raquel Painter joins us to share how small, consistent acts can have a real impact: students are fed through the CHEW program, families gain access to fresh produce, and neighbors move from crisis to stable housing with wraparound support.
Raquel walks us through their model—funding vetted nonprofits, coordinating a volunteer network that runs smoothly, and expanding food access through a community garden that’s now growing into plans for a 28-acre farm. That future farm will supply disaster relief hubs and help the community learn where to turn long before an emergency hits.
We also dive into their transitional housing project: 111 units designed with on-site services for therapy, substance-use support, documentation, banking, and job pathways that help people rebuild long-term. United Way’s reentry efforts show what’s possible when barriers come down.
And in a rapid-fire segment, Joe—our lineman preparing to join NRECA International in Guatemala—reminds us how technical skills can become life-changing service. Bringing electricity to a village opens doors in education, health, and opportunity.
Want to help? Volunteer through Volunteer Onslow, donate at uwonslow.org, or share this episode with someone who believes local action creates lasting change.
