Grim ready to take on United Way challenge
By DAVE GOSSETT, staff writerArticle Photos
STEUBENVILLE - The United Way of Jefferson County has met its 2009 campaign goal of $440,000.
The announcement today came as welcome news from Nancy Jo Grim, who assumed the executive director's duties just two weeks ago.
Grim said she always has enjoyed helping others during her varied jobs and career moves. Now, as executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County Grim finds herself in a position to help local agencies and countless numbers of area residents.
Grim took over the United Way duties on Jan. 1 following the resignation of Suzanne Kresser after six years on the job.
"I know I have a long way to go, and I have a lot to learn. But I am working at learning everything I can and at one point it will all click in. Suzanne has been a big help to me, and I know I can call her as I encounter different issues during my learning process," said Grim, who has taken over managing the local United Way as the agency has extended its campaign until Thursday.
"I am very pleased that we met our goal. Of all the United Way agencies in Ohio, only four have reached their goal, and we are third in our division for the percentage of money raised. Our United Way actually has a remarkable success story," said Grim.
She attributed that success to the United Way volunteers and the board of directors.
"I think the fact Suzanne stayed six years in a very demanding job and was so successful was in part because of the support she has received from the agency's board of directors. We have a group of people there that are ready to step up when the need arises. The same is true for the people who volunteer or lead the divisional campaigns," said Grim.
The 2009 Live United campaign aided 21 area agencies
Her move to the executive director's job at the local agency comes after what Grim calls a career that was varied "and unique."
"I have always enjoyed working for local nonprofit agencies, but this position is unique in that my work will help to create long-lasting changes for local services by addressing the underlying causes of problems in our community," explained Grim.
"This area has faced tough economic times, and the entire country is now facing those same economic issues. But as we prepare for our future campaigns I believe will will have to be even more creative. Perhaps companies or individuals can donate services toward the campaign. Or we can piggyback on other donations. But we must all be ready to make a strong commitment and know we can't do this alone," noted Grim.
"We will have to examine our available resources and see how to make those resources work best for all of us. Many times we fail to see all that we have to offer the community. We all have resources we can give," Grim said.
She originally moved to the Wintersville area from Pennsylvania when she was 8 years old. After graduating from Ohio University, Grim served as a drug elimination coordinator and drug prevention specialist at the Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority before moving to the job of admissions coordinator at the Brightwood Nursing Home.
"I applied for the United Way job six years ago but the time wasn't right for me.
"I became program director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which I absolutely loved. To help retired people to volunteer for others was a very rewarding job for me," she noted.
"I look forward to taking on more of a challenge with this job. It's the work that matters and the results from this, work have a definite tangible result," Grim commented.
"I love living here in the Ohio Valley. There are so many good people that have such a deep capacity to love others. I am excited about this new position and the New Year," she said.
(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
