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RWU Impact Update
Stay Updated on Our Programmes, Events, and Initiatives
Welcome to the RWU Impact Update, where you can track our progress and activities throughout the year. We believe in transparency, impact, and continuous engagement, and this section is designed to give you an interactive view of everything we’ve accomplished so far.
Quarterly Highlights
Q1 2025
Already donated 5 computers and paid 5 different yearly internet services for families in need
Celebrating Raleigh’s Changemakers
with Key2life Fitness for The Social Hike and dodgeball ok
with City of Raleigh Stormwater Rewards Program
Provided resources in financial literacy and workforce development
RWU career pathway platform
Provided support for three businesses to secure proposals: 2 for Unique Agility, 1 for Peaceful Homecare
Aligned members
Stay engaged with RWU and follow our journey as we create impact, quarter by quarter.
Bridging the Digital Divide with Connect Raleigh
Empowering Students Through Technology
On February 11, 2025, we launched Connect Raleigh , an initiative bridging the digital divide in the RDU area. Thanks to our donors' incredible generosity and our community partners' dedication, we are making a tangible impact!
Your Donations Made a Difference
With your support, we have:
Provided 5 laptops to students in need, to enable them engage in online learning and access educational resources.
Collaborated with organizations like Project Access and Neighbor-to-Neighbor, who helped us identify families struggling with digital access.
Connected 5 families with reliable Internet solution, making remote learning and job search possible.
By working together, we are creating a more digitally inclusive Raleigh where everyone has the opportunity to succeed!
Expanding Our Vision: The Next Step
Connect Raleigh is beyond providing technology; it fosters connections.
In April 2025, we are launching new Connect Raleigh event, a Networking Mixer focused on bringing together professionals, experts, and stakeholders to connect people with the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need. Whether you’re looking for mentorship, business networking, or a way to support others, this initiative will bridge the gap between those who need help and those who can offer it.
See Visual Highlights for the Impact your donations have made
View gallery
How You Can Be a Part of This Movement
Donate a Laptop
Have an extra laptop? Your donation can change a student’s life!
Join the Network
Are you an expert, mentor, or professional? Help us build stronger connections by sharing your skills and experience.
Fund the Future
Every dollar donated helps expand our reach, provide more devices, and support digital training.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we are making Raleigh stronger, safer, and better connected!
RWU Spotlight - Celebrating Raleigh’s Changemakers
At Raleigh With Us (RWU), we believe in the power of community and the impact of recognizing individuals shaping the future of the Raleigh-Durham (RDU) region. That’s why, on February 13, 2025, we launched RWU Spotlight - a biweekly initiative that highlights entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders making a difference in their industries.
Impact So Far
Since its launch, RWU Spotlight has featured three remarkable series of changemakers, including a special International Women’s Day (IWD) edition, amplifying the voices of women leading change. Here’s what Dr Omosude had to say “This was very unexpected and also reminded me that, if you maintain integrity, remain purposeful and do your best to impact others, your work will never go unnoticed"
Through our website, social media, and newsletters, these individuals have gained increased visibility, strengthened their networks, and inspired countless others. Their stories showcase the passion, resilience, and innovation that drive Raleigh forward.
Be Part of RWU Spotlight!
Know someone making a difference? Nominate them today! Help us recognize and uplift those shaping our community.
By spotlighting local heroes, RWU Spotlight celebrates achievements and fosters meaningful connections that drive even more significant change in the RDU area.
Join us in celebrating and supporting the changemakers who make Raleigh With Us!
The Social Hike
On March 15, 2025, RWU teamed up with Key to Life Fitness to host an exciting Social Hike - bringing together Raleigh’s professionals, fitness lovers, and community members for a refreshing outdoor experience with a purpose.
Connecting through movement - We took a scenic route through Raleigh’s beautiful outdoor spaces, blending fitness with meaningful conversations.
Listening to the community - Through fun and insightful on-the-trail interviews, we gathered valuable feedback on what Raleigh residents want in future RWU programs.
Expanding the RWU Network - This activity enabled us meet new people, share stories, and strengthen our community.
Capturing the moment - From breathtaking views to a group chorus of “Let’s Raleigh Together!”, we made unforgettable memories.
Relive the Experience!
Watch Event Highlights & Testimonials - See firsthand what made this hike special!
Be Part of the Next Adventure!
Loved this event? Want to be the first to know when the next RWU outdoor fitness or networking event happens?
Let’s keep the momentum going - because community is built step by step!
RWU x City of Raleigh Stormwater Rewards Program
RWU has officially partnered with the City of Raleigh’s Stormwater Rewards Program to support residents in building eco-friendly solutions, like rain gardens and cisterns, that reduce flooding, protect local streams, and improve groundwater quality.
Program Benefits
Reimbursement Program
Raleigh homeowners are eligible for up to 70% reimbursement of approved project costs.
Residents in disproportionately impacted communities may qualify for up to 100% reimbursement.
Eligibility
Open to all Raleigh residents who pay the city's stormwater utility fee.
Projects must enhance water quality beyond existing city or state regulations.
Early Access Success
RWU is guiding three community members through the full reimbursement process, helping them install their rain gardens at 70% cost coverage, making green infrastructure more accessible in our neighborhoods.
Why Rain Gardens?
Rain gardens naturally filter stormwater, remove pollutants before runoff reaches local waterways, and reduce erosion. They also beautify outdoor spaces and support thriving ecosystems.
RWU is proud to help make this opportunity available to more Raleigh residents.
RWU x Project Access & Neighbor-to-Neighbor — Expanding Community Access
In Q1 2025, RWU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with two leading nonprofits: Project Access of Wake County and Neighbor-to-Neighbor. This formal partnership significantly expands our ability to support Raleigh residents through resource donations, joint programs, and volunteer engagement.
Why This Matters
Wider Reach: Through these partnerships, RWU can now extend support to over 100 additional constituents, offering access to workforce development and financial literacy resources.
Unified Volunteering: RWU Community members will have new opportunities to volunteer across shared service areas.
Targeted Giving: A new resource matching system ensures that donations like laptops, clothing, and educational tools reach those most in need.
RWU x NCCU: Advancing Capital Access through the GAFC Grant
In February 2025, RWU submitted a collaborative grant proposal under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s GAFC competition, partnering with North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Business School to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in undercapitalized communities across Raleigh-Durham.
Why This Matters
Capital Access for Underserved Communities
The proposal addresses a critical gap in capital formation, targeting entrepreneurs who face barriers due to limited financial literacy, mentorship, and access to funding networks.
Academic-Community Partnership
Through our partnership with NCCU, we aim to deliver inclusive and impactful programming, merging academic expertise with community-rooted engagement.
Holistic Support Model
Our proposal outlines a three-part solution:
Investment Literacy Training for entrepreneurs
Emerging Fund Manager Training to increase local funding stakeholders
A One-Stop Digital Platform for accessing funding pathways, certifications, and investor connections
Looking Ahead
If awarded, this grant will allow RWU to:
Launch pilot programs in partnership with NCCU for underserved founders
Support entrepreneurs with customized tools and training for capital readiness
Develop a first-of-its-kind platform connecting small businesses to funding, mentorship, and infrastructure
This opportunity represents a major step toward our mission of building a more inclusive and dynamic innovation ecosystem in Raleigh-Durham and beyond.
RWU Business Support - Empowering Entrepreneurs through Targeted Services
RWU supports founders at every stage through personalized business development services with strategic consulting, proposal assistance, startup coaching, and branding expertise.
Proposal Support: Helping Businesses Compete
In Q1 2025, we worked closely with three businesses to prepare and submit competitive proposals:
Two for Unique Agility, targeting public sector opportunities
One for Peaceful Homecare, a growing non-medical homecare provider
Our support included proposal writing guidance, positioning strategy, and compliance reviews, helping these businesses secure valuable contracts.
New Business Launches
We also helped two individuals successfully launch their businesses, providing hands-on support with:
Business registration and compliance
One-on-one coaching sessions
Early-stage brand development and identity
Branding Audits & Business Positioning
In collaboration with our in-house team and partner network, RWU conducted detailed brand audits for three local enterprises:
Agape Clinic
Urgent Mindset Consulting
A third small business focused on improving its digital visibility and customer engagement
This work helps Raleigh-based businesses position themselves for long-term growth and success.
RWU Community Service Program - Aligning Purpose with Impact
In March 2025, RWU supported community members in completing their community service hours by connecting them to meaningful volunteer opportunities. Each placement was thoughtfully designed to align with both the personal interests of our volunteers and the immediate needs within Raleigh’s communities.
We worked with various individuals, including students, professionals, and justice-involved residents, to ensure they had access to structured service experiences that made a real difference.
RWU played a central role in:
Matching individuals with service roles that support local nonprofits and city-led programs
Tracking and verifying community service hours to support formal documentation requirements
Guiding volunteers toward initiatives that promote equity, sustainability, and neighborhood improvement
Through this program, we’re helping people give back in meaningful and transformative ways for the community and the volunteers themselves.
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