For 75 years, United Way has helped youth like Mike.

“Mike” had a difficult start in school. A shy boy, he was raised by his mother in one of Charlotte’s worst neighborhoods. Lacking confidence and with few positive adult role models, Mike actually failed the first grade. But Mike says his life changed significantly eight years later when he entered Garinger High School and met Renee’ Anthony Leak, the school’s Communities In Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator.

“I actually excelled in high school,” says Mike. “Ms. Leak believed in me and made sure I got the assistance I needed in order to succeed. Through CIS, I gained access to valuable resources and people who instilled discipline, desire and dedication into my every thought.” During his senior year, Communities In Schools – a United Way member agency – was able to arrange a job shadowing experience for Mike at First Union National Bank (now Wachovia Corp.). The experience broadened his perspective and later had an impact on his career path. The same year, Mike was asked to be a guest speaker at the CIS Board of Trustees meeting. In fact, he made quite an impression on a Wachovia executive, who has since become Mike’s friend and mentor.

Mike ended up attending Davidson College – one of the nation’s most selective schools – and even played football for four years. After graduating, Mike joined Wachovia Corporation and is currently a Risk Analyst in the bank’s Risk Management division. He is also a candidate for an MBA from Wake Forest University’s Babcock School of Management.

On how a United Way agency improved his life: Mike says: “Communities In Schools broadened my perspective and empowered me to take the path less traveled.”