An Exclusive Interview With Kathy Dowling & Ebonie Bailey

Introduction

Bob and Lyn Turknett, the co-founders of Turknett Leadership Group, have been donors to United Way of Greater Atlanta and members of the United Way Tocqueville Society for many years. They have also been passionate volunteers, serving on campaign cabinets and on the Tocqueville cabinet.

Bob and Lyn live in DeKalb County, a county where there is both great wealth and great poverty. Both believe that we are all responsible for each other and particularly responsible for the children in our community.  They see United Way, because of its ability to convene the community and have impact together, as a way to give dollars and time in ways that really make a difference.

Ebonie Bailey, Senior Director of the Tocqueville Society and Leadership Giving at United Way of Greater Atlanta, and Kathy Dowling, retired officer at AT&T and another passionate United Way donor and volunteer, contributed to this article. Ebonie is on staff at United Way of Greater Atlanta and Kathy is another passionate donor and volunteer.

For those who may not be familiar, how would you describe United Way’s core mission and the communities it serves?

Ebonie: United Way improves lives. What I really love about United Way—and how I’d describe it—is that we’re a convener. We bring together communities, organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and community members across 13 counties. We lead with integrity, responsibility, and vision to address immediate needs while also strengthening systems for long-term success.

Our goal is to help every child unlock their full potential by improving education, healthcare, and economic mobility in the communities where we live. I mentioned earlier a stat that really stays with me: children who grow up in poverty have only a 4% chance of getting out of poverty in their lifetime. That’s staggering. At United Way, we don’t accept those odds. Our work is focused on changing them—so that all children, no matter where they’re born, have the chance to realize their potential and build lives that can sustain themselves, their families, and their communities.

Kathy: I think that’s the most important point. If you start anywhere, it’s with what you just said, Ebonie. That 4% number is staggering—and it’s true. Children born into low-income households in our 13 counties have an incredibly small chance of escaping poverty. It’s hard to even absorb.

From there, the question becomes: How does United Way help change that? And like you said, it’s because United Way is a convener. There are so many nonprofits out there—some duplicating each other’s work, some leaving gaps—and United Way steps in to coordinate and connect. Lyn talks about this a lot. I might personally want to give to Motel to Home because it’s close to my heart. Then I might go to a homeless shelter and want to give there too. But when I give to United Way without designating, they know exactly where the money needs to go to achieve our goal of helping kids in Georgia get out of poverty. And that’s important: this isn’t about somewhere far away. This is right here at home.

Ebonie: That’s such a good point, Kathy, because it leads to our Child Well-Being Index. Sometimes people push back and say, “Why shouldn’t I just give directly to an organization?” The Index helps them understand what United Way of Greater Atlanta actually does.

We’ve done the research. The Child Well-Being Index looks at key indicators across the Greater Atlanta community so we know where the greatest needs are. We can look at a county—Fulton, Henry, wherever—and clearly see what the most urgent needs are there. That allows us to allocate resources where they’ll have the greatest impact. That’s the biggest difference. We’re a connector. We bring everyone together and say, “Here’s where the need is. Here’s where we should focus.”

Kathy: And this Child-Well Index actually goes all the way down to the street level. We can point people to it on the website. I was with Lyn one day in her area—which is generally a very nice area—and she said, “Go down this one street.” So I did. And everything changed on that street. It was like crossing a line between the haves and the have-nots within the same neighborhood.

People often think poverty exists only in certain places, but the Index shows how close it really is. In Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb—those are huge counties. The Child Well-Being Index tells us exactly where the need sits: where single mothers are barely holding on, living in motels and spending all their money just to survive, one step away from homelessness. Those are the takeaways people don’t always know, and they matter.

What are some of the most meaningful or high-impact initiatives you’ve seen United Way lead in recent years?

Ebonie: We mentioned Motel to Home earlier, and I do want to talk about its goals. The goal of Motel to Home is to move families out of motels and into stable, permanent housing by collaborating with agencies in the community. That’s one of the initiatives that really demonstrates the impact United Way can have. Motel To Home: Working Together To Build A Stronger, More Resilient Greater Atlanta | United Way Of Greater Atlanta

Another important initiative is the Science of Reading. This is a research-based approach drawn from education, psychology, and neuroscience that equips children with the skills they need to become confident, proficient readers—and we know that readers are leaders. The Science of Reading has already proven to be very impactful in the Greater Atlanta community.

 At United Way of Greater Atlanta, we’re committed to improving literacy and educational equity through initiatives like Literacy and Justice for All. Our work with Literacy and Justice for All has shown how effective partnerships can create lasting change in education.

Kathy: And the Science of Reading is something Lyn talks about all the time—she’s incredibly passionate about the trials and research behind how children learn to read.

Ebonie: Yes, exactly. I’m glad you mentioned that. I had the opportunity to speak with Lyn at our 120th anniversary event, and hearing her passion for the Science of Reading was inspiring. She really digs into the research and understands how impactful it is, especially since every child learns differently. Being able to customize approaches to reading and see real-time results makes such a difference. She even sent me an article about the Science of Reading recently. I had to mention this because, like her, I’ve become really passionate about this research-based approach. It’s proven to be effective.

Kathy: And I don’t know if you can add a link or reference to Lyn in this section, but reading what she sent to all of us made the work even more impactful. She comes from this background and I don’t, so I learned so much from it—especially that children learn differently and that United Way has embraced that. It’s the most excited I’ve seen Lyn in a while. She’s always enthusiastic, but she’s really passionate about this.

Another major initiative—if you wanted to do a call-out—is the work Women United has done around reducing child human trafficking in Georgia. They helped change several amendments and pushed forward significant advocacy efforts. It’s a huge area of impact. While it’s not directly tied to Motel to Home, it reflects the same commitment: protecting vulnerable children and giving them a chance to heal and succeed. United Way works not only on the elimination and prevention of trafficking but also supports the centers that rehabilitate survivors, provide services, and help them rebuild their lives.

What originally drew you to work with United Way, and what keeps you passionate about this area?

Kathy: I think my story starts with the fact that I always knew about United Way because of my company, AT&T—but I only knew it from the perspective of donating. The moment I retired from AT&T, I was finally able to attend a United Way Tocqueville Society-First Tuesday luncheon. That’s where I met Bob and Lyn Turknett and so many other people who, honestly, opened up my next career path.

It really opened my eyes to the Greater Atlanta community in a way I hadn’t seen before. I saw leaders from all kinds of jobs, all focused on child well-being, and that’s what drew me in. Before I even left that lunch, I was already part of the Women United Cabinet. That’s how fast it happened.

What stood out to me was how, when people retire, they often check out of donating or think their corporate responsibility ends. But I see it differently now. Getting involved with United Way opened up a new chapter for me—new opportunities, new people, and a new sense of purpose. I never met people like this in my corporate role. Through Bob and Lyn, I was introduced to Women in Leadership, to Susan, and eventually became part of their award ceremony. It all connected.

And truly, once you check in, you can’t check out. There’s always a need.

Ebonie: Me too—and Kathy is wonderful. She’s the perfect example of a dedicated volunteer. Anytime you work in the nonprofit sector, I tell people that volunteers are our hands and feet; they’re an extension of us in the community.

When you rally great volunteers around your mission, they amplify everything: your message, your mission, your reach—and yes, your money. Those things matter. Volunteering is essential not only to the community but also to how nonprofits function. Some nonprofits truly depend on having the right volunteers in place to operate effectively. It can be absolutely crucial.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to leaders who want to make a real difference through community service?

Kathy: I would say: just jump in. There’s a place for you—whatever time, talent, or treasure you’re able to give. But nothing happens unless you take that first step. And that one moment of stepping in might change someone’s life forever. That’s how lasting change starts.

That’s something I really appreciate about United Way: the impact is lasting. As Ebonie mentioned earlier, you see it in the leaders who come up through the Young Professionals group. Many of the people I work with now were young professionals when I first met them. Now they’re 41—they’re still young!—and they’re doing amazing things across Atlanta. For more information on Young Professionals. Young Professional Leaders | United Way Of Greater Atlanta

I had the opportunity to volunteer with a United Way program called Spark. It supports people who want to start their own nonprofit. I was one of the judges reviewing proposals, and the winner that year was a nonprofit called Goodr. Their idea was so smart: at large events—like your Women in Leadership breakfasts—there’s often a lot of untouched food left over in the kitchen. Goodr built a system with proper vehicles and safety protocols so that event organizers can call them, and they’ll pick up the unused food and deliver it to people who need it.

Now, I see their vans driving all around Atlanta. It’s become a huge success, and it all started with United Way’s support.

For companies that are just starting to explore community service or CSR, where do you recommend they begin?

Ebonie: I think the best place to start is by listening. Sometimes we’re eager to jump straight into solutions, but it’s important to slow down and understand your audience first—what the community needs, what matters most to your employees, and where your efforts can make the greatest impact. Ask thoughtful questions, gather information, and let what you learn guide your approach to community service.

From there, start small. Hands-on projects are a great entry point because they give employees a tangible way to engage. As we talked about earlier, people want to feel purpose—they want to know they’re making a difference. That’s why so many of us volunteer. We want to see meaningful change, especially given the challenges in our communities. The more we can encourage individuals to get involved, the stronger we become collectively.

Kathy: A great example—and one that many companies participate in because it’s fun, simple, and impactful—is the Shoebox Project. I think we’re still doing that, right?

Ebonie: Yes! Great call-out. The Shoebox Project offers year-round opportunities to make a tangible difference in the lives of our unhoused neighbors. By participating, you help restore dignity and hope while providing essential support to those who need it most. If an organization wants to participate, they can reach out to our volunteerism department—Erika Mims does an amazing job coordinating that work. It’s a great way to start small while still making a real difference. Shoebox Project | United Way Of Greater Atlanta

Kathy: And for anyone unfamiliar, the Shoebox Project is exactly what it sounds like: you decorate a shoebox and fill it with essential items. United Way provides a list of what to include. These boxes go to people experiencing homelessness, families transitioning from motels to stable housing, or individuals who’ve had to leave unsafe situations with nothing—survivors of human trafficking or domestic abuse, for example. They often don’t have basic items like shampoo or toiletries, and that shoebox can be a small but meaningful source of dignity and care.

Any final words for our readers?