Who We Are

WE ARE MOTHERS, FATHERS, SISTERS AND BROTHERS. WE ARE MEN AND WOMEN, CHILDREN AND ADULTS. WE ARE FAMILY, WE ARE COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF STRENGTH AND SELF RESILIENCY.

Our Story

In underserved communities, inequities are interconnected. This means that the solutions we create to address those inequities must also be interconnected. Founded in 2006, Men and Women United for Youth and Families is a nonprofit community organization with a comprehensive, holistic approach to improving the lives of the residents of Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties, NC.

Our mission is to promote education, resource awareness and to provide services to assist in creating independent and self–sufficient youth and families in our community. We believe that each family is the driving force behind their own success. Our programs assist, enrich, and enlighten each family member with valuable resources and educational opportunities to enhance the quality of their lives.

About Our Executive Director

Randolph Keaton’s passion lies with serving disadvantaged people in our rural communities, particularly through promoting youth leadership, to ensure that our residents reap the benefits of investments in social, economic, and environmental justice today and into the future.

Mr. Keaton was born and reared in Riegelwood, North Carolina. He received his early education in the Bladen County school system before graduating from Acme Delco High School in 1979. In the fall of that same year, he enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T State) where he received his BA in Political Science in 1984. While serving in the United States Air Force, Mr. Keaton obtained his MA in Human Resources Development for Webster University in 1988.

He has over 20 years of experience in the Human Services field, having worked for organizations such as the New Hanover County Department of Social Services, Columbus County Mental Health and the Wilmington Housing Authority. In addition to his work with Men and Women United, he currently serves as a Counselor for The Boys and Girls Home of Lake Waccomaw, and on the Feast Down East Board of Directors, where he has been a member for several years. You can read more about Mr. Keaton here.

Our Supporters

We are an organization by our community, of our community, and for our community. As we’ve grown, we’ve been thrilled to join forces with a number of local, state, and national organizations. These partners have helped us scale our work and make an even bigger impact on the lives of people in our community. We offer a special thanks to our current partners and funders.

PARTNERS

MWUYF collaborates with local partners to serve the Tri-County area.

Community Support Agency
Local Community Colleges
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
NCWorks Career Centers
Cape Fear Area United Way
Bolton, East Arcadia, and Sandyfield Towns (B.E.S.T.)
Brunswick, Bladen, and Columbus County Schools

FUNDERS

Our funders invest in our work, providing financial support for MWUYF's programs.

Board of Directors

Randolph Keaton

Executive Director Riegelwood,
NC Director, Men and Women United for Youth and Families

Ricky Graham

Chairperson Riegelwood,
NC Disabled, Volunteer worker

Maria Madison

Vice-Chairperson Delco, NC Principal, College Park Elementary

Paula Greene

Treasurer Delco, NC School Counselor, Alderman Elementary

Althea Weaver

Secretary Riegelwood, NC Civil Division Supervisor, Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court

Perry Dixon

Riegelwood, NC Small Business Owner Town Councilman, Sandyfield

Kirby Graham

Riegelwood, NC Lab Technician, Hexion Corporation

Gwen Williams

Riegelwood, NC Resource Coordinator, Four County Community Services

Laura Waddell

Bolton, NC Certified Nurse Assistant II, Columbus County

Dave Parks

Riegelwood, NC Business Owner, Parks Trucking