April is National Poetry Month, a time to reflect on how words can connect people, surface hard truths and inspire action. At United Way California Capital Region, it is also an opportunity to ask a question at the center of our mission: What does it mean to be United?
To explore that question, United Way California Capital Region partnered with Andru Defeye, Sacramento Poet Laureate Emeritus, to create a spoken word poem and video that reflects the experiences of individuals and families across our region. The piece brings the organization’s mission to life through storytelling grounded in real community needs.
Poetry as a Reflection of Community
Poetry has long been used to give voice to lived experience. It creates space for listening and understanding, especially when those experiences are complex or difficult to capture through data alone.
In this spoken word piece, Defeye reflects the realities many families and young people face, including financial strain, housing uncertainty and the pursuit of opportunity amid instability. The poem centers on moments that are familiar to the communities United Way serves while emphasizing resilience, dignity and the importance of support.
Rather than presenting unity as an abstract idea, the poem frames it as action. It points to the impact of consistent support, accessible systems and communities that show up for one another. The message is clear: unity is built through care, presence and investment in people.
A Question Tied To The Mission
For United Way California Capital Region, the question of what it means to be united is not symbolic. It directly informs how the organization works with partners, supports families and advances solutions that promote long‑term stability.
The poem highlights situations that mirror this focus. Families facing uncertainty. Young people working toward brighter futures. Individuals navigating transitions with community support behind them. Each reflects the same underlying truth: stability creates opportunity.
That belief drives United Way’s work across the region. Strengthening stability for individuals and families helps create the conditions needed for lasting change not only for those receiving support but for the broader community as well.
The Value of Collaboration
Working with Defeye brought an added layer of meaning to the project. As Sacramento Poet Laureate Emeritus, he brings a deep connection to the region and a commitment to storytelling rooted in community experience.
The collaboration allowed United Way to share its mission in a new format. Spoken word creates an emotional connection that complements traditional nonprofit storytelling. It invites reflection and broadens how people engage with the work.
The video is intended to be shared and discussed. Whether viewers are longtime supporters or encountering United Way’s work for the first time, the piece offers an accessible entry point into the organization’s values and purpose.
Stronger Together
From families seeking stability to young people building brighter futures, the poem captures a guiding principle of United Way California Capital Region: communities are strongest when people support one another.
We are grateful to Andru Defeye, for lending his voice, artistry and care to this powerful collaboration.
We invite the community to watch the video, reflect on the question it raises and consider what being united means in their own lives.
Links & Resources:
👉 Learn more about our work: yourlocalunitedway.org
👉 Learn more about Andru Defeye and his work: AndruDefeye.com