Kunes Car Convo - United Way of Milwaukee & Waukesha Co.

On this episode of Kunes Car Convos, we took a drive in the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir and had an honest conversation about work, opportunity, and what it really takes to build a stable future. Bill Ederer sat down with Gevonchai Hudnall from United Way Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County to talk about a bold community goal that is already delivering measurable results.

Gevonchai did not begin her career in the nonprofit world. She started out as a teacher at Bradley Tech, which many people also know as Milwaukee Tech. After a friend left teaching to join United Way, Gevonchai saw firsthand the impact the organization was making in the community.

She realized that was where she wanted to be.

She set her sights on making the transition and went for it. Nearly five years later, she is still with United Way Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and it shows. When she talks about this work, it is clear that it is more than a job. It is personal.

The initiative Gevonchai discussed is called Reducing Barriers to Employment and Advancement. The goal is clear — and ambitious.

By 2029, United Way wants 15,000 people to be ready to start stable careers because they have successfully overcome major obstacles that often block access to better jobs.

This is not about placing someone in just any position. It is about helping people step into career paths that can support a household and create long-term stability.

Through research and community partnerships, United Way identified three major barriers that repeatedly prevent people from advancing.

1) Education and Skill Gaps

Many people want better jobs but lack the specific skills today’s market demands. Training programs, certifications, and career coaching help close that gap and prepare individuals for stable employment.

2) Transportation

Transportation remains a major challenge — especially when many good-paying jobs are located in suburban areas. Some individuals do not have a driver’s license. Others lack reliable vehicles. Public transportation options often do not align with job locations or schedules.

Without reliable transportation, opportunity can feel out of reach.

3) Support for People Returning From Incarceration

Individuals returning home from incarceration often face steep barriers. Housing, job training, employment opportunities, and mentorship are critical. Without support, it is easy to fall behind again.

United Way works closely with partner organizations that specialize in addressing these needs and helping people move forward.

Although the initiative is still in its early years, progress is already significant:

• 5,000 people have become ready to start stable careers after overcoming key barriers
• About 700 people have gained employment
• 125 arrest records have been expunged

That last statistic carries enormous weight. A record can block access to jobs, housing, and opportunity. Expungement can remove a major barrier and provide a true second chance.

Gevonchai made an important observation about perspective. Online, people measure impact in likes and views. In real life, 700 people gaining employment is powerful. That represents 700 lives moving in a better direction.

United Way does not attempt to solve these challenges alone. Gevonchai explained that the organization operates as a convenor, following a collective impact model.
In simple terms, United Way brings partners together around shared goals. They reduce duplication of efforts, track outcomes, and scale the programs that are working.

The focus is on collaboration — ensuring effective solutions reach more people.

United Way begins many of its meetings by sharing personal success stories. It is a reminder that behind every statistic is a real person.

A Banking Career Path Through Banks Works

One story Gevonchai shared involved a young woman who participated in a program called Banks Works. Through training and support, she developed the skills needed to begin a career in banking.

Gevonchai shared something that resonated deeply. When people think about helping others, they often imagine the most extreme situations. But sometimes impact is smaller — and still incredibly meaningful.

Sometimes someone just needs the right boost at the right moment.

She compared it to adding salt or sugar to a recipe. It is not a complete overhaul. It is a small addition that changes everything.

A Second Chance Built on Soft Skills

Another story involved someone who returned home, made another mistake, but ultimately found success through a partner program.

A key factor? Soft skills.

Showing up on time. Communicating respectfully. Interviewing well. Handling feedback. Many individuals were never taught these fundamentals, yet they are essential to keeping a job and building stability.

Gevonchai was clear about one thing: investing in programs like these is not a handout. It is a hand up.

Most people facing hardship are not there by choice. They need access. They need opportunity. They need someone who genuinely believes in their potential.

United Way works to provide that belief and the support systems to back it up.

One program Gevonchai highlighted is United for Good, a partnership between United Way and Goodwill.

It is a CNA training program designed to remove the real-world costs that prevent people from pursuing career training. The program provides:

• Laptops
• Scrubs
• Testing fees
• A participation stipend

That stipend matters. Bills do not pause while someone is working to improve their future.

Participants can also receive referrals for child care and transportation support. As Gevonchai explained, that is what it means to support the whole person — not just the job application.

When asked whether people hesitate to ask for help, Gevonchai pointed to awareness as a major factor. Many people simply do not know what resources exist.

That is why 211 is so important. By calling 211, individuals can connect with information and local resources that match their needs.

Like many nonprofits, United Way’s biggest ongoing challenge is funding. The need often exceeds available resources, and sustaining programs requires continuous community investment.

That makes fundraising and public support essential.

United Way Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County raises funds in several ways. Gevonchai mentioned workplace campaigns as one of her favorites. She also described a “giving win” initiative, where donors who increase their contributions are entered into a drawing — and United Way personally delivers prizes.

She appreciates that it creates a tangible connection between donors and impact.

Beyond financial contributions, she emphasized the importance of volunteerism. Dollars matter, but so does time, talent, and presence.

United Way’s work extends beyond employment. Additional focus areas include:

• Safe and Stable Homes, aimed at ending family homelessness and strengthening support systems
• Teen Mental Wellness, building mental health infrastructure within high schools
• Techquity, working to close the digital divide by distributing free laptops

Gevonchai shared that United Way employs approximately 80 to 100 staff members, along with seasonal campaign staff. For those passionate about community impact work, she recommends visiting the careers section at https://unitedwaygmwc.org/

This conversation served as a powerful reminder: many people are not far from turning their lives around. Often, progress comes down to removing one key barrier at the right moment.

Sometimes that barrier is transportation.
Sometimes it is job training.
Sometimes it is an arrest record.
Sometimes it is simply having someone believe in you.

United Way and its partners are working every day to remove those barriers — and to create real pathways forward for thousands of people across Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County.