Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Crouch.
Samantha , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Missouri, and shortly after graduating, I began my career in education. Over the past decade, I taught high school and middle school English, and in my final three years, I served as a behavior intervention coach. Those years shaped my love for supporting students, collaborating with families, and helping people find their footing during challenging moments.
In 2024, I made the difficult decision to step away from education. I didn’t know exactly what was next—I just knew I needed space to breathe and reset. Not long after, a friend who served on the Johnson County United Way Board reached out to tell me they were searching for a new Executive Director and thought I would be a great fit. I’ve always felt called to help others, and the idea of stepping into a role where I could continue making a difference in my community immediately resonated with me.
I applied, fully aware that they were interviewing an incredible group of women. When I was offered the position, I was both honored and deeply grateful. This first year has been a meaningful learning curve—while leadership was familiar to me from my years in education, the nonprofit world brings its own unique challenges and rewards. I’ve learned so much from my board and from community partners who have welcomed me into this work.
Today, I’m truly enjoying building relationships across Johnson County, strengthening partnerships, and helping local organizations thrive. Every day reminds me why I took this leap: because serving others and uniting people for a greater purpose is where I feel most at home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Stepping into a nonprofit leadership role came with its own set of challenges, especially because I am the only paid employee and my position is part-time. There is a lot to manage on my own—from daily operations to community outreach to event planning—and learning how to balance all of that has been a major adjustment.
One of the biggest hurdles has been simply navigating the workload while also building systems that will help our organization grow. We’re still developing a strong volunteer base, and because we’re a smaller nonprofit, I’m very mindful of the time I ask from my Board of Directors. They are volunteers, too, and I want to honor their commitment while also making sure we keep moving forward.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my board, especially our President, Jill Purvis, and our Treasurer, Amy Livengood. They have answered countless questions, given me invaluable advice, and truly helped me grow over this past year. Even though I’m often doing the day-to-day work independently, I’ve never felt alone in this role because of their guidance and encouragement.
Every challenge has pushed me to become more resourceful, more patient, and more confident in leading a growing organization—and I’m proud of how far we’ve come.
We’ve been impressed with Johnson County United Way, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Johnson County United Way is a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth and strengthening families throughout Johnson County, Missouri. We focus on investing in programs and organizations that create real, measurable impact at the local level—because every dollar we raise stays right here in our community.
One of the things that sets us apart is our deep commitment to youth-focused initiatives. Through our Community Impact Grants, we fund school programs, youth organizations, and community projects that meet real needs for children and teens. From basic essentials to enrichment opportunities, we prioritize resources that help young people feel supported, safe, and ready to thrive.
We’re also known for our hands-on community events—Project Warmth, the JCUW Chili Cook-Off, the Old Drum Dog Dash 5K, and our free quarterly sponsored events. These events bring people together, raise vital funds, and make sure families have access to local events they might normally have access to. Whether it’s distributing hundreds of coats each winter or offering mini-grants to local youth groups, our work always centers on meeting real needs for real people right here at home.
Another major pillar of our organization is our 211 initiative, which we’re incredibly passionate about expanding across Johnson County. United Way 211 is a free, confidential 24/7 hotline that connects individuals and families to essential services—everything from food assistance and housing support to mental health resources, crisis help, and beyond. Many people in our county still don’t know this lifeline exists, and part of our mission is to change that. By increasing awareness and access to 211, we’re ensuring that residents never have to navigate hardship alone. One call opens the door to hundreds of resources, and we want every family in Johnson County to know that help is always just a dial away.
As a small but growing organization, we take pride in being accessible, responsive, and deeply connected to our community. Our Board of Directors—made up of passionate local leaders—works diligently to ensure transparency, responsible stewardship of funds, and thoughtful decision-making. We collaborate daily with schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community groups to identify challenges and invest in solutions that create lasting change.
At our core, we believe that when we unite people and resources, we can create opportunities for every child, family, and community member in Johnson County. Our mission is simple but meaningful: We unite people and resources to impact the lives of the youth and our community in Johnson County. And every day, through grants, events, partnerships, and our 211 initiative, we work to turn that mission into action.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t really attribute my journey to luck—good or bad. For me, it’s been much more about character, perseverance, and the willingness to keep showing up even when the path isn’t clear. Timing has played a role, of course, but I think the real foundation has been the relationships I’ve built over the years.
Networking and connection have always been natural parts of who I am. I’ve spent my entire career—whether in education or now in the nonprofit world—focused on serving others, listening, and building trust. Having a service-minded heart has opened doors because people know I’m genuine in my intentions. Those connections, and the trust that comes with them, have shaped every opportunity I’ve had, including my role at Johnson County United Way.
So while luck may have sprinkled itself in here and there, I believe my path has been shaped far more by hard work, resilience, relationship-building, and staying true to my values.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jocouw.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocouw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonCountyUnitedWay/
