Dr. Desmond Barrett, of the Ashland Community Kitchen, and United Way's Jerri Compton, right, display a United Way sign. Submitted United Way in Ashland has been part of the area for 85 years, and Executive Director Jerri Compton of United Way of Northeast Kentucky said many members of the community instantly recognize the organizationâs logo, but they might not realize that each United Way is focused on serving the needs of its community. Each individual United Way partners with local government agencies and civic organizations to ensure that residents of the community receive needed services in the most effective way possible.