The United Way of Lee County

Community Impact Fund:The United Way Community Impact Fund supports over 260 programs throughout a large network of social service agencies. These critical community programs address vital areas such as strengthening families, building resiliency for our most vulnerable populations, supporting youth and empowering communities: 1)The United Way of Lee County Gifts In Kind Program: The United Way Gifts In Kind Program provides nonprofit, health and human services organizations, in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties with access to quality in-kind goods. GIK acts as a liaison between local and national donors, and participating agencies. Continued on Schedule OThe purpose of GIK is to assist agencies in leveraging their dollars while providing donors with an outlet for distributing surplus and increasing their contribution and support of the local community. United Way and its Gifts In Kind Program is leading the Hurricane Ian Donations Committee for the Unmet Needs Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) in Lee County, ensuring all participants with LTRG have up to date information and access to the Program for their clients and organizations. 2) United Way Resiliency Hubs: United Way Resiliency Hubs bring needed services into vulnerable communities through the mobilization of the United Way network and key community partners. These centralized locations provide space for agencies to provide their critical programs, providing over 450,000 services each year throughout the network of 18 locations.

United Way 211 is the connection for community members in need in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties to ensure they can access information and services to remain independent and successful. Whether it be assistance with household financial needs, school uniforms for their children or access to legal services, a caller to 211 is provided resource options to assist. During times of disaster, 211 becomes the trusted emergency information line, providing needed information on resources such as shelters, evacuation routes and recovery services. Veterans and their families are assisted through the 211 Mission United Program linking them to information and services designated for Veterans and active military members. United Way 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 211 or 239-433-3900.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was awarded through a collaboration with the Lee County Government to ensure that 59 Lee County nonprofit social service agencies maintained the organizational capacity to administer 62 projects to help mediate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. United Way was also awarded to maintain the infrastructure requisite to educate potential Sub-Awardees on the application process and functionally administer federal support to all awarded Agencies. A portion of the award received by United Way led to strengthening internal processes and operations, resulting in dramatically enhanced social service programming in Lee County with the ultimate goal of mitigating long-term COVID-19 impacts. Continued on Schedule OMore than $7.2 million was distributed in 2023 to Lee County nonprofit agencies for programming that was directly impacted by COVID-19 such as financial health, rehousing, domestic violence counseling, direct medical/dental attention, etc. Through the administration of ARPA awards, United Way was able to support area nonprofit organizations to reach disproportionately impacted populations and focus on improved community health and well-being.

Other program services for our members in need.