Guest commentary: Building stronger, more resilient communities
Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties are fortunate to have so many highly rated, highly effective nonprofits working diligently to shape our society and provide hope for a brighter future.
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is proud to be among this group providing resources, programs and services that improve the lives of everyone in Southwest Florida. The organization is one of 1,800 regional affiliates of United Way, each of which is an independently incorporated nonprofit with its own grant-making guidelines and local board that makes funding decisions.
From providing therapeutic pets for Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL to offering free tax preparation for low-income households to advocating for military veterans, United Way’s impact is felt daily across Southwest Florida.
Please join me in recognizing and celebrating these organizations and others on National Nonprofit Day, commemorated on Aug. 17. The annual observance encourages citizens to take some time to learn more about nonprofits operating in their community.
That includes nonprofits such as Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida. Hope Clubhouse supports adults living with a mental illness by providing opportunities for paid employment and access to education, housing and wellness. By working together with United Way, Hope Clubhouse can connect more deeply with its audiences, building stronger, more resilient networks of support.
Hope Clubhouse Chief Executive Officer Lauren Walker had this to say about her nonprofit having an opportunity to collaborate with United Way: “Southwest Florida is a naturally collaborative community. For a smaller nonprofit like Hope Clubhouse, nothing speaks to this more than being part of the United Way agency family. We are honored to work closely with United Way through their many programs. Access to these programs directly impacts our ability to increase the quality of life for our members.”
As a new applicant and award recipient starting in January of 2025, the United Way has opened doors for Trailways Camp to a broad range of collaborative relationships and potential partnerships that will improve the lives of adults with special needs and their caregivers.
“We are participating in virtual provider network meetings, with introductions to a variety of community providers and opportunities to make personal contacts leading to potential partnerships,” Trailways Camp Director Jamie Senkeleski said. “There are opportunities for the distribution of information about Trailways Camp and how we can address such great numbers in need of healthy living opportunities and through overnight camping experiences and overnight respite for caregivers.”
As a new organization with start-up capacity building needs essential to grow outreach and impact, the United Way has favorably considered Trailways Camp’s initial grant request that will spur outreach to hundreds of entrants from special education programs each year.
As United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades gets set to commemorate National Nonprofit Day, we will reinforce our dedication to creating positive, lasting change in the Southwest Florida communities we serve. By focusing on education, income and health, and leveraging the power of collective action, we continue to build stronger, more resilient communities. This again proves that together, we can make a difference.
Matt Humphreys is president of the board of directors for the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades. For more information, visit https://unitedwaylee.org/ or call 239-433-2000.