United Way Of SA and Bexar County: Support Beyond Measure
Last Updated: 03 Jun 2020
COMMUNITY SERVICES
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, a well-known name within the San Antonio community, has a clear goal: to help community members achieve and maintain self-sufficiency to the greatest extent possible.
United Way works hard to help people care for each other in practical, everyday ways— to “unite” people, resources, and strong community partners to improve lives.
A Valued Community Partner
United Way is a generous donor and partner to many nonprofits (including Endeavors!), raising money to provide much-needed support for thousands of children, families, and individuals across Bexar County. These funds (over $40 million each year!) are then distributed to area non-profits via gifts and grants.
A supporter of our Fairweather Family Lodge program for nearly two decades, United Way’s partnership with the Endeavors organization has proven just how valuable to the community they are. Through a grant called the Ready Children Impact Council & Strong Individuals and Families Impact Council, United Way has helped us change the lives of the many women and children experiencing homelessness who reside at the Fairweather Family Lodge.
While we are extremely grateful for their partnership and support over the years, we are absolutely in awe at the way they have stepped up to help others during the COVID-19 crisis.
Financial Support During COVID19
As COVID-19 continues to have a huge impact on cities, states, and countries, charitable partnerships have never been more important; and United Way has been showing up in incredible ways.
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County began surveying nearly 200 nonprofit organizations on a weekly basis at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis in an effort to assess the impact of the outbreak on their operations.
What they found in their survey results was that the issues facing the community amidst COVID-19 are complex and connected. While all area nonprofits are doing their best to provide for those they serve, they still need additional support.
Seeing the immediate and long term needs of the community, United Way, together with the San Antonio Area Foundation, created a COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support individuals, families, and the community struggling in the wake of the new virus. To date, the organization has received over $3.2 million in donations and has awarded over $2 million to San Antonio nonprofits in need of assistance.
Messages of Hope
While financial aid and contributions are much needed and appreciated, United Way of San Antonio is going beyond that of monetary contributions. Beginning an initiative to show gratitude to first responders and frontline workers, United Way began a “Thank-a-Thon.”
Hashtagged, #ThankSanAntonio, this campaign invites local residents to share their appreciation for the many people in the community who are working tirelessly on the front line to serve and support San Antonio and surrounding communities during this challenging time.
Locals can create a quick note, video, or photo that expresses thanks via the United Way website, then the organization takes user submissions and sends them to local hospitals, first responders, school districts, grocery retailers, the foodservice industry, childcare centers, researchers/scientists and small businesses— all in an effort to make sure people know they are appreciated.
In this Together
Whether it be through financial help or a message that will brighten someone’s day, United Way is continually proving that “together, we will overcome this pandemic by making sure the most vulnerable among us are taken care of.”
Thank you to United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County for your continued support. If you would like to donate to Endeavors emergency COVID-19 response fund for vulnerable families and individuals, please consider giving today. Any amount goes a long way.
About Endeavors
Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit www.endeavors.org.