88,982
Community service referrals made by 211 Helpline Resource Specialists
United Way supports our community in times of crisis by connecting people to local resources, helping the community prepare for and recover from disasters, and playing an active role in Palm Beach County’s disaster management efforts.
The 211 Helpline provides information, assessment, and advocacy, connecting people in crisis to local agencies that can help. 211 also provides critical crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. This free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
United Way of Palm Beach County has a long history of preparing for and recovering from disasters. Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, United Way took a leadership role in local response and recovery efforts. Shortly after, Palm Beach County Government named United Way as the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 15 – Volunteers and Donations in its Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Since that time, United Way has put the Emergency Support Function 15 – Volunteers and Donations Plan (ESF-15) into action by responding to several hurricanes: Charlie, Francis, Jeanne, Wilma, Irma, Maria, Dorian, Ian and most recently, Hurricane Milton.
As the lead volunteer agency for Palm Beach County’s ESF-15 plan, United Way actively supports relief efforts before and after a disaster. We recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers year-round, and we open a Volunteer Reception Center to mobilize volunteers when disaster strikes. As a leader in times of crisis, we work closely with officials to develop a more effective disaster management plan.
With the rise in occurrences of human-made disasters such as mass violence, United Way supports county Emergency Management’s all-hazard approach. Through these efforts, United Way is dedicated to ensuring all residents of Palm Beach County and our community partners are ready for the next crisis.
