Within 1 week and again at week 3 immediately following Hurricane Irma, the United Way of the Florida Keys disbursed two rounds of mini-grant funding intended to provide fast financial assistance to local, previously vetted agencies already assisting with hurricane relief efforts in the Keys. Through the 16 partners who received funding, UWFK provided assistance to over 1300 Keys families. In addition, 1 partner leveraged United Way funding for additional grants from 4 other foundations or organizations. Mini-grants totaled $116,500, plus the matching grants. Below is a list of what types of services were funded, and the approximate amounts.
Since then, UWFK has provided funds for hurricane relief efforts to a total of 35 community partners throughout Monroe County. Our focus will go beyond the immediate impact to also include mid and long-term recovery efforts. This assistance is part of UWFK’s mission to support working families in the community.
The work we are doing with UWFK’s hurricane relief fund will change many lives in the Keys community. We have already supported thousands of Keys residents from our youngest by replacing damaged items at childcare facilities creating a safe space for children to once again thrive, to our oldest by assisting a senior citizen on a fixed income in replacing her hot water heater as she had no hot water for 4 months following Irma. We will continue to get hurricane donations out into our community and into the hands of those who desperately need it.
