Community Resiliency

Every community deserves the opportunity to prosper. At United Way Broward, we partner with volunteers, donors, businesses, local governments, and agencies to build a resilient community ready for any challenge.

We strengthen Broward County’s foundations for a sustainable future through:

• crisis hotline and response
• emergency preparedness
• disaster relief and recovery
• public policy and advocacy

“I have been involved in United Way Broward’s public policy efforts for many years, and there is nothing like experiencing the power of being a voice for others, raising awareness for the needs in our community, and being a part of implementing news laws and legislation that change and save lives. I’m very proud to be among so many members of the Public Policy Committee who lead with courage, compassion, and conviction.”

— Stella Tokar, President/CEO of B.O.L.D. Consulting, philanthropist, donor, and long-time member of United Way Broward’s Public Policy Committee

United Way Broward's in-house initiatives for Community Resiliency include: 

211/Crisis Hotline

When facing a crisis, individuals need immediate access to reliable services. Every hour, someone in Broward contacts 211 for help with housing, food, abuse, depression, or childcare.

Supported by United Way, 211 Broward is a 24-7 helpline connecting residents to crisis, health, and human services. In 2024, the 211 network in the U.S. handled over 16.8 million requests, and Broward ranked among Florida’s busier centers. Hundreds of residents in our community receive daily assistance from trained counselors offering confidential referrals.

211 provides:

• crisis support for suicide prevention, emotional distress, domestic violence, and abuse
• basic-needs referrals for food, housing, shelters, and utilities
• health and wellness guidance, including counseling and substance abuse treatment
• disaster and pandemic services for hurricanes, COVID-19, and other emergencies
• child and family resources such as childcare and parenting support
• accessibility by phone (dial 211), text (898211), online chat, email, and mobile app
• multilingual availability - English, Spanish, and professional interpreter lines for over 180 languages

By offering round-the-clock access, 211 reduces ER visits, prevents crises from escalating, and strengthens resiliency. Its data-driven, real-time dashboards also help policymakers allocate resources effectively.

Emergency Preparedness

Broward County is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, floods, and tornados. United Way Broward mobilizes resources, coordinates with agencies, and ensures residents have support before, during, and after disasters.

Broward County is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, floods, and tornados. United Way Broward mobilizes resources, coordinates with agencies, and ensures residents have support before, during, and after disasters.

We combine proactive planning, education, and rapid response. Working with the Broward County Emergency Management Division, we align community response plans with official protocols. Residents receive resources to create personal emergency plans, understand evacuation routes, and access shelters. Through 211, we provide real-time updates and referrals — helping families connect quickly to food, shelter, medical care, and counseling services.

Disaster Relief

Natural and man-made disasters have devastating impacts on communities, including loss of life, personal injury, illness, home displacement, and property destruction.

• The 2024 hurricane season produced 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.
• In June 2024, Broward endured 20 inches of rain in 48 hours, flooding multiple cities.
• Nearly 22.4% of Broward's population - nearly half a million people - is considered at-risk during disasters.

United Way Broward responds by mobilizing volunteers, distributing supplies, and funding frontline agencies. We coordinate shelter operations, food distribution, and mental health support, and we put a special focus on vulnerable groups such as seniors, Veterans, and people with disabilities.

Recovery extends beyond immediate relief. We help rebuild homes, restore healthcare access, and provide counseling to address trauma. Our ability to pivot from emergency response to long-term recovery makes us a cornerstone of Broward’s resilience strategy.

This strength is amplified through collaboration with 27 other local United Ways across Florida, pooling resources, advocating for legislation, and directing funds to the hard-hit communities.

Public Policy and Advocacy

Our advocacy addresses the challenges facing ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These families earn above the poverty line but struggle to afford housing, food, healthcare, childcare, and transportati

We convene clients, providers, and leaders to identify challenges and study evidence-based solutions. Findings culminate in the annual ALICE Report, a key tool for educating elected officials and guiding policy. Our efforts have brought over 600 community members into direct conversations with legislators. Each year, volunteers — including our Women United delegation — travel to Tallahassee to meet with policymakers.

In 2026, our consensus legislative agenda focuses on these areas:

Healthy Community

• supporting legislation that increases access to healthcare and behavioral health prevention and treatment services, with an emphasis on reducing disparities in underserved communities
• advocating for policies that expand affordable healthcare coverage, healthy food access, and housing stability for ALICE households

Youth Opportunity

• increasing targeted state funding to expand Community Partnership Schools as a proven model for addressing the educational, health, and social needs of students and families
• prioritizing School Readiness funding based on performance and community need to maximize resources for working families

Financial Security

• supporting policies that address the rising cost of living by expanding workforce housing, improving wage growth, and helping essential workers afford to live where they work
• advocating for the privatization of TANF funding by reallocating program administration to qualified community-based nonprofit organizations to improve efficiency, accountability, and impact

Community Resiliency & Veterans

• supporting legislation that provides landlords and property managers with financial incentives and risk protections to encourage housing opportunities for income-eligible Veterans experiencing homelessness
• advocating for expanded access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to support recovery for Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mental health conditions

For more information about United Way Broward’s public-policy efforts, contact BSuarez@UnitedWayBroward.org