United Way of South Sarasota County is expanding its case management support program to better serve those who have been affected by Hurricane Ian and are searching for support and assistance. More than $4,616,290 is needed to help financially, and more than 440 residents living in our service area still need help with community resources and referrals.
Direct case management will continue throughout the year thanks to funding from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. This expansion gives residents a place to find solutions and assistance for those who still feel the effects of a natural disaster and can benefit from a long-term recovery program.
The Intake Specialist will refer the client to one or more of our partners, including the UWSSC Case Managers, for comprehensive disaster case management, monitoring progress, and identifying community resources.
Individuals and families struggled to make ends meet beforeCOVID-19, record inflation, and the devastation of Hurricane Ian; 38,497 already lived below the poverty line, and Sarasota County residents represented approximately 8% of the nation’s unemployed and over 9% of our nations homeless. Hurricane Ian has exacerbated those numbers, and the need for aid in the areas of housing, utilities, food, fuel, mental health, etc. has increased 100% just for immediate needs.
Barbara Cruz, President and CEO of United Way of South Sarasota County, said, “People are getting real time help through case management assistance. Through the expansion of our offices and services, we can help people directly in our community. By focusing on meeting the immediate needs of a family or an individual, we help lead them to a more stable future. We are here to strengthen our community and support our residents in having an equal opportunity for success.”
“Every person should be able to access resources after a disaster,” commented Teri A Hansen, President | CEO of Barancik Foundation. “United Way of South Sarasota County has done a great job uniting community and area organizations to provide solutions and preventive measures for future disasters.”
For more than 55 years, United Way of South Sarasota’s goal has been to help create long-lasting changes and partnerships by addressing the underlying causes of problems that affect low-income families, children, seniors, and individuals from reaching their full potential. We believe that everyone deserves the same opportunities to succeed in life.
In addition, the mission of the Long-Term Recovery and Resiliency Program of UWSSC works to strengthen area-wide disaster coordination within Sarasota County by fostering efficient and streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort through the four phases of disaster: preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.
To learn more about the long-term recovery and resilience program, contact 941-484-4811 or visit www.uwssc.org.
About Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
The Charles and Margery Barancik family has long believed in the power of philanthropy to shape our world and enrich the lives of all people. It was the expression of this belief that led them in 2014 to establish Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation—a private, family foundation located in Sarasota, Florida. Barancik Foundation creates initiatives and awards grants in Sarasota and beyond in the areas of education, humanitarian causes, arts and culture, the environment, and medical research. For more information, visit www.barancikfoundation.org.
