United Way provides nearly $2.2 million in support of food, shelter, and utility assistance program
LAS VEGAS – While many Nevadans are returning to work and the unemployment rate is decreasing, 15% of Nevadans are still unemployed and in need of help to pay their essential bills. United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) announced the release of $150,000 to six organizations in Phase 4 of funding from its Emergency Assistance and Community Needs (EACN) Fund. Among the organizations funded are partners providing direct assistance in the Latino community, which has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic. This funding includes generous support from the Nevada Attorney General’s office for rent and mortgage assistance.
“We’ve received hundreds of calls from individuals looking for assistance, and these new partners will allow us to support people through organizations they already know and trust,” said Kyle B. Rahn, United Way of Southern Nevada President & CEO. “We urge our community to continue to donate to the EACN fund so we can expand this assistance to Southern Nevada’s most under-resourced populations.”
With total community funding of $2,272,605, UWSN is mobilizing its resources to provide food, shelter and utility assistance to those who need it most. 50 organizations requested over $5 million in funding from the UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund. With $2.3 million currently in the fund, UWSN needs the community’s support to help raise $3 million more to provide immediate needs assistance. UWSN is encouraging organizations and individuals to donate at uwsn.org/donate or by texting “UWSNFUND” to 313131.
Individuals can contact Nevada 2-1-1 at 1-866-535-5654 to find the needed resource for assistance from the Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 funding recipients. UWSN is in the process of disbursing funds to the following seven community organizations to meet the immediate needs of families:
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Providing mass shelter options.
HopeLink of Southern Nevada
Providing a food pantry and rent and mortgage assistance.
Leaders in Training
Providing food, rent and utility assistance to students and their families.
Project 150
Providing food assistance for homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students and their families.
R.E.A.C.H. (Research Education and Access for Community Health)
Providing food assistance.
The Cupcake Girls
Providing food, rent, mortgage and utility assistance to sex trafficking survivors and individuals employed in the adult industry.
A local board made up of community leaders determined how the funds were distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local nonprofit direct service agencies in the area.
As a community leader with over 60 years of experience uniting individuals, companies, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies to create positive change in Southern Nevada, United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) has mobilized the community and acted quickly to develop solutions for those in need. United Way of Southern Nevada’s immediate actions to address the COVID-19 crisis include: providing basic needs funding, convening nonprofit and community stakeholders, serving as a hub for volunteers, and creating an asset map of available resources and referrals for the most vulnerable which is accessible at UWSN.ORG/COVID19.
For more information about the UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund, please email COVID19@uwsn.org.
About United Way of Southern Nevada:
United Way of Southern Nevada unites our community to improve people’s lives. We bring donors, volunteers, nonprofits, and businesses together to help children enter school ready to learn, help high school students reach graduation day, and support individuals working to earn a degree or certification, all while creating stability for their families. Together, we step into the ring and invite others to stand with us as a united front against social injustices and forces keeping our community’s most vulnerable residents from a good life. We are bold and innovative to solve our toughest problems. Together, we fight for the future of our community – and we will win. Join us at uwsn.org.
About the UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund
Through the support of the Nevada Attorney General, NV Energy, Bank of America, the Wells Fargo Foundation, Barclays, Charles Schwab, Washington Federal Bank, Target, Las Vegas Billboards, United Way Worldwide, Bank of Nevada, City National Bank, US Bank, Homie, Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, State Bar of Nevada Gaming Law, Korte Construction, CenturyLink, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Paccar,100 Women Who Care, Kichler, Dutch Brothers, Deloitte, Wawanesa Insurance, Stanley Consultants Inc and Noah Gragson Racing. United Way of Southern Nevada launched the UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund. With over 30 years of experience in distributing emergency funding, help will be available through nonprofit organizations who are experienced in providing direct service assistance. To ensure accountability of the distribution of funds, UWSN is following the same stringent guidelines it utilizes for the administration of Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To ensure all donated funds are distributed to needs resulting from the COVID-19 virus and this state of emergency, Bank of America is covering all of their administrative fees and underwriting expenses related to the Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund account so that 100% of the donations go to local needs.