1.5 Million Reasons to Believe

When crisis hits—a lost job, a medical emergency, a family in danger—there’s a web of support waiting to catch Indian River County residents, and at the center of it is United Way.

United Way of Indian River County announced it is awarding $1,528,036 in funding to 49 community programs for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. This investment touches nearly every part of the county and every stage of life, supporting essential services in health, education, and financial stability.

This year’s funding includes:

• $615,960 for Health

• $501,550 for Education

• $410,526 for Financial Stability

The funding decisions were made through the organization’s rigorous Community Investment Process, in which almost 100 trained local volunteers serve on Citizens’ Review Panels, carefully evaluating program proposals and conducting site visits to ensure every dollar is used wisely and effectively.

“This is more than just funding—it’s about creating a safety net that’s strong, smart, and ready,” said Dr. Brian McMahon, United Way Board Member and Chair of the Community Impact Committee. “No one hardship exists in isolation. These dollars make sure help is available from all directions—mental health, meals, mentoring, housing, you name it.”

The impact of these programs is far-reaching. Without United Way’s support:

• 24 fire survivors might go without emergency assistance

• 532 children could miss out on critical dental care

• 871 neighbors would lose access to nutritious food

• 139 home-delivered meals wouldn’t reach isolated seniors

But it doesn’t stop there. Many nonprofit partners rely on United Way grants to unlock matching funds from state, federal, and private sources—stretching every local donation further and amplifying impact across the community.

“A gift to United Way is a gift to the entire community,” said Meredith Egan, United Way of Indian River County CEO. “When people come together to support this work, we help ensure that no one falls through the cracks.”

Here are the 49 funded programs and their partner organizations:

• Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County – Respite: Caring for the Caregiver

• American Red Cross – South Florida Region – Home Fire Prevention & Emergency Assistance

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River & Okeechobee Counties – Community Based Mentoring, Passport to Early Literacy

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County – Project Learn

• Camp Haven, Inc. – Pathways to Financial Stability

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach – Samaritan Center for Homeless Families

• Childcare Resources of Indian River – Subsidized High-Quality Childcare, Wellness & Early Intervention Program

• Children’s Home Society – Treasure Coast Region – Dodgertown Elementary Community Partnership School

• Crossover Mission – Accelerate My Potential (AMP), Healthy Kids Program

• Drug Abuse Treatment Association, Inc. – Norman C. Hayslip Treatment Center (Fort Pierce), Outpatient Treatment Center

• Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin & Okeechobee Counties – Strategies for Success in Early Learning Classrooms

• Economic Opportunities Council – Early Head Start

• Gifford Youth Achievement Center, Inc. – After School Education Program (ASEP)

• Hibiscus Children’s Center, Inc. – Career Pathways to Independence Program

• Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. – Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers, Babies and Beyond, Nurse Family Partnership

• Indian River Habitat for Humanity – Critical Home Repair Program

• Literacy Services of Indian River County, Inc. – Adult & Family Literacy

• Mental Health Association in Indian River County – Walk-In & Counseling Center

• Mental Health Collaborative of Indian River County – McCabe Connections Center

• Redlands Christian Migrant Association, Inc. – Enhancing Early Learning and Family Support Services

• SafeSpace, Inc. – Domestic Violence Services

• Senior Resource Association, Inc. – DayAway Program, Senior Navigation Program, Meals on Wheels/Emergency Meals

• Sunshine Physical Therapy – School Readiness through Occupational & Speech Therapies

• The Arc of Indian River County – Behavioral Analysis Program, Supported Employment Program

• The Hope for Families Center, Inc. – Helping Homeless Families Achieve Success

• The Learning Alliance, Inc. – Moonshot Academy

• The Salvation Army – Homelessness Prevention and Social Services

• Thrive – Prevention Works!, Recovery Works!

• Treasure Coast Community Health, Inc. – Dental Services

• Treasure Coast Food Bank, Inc. – Mobile Pantry

• Treasure Coast Girls Coalition – Seeds of Change STEAM Pathway

• Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, Inc. – Homeless Resource Center

• United Against Poverty, Inc. – Success Training for Employment Program (STEP)

• Veterans Council of Indian River County, Inc. – Veterans Case Management and Direct Aid

• Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast – Telehealth: Chronic Disease Management Program

• Youth Guidance Mentoring Program – The Mentoring Academy and Pre-Apprenticeship Program

These programs will be funded from July 2025 through June 2026 thanks to local donors like you and corporate partners who support United Way’s annual campaign.

To get involved, donate, or join a Citizens’ Review Panel, visit www.UnitedWayIRC.org or call (772) 567-8900.