WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS

At any given moment, a person can experience job loss, hunger, rising rent, utility bills, fire, hurricane or a pandemic. When individuals or families need help or experience a life event, disaster or crisis; the impact often has a ripple effect on their job, education, health and safety.

Thanks to United Way donors, many people find relief through the work of our Safety Net Impact Council partners. We help 24/7/365 through our 2-1-1 Helpline. As home to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Camp Bullis, San Antonio is known as Military City, USA®. MISSION UNITED connects active-duty service members, reservists, Veterans and their families to vital community resources. We also help people across Bexar County prepare for the unexpected when disasters strike.

Here are stories from several of our Impact partners who provide a lifeline to others when the unthinkable happens.

Family Finds Help During Christmas-time Home Fire

One week before Christmas, a family of four in Bexar County fled their home when a fire erupted in the evening. Thankfully, all four members escaped safely, but the home was uninhabitable. An American Red Cross San Antonio Area Chapter volunteer was on call and responded to the event. He was able to immediately provide direct financial assistance, arrange for a COVID-friendly hotel stay, and begin the necessary casework that would help the family begin the road to recovery. He also referred them to the United Way 2-1-1 Helpline for access to further community support.

Single Mom’s Holiday Made Brighter Following Apartment Fire

During the winter months, the opportunities for household or apartment fires increase due to electrical issues or faulty heaters. In some cases, Greater Randolph Area Services Program (GRASP) is able to provide assistance with vouchers for clothing, dishes, household goods, and some key pieces of furniture. Shortly before Christmas 2020, a small family lost their apartment to fire, and although nothing completely burned, it everything was unusable. GRASP was able to provide donations for them to restart, as well as providing additional holiday decorations, tree, toys and food to make their holiday a little brighter. For a single mom with two children, these little things made a big difference during a very challenging year.

Food, Clothing and Furniture Bolster Mom and Children after House Fire

A local mom arrived at the Salvation Army San Antonio Area Command with a Red Cross referral after losing her and her children’s belongings in a house fire. She was given a clothing voucher, a furniture voucher and provided with monthly food box service assistance. Able to retrieve more belongings later, she was grateful for the assistance and food provided for her children and herself.

Please click here to see the list of all our nonprofit partners supporting people in crisis. We’re grateful for their work in providing emergency and disaster care services to help stabilize individuals and families by meeting their most immediate needs.