United Way Opens New House in Cape Coral
United Way is proud to announce a new United Way House in Cape Coral. United Way Houses are essential links in providing human services to people who need them in the counties served by United Way Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee. The United Way Houses provide space for agencies to reach clients who may not be able to access services outside of their neighborhood or near their work. Many resources are available in a single location.
At the new Cape Coral United Way House, there will be several of United Way’s partner agencies to provide different services to the community. The lead agency for the Cape Coral United Way House is SalusCare.
The Cape Coral United Way House will also be host to the Cape Coral Caring Center on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. They will be serving coffee, donuts and breakfast bars. The only requirement is the need for food. A client can show up, sign in, receive their coffee and donut, and then will be able to collect a bagged lunch. They can also be connected for further services from the main site by filling out some questions the pantry may ask.
Another agency collaborating with United Way is the Goodwill Job Links Service. They will be present on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Job Links service will provide assistance with job placement, interview skills, resume writing, and computer help to those who need it.
The United Way House will also feature the Hope Clubhouse on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Hope Clubhouse is a community of support for adults living with a mental illness. �€‹At the Cape Coral location, the Hope Clubhouse will provide opportunities with employment assistance, education, housing, and wellness.
Additionally, the Cape Coral United Way House will also be providing services from the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Southwest Florida. The Multiple Sclerosis Center will be on site from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. They will be providing therapeutic services, classes, mental health counseling, art classes, seminars, and exercise classes.
The Salvation Army will also be utilizing the Cape Coral United Way House. On Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, they will be providing some light bill assistance for any customers that have FPL and qualify for their Care to Share Program. The Salvation Army will also be able to assist individuals with applications to Medicaid and food stamps through DCF. They will offer toiletries and personal hygiene items to those in need, as well.
The Literary Council Gulf Coast will also be sharing the space. The Literacy Council is committed to improving the English and Reading skills of adults and children throughout Lee, Hendry, and North Collier Counties. They will be offering their services on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Last but not least, the Cape Coral United Way House will provide services from Legal Aid Self-Help Center. This service will be open for free legal advice to persons wishing to represent themselves in all types of court issues. During these sessions, the Lee County Legal Aid Society will also accept initial applications for free legal advice and counsel through case representation in Family Law matters with minor children. These services will be offered on Thursday evenings starting August 1, 2019. They will also be offered every first Saturday of the month, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The agencies that provide services through the United Way House work together to see that both the immediate need that brings the person or family to the house, and longer term needs that can prevent future crisis are available. The immediate need for food may allow the house staff to assist the family in finding employment, or other services that will help the family become more stable and self-sufficient.
SalusCare, Inc. is a Fort Myers, Florida based not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse service provider incorporated in 2013 after the merger of Lee Mental Health Center and Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS). SalusCare has eight locations throughout Southwest Florida and serves nearly 16,000 people each year. Our fees are affordable and may be adjusted to the means of our patients based on household income. SalusCare accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Visa, MasterCard and some major health insurance providers. SalusCare provides services for all regardless of disability or handicap. All substance abuse programs and most mental health services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has raised and distributed over $177 million since its establishment in 1957.
All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way Partner Agencies and initiatives include: The Alvin A Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and United Way 211, to mention a few. These agencies serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, and meeting critical needs like helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.
To reach the United Way House coordinator, call (239)-242-0401. People in need of information and referral assistance to health and human services should contact United Way 211. Simply dial 2-1-1, (239)-242-0401, or visit the United Way website at www.UnitedWayLee.org.