When disaster strikes, rural communities face unique challenges that compound the negative impacts. Complicated federal funding equations often leave rural communities behind and resources can be spread out and more time-consuming to access after a disaster.
United Way of Southwest Virginia, with help from donors, nonprofits, and other community partners, can help. Our established system for processing large volumes of online gifts and our network of volunteers and partners allow us to rapidly scale and resource the community in times of need.
Southwest Virginia Regional Rapid Disaster Response Fund
United Way of Southwest Virginia announces the development of the Southwest Virginia Regional Rapid Disaster Response Fund.
This fund will be set up as a financial resource set up to provide immediate financial assistance in the aftermath of natural or humanitarian disasters. These funds are designed to be deployed quickly to support emergency response efforts, such as providing food, shelter, medical care, and other urgent needs for affected communities.
The primary purpose of such funds is to ensure that resources are available at the onset of a disaster, allowing relief organizations to mobilize quickly and effectively. The community will be encouraged to donate to this fund throughout the year in order to allow UWSWVA to build this fund for the moment it is needed.
Please note, these funds may be subject to an administrative fee.
These fees ensure that the fund is properly managed and can continue to function smoothly, helping to achieve the intended goals of the donation. Without these fees, the organization may not be able to sustain the infrastructure necessary for managing the funds and carrying out its mission.
Citizen Recovery Program
United Way of Southwest Virginia is happy to announce our Citizen Recovery Program (CRP). This CRP was established with the mission to provide financial assistance for citizens who are recovering from Hurricane Helene. Funding will be provided as a payment directly to the business, vendor, landlord, or contractor that will be supplying your recovery efforts.
If you were directly affected by Hurricane Helene, whether this included home damage, displacement, rental or utility needs, landscape cleanup, loss or damage to personal property or vital documents, financial loss, food shortages, or education support, we encourage you to submit an application to receive assistance from this CRP while funding is available.
First round open application period: February 07 - February 28, 2025.
Financial assistance will be determined based upon the needs of the household and funding available at the time of the application. More details are provided within the CRP application.
Examples of approved funding are:
- Financial and Household Needs Assistance – help with rent, utilities, basic household items (e.g. clothing, cleaning supplies), temporary housing/emergency shelter, employment assistance, legal aid, and transportation access.
- Food Assistance – access to meals (e.g., food pantries, meal delivery), and/or financial assistance to purchase food.
- Health Supports – assistance accessing mental and physical health services, prescriptions, medical supplies, and emergency room visits.
- Educational Supports – assistance related to setting up temporary school sites, student transportation, school supplies, setting up community-based learning sites, school clean-up; and relocation of teachers, students, and administrators.
- Other services and supports - as determined and identified by impacted populations, community-based organizations, and specific communities, to meet the evolving needs of the communities impacted by the Disaster.
***Funding for this program is limited and we may not be able to provide payments to all applicants. Please submit a completed application within the timeline so it will be provided full consideration.
For printed applications or questions, contact the Disaster Recovery Coordinator at:
Email: drice@unitedwayswva.org
Phone: 276-525-0974
