The loss of a job can be difficult enough for a household to handle. But when Samantha P.’s husband was out of work, the transmission on their only vehicle went out, too.
“It just felt like everything was becoming impossible,” she said. “It still kind of feels that way. But he just started working again, so that’s helping a lot.”
Before the job loss, Samantha, who lives in Kansas City, Mo., says she and her family had never needed to reach out for support from the community before.
“That was the first time I had to look for help,” said Samantha. “It sucked because we kept getting disconnection notices and I literally couldn’t do anything about it. We couldn’t get any loans. So, I just started looking around for anything that could help.
Kristina K. of Grandview, Mo. was in a similar boat. She’d never needed to ask for help before, either. But her hours had been cut back at work and she was struggling to make ends meet.
“It was pretty rough,” Kristina shared. “And I’ve been worried we might go through it again, because I was let go from that job. I don’t want to end up homeless. But I’m starting a new job, so I’m hopeful I can get back on my feet.”
UNITED HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS STATEWIDE (UHONS) PROGRAM
Samantha and Kristina ultimately got connected to one of United Way’s Impact 100 partners that was participating in the UHONS (United Helping Our Neighbors Statewide) initiative.
The statewide United Way partnership helps Missouri households facing immediate financial hardship with essential expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation and childcare.
For Samantha and Kristina’s families, being able to take care of past-due utility bills and avoid disconnection was the lifeline they needed to get through a challenging time.
“Oh my God. That help was everything to me. You don’t understand,” Kristina shared. “Especially for someone that doesn’t have family around or any support system here in Kansas City. It meant a lot, and without it, I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it.”
THE IMPACT YOUR GIVING MAKES
When families like Kristina’s and Samantha’s face unexpected life challenges and financial instability, United Way is there. It’s thanks to generous support from our community that programs like UHONS are possible.
Here’s how UHONS has impacted Kansas City area families this year:
- $337,009 in financial support to individuals & families in need
- Support delivered through 19 local nonprofit partners
- 305 households provided direct financial assistance
- Critical housing, utilities, transportation and childcare costs covered, averting more long-term impacts to household financial security
Give today to help Kansas City families create resiliency and stability.
NEED EMERGENCY FINANCIAL HELP IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA?
If you’re facing a financial emergency and need assistance with rent, utilities, food, or resources for caregiving, healthcare, youth and more:
Call 211 (Available 24/7 in 150+ languages. Free and confidential) or visit 211KC.org to connect with resources. United Way 211 connects residents of Kansas City and 23 regional counties to more than 7,000 resources, including emergency financial assistance programs.