Orlando nonprofit damaged by Hurricane Ian celebrates big upgrade to their low-cost grocery

February 01, 2024

United Against Poverty Orlando (UP Orlando) can now serve more of our Central Florida individuals and families in need after installing brand-new freezers and coolers at its grocery shopping center near downtown Orlando. Every day, 450 families who are under the 200% Federal poverty line use the on-site Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP) to pick out a variety of nutritious foods that have a nominal shipping and handling fee. The program enables individuals and families to save money so they can pay their other monthly housing, utilities, transportation, childcare and medical bills. The brand-new freezers and coolers mean individuals and...

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Mayor Demings declares January United Against Poverty Awareness Month

January 17, 2022

Mayor Demings declares January  United Against Poverty Awareness Month January 11, 2022 Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proclaimed January as ‘United Against Poverty Awareness’ month. The proclamation falls in line with January being national Poverty Awareness month. As an integral partner, Orange County government has played a pivotal role in supporting UP Orlando with delivering wrap-around services to empower people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic self-sufficiency.

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Charities in 2021 faced wild ride as COVID pandemic tested limits

January 14, 2022

Charities in 2021 faced wild ride as COVID pandemic tested limits At United Against Poverty Orlando — where 400 people a day turn for food, rental aid, job training and other help — Executive Director Nancy Robbinson describes a sort of financial whiplash. “If you were in a social-service type program like ours where you’re helping people, 2020 was a crazy year. I really think people were sitting at home, afraid, unable to go out and do things, and they just wanted to do something to help,” she said. “So they took the money that they would normally spend on vacations and...

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12 ways to help others in Central Florida this holiday season

January 14, 2022

The holidays are a time when many of us are filled with little extra joy and goodwill. Maybe you want to help others but aren’t sure how.  That’s why, each year at this time, I reach out to nonprofit leaders throughout Central Florida for suggestions on how you can make a difference — in ways that will last well beyond Christmas.  Some require only a few minutes or a few dollars. Others are more substantial, but can make more of an impact. See what fires up your yuletide spirit. What better way to instill the value of volunteerism in your...

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United Against Poverty Receives $80,000 Investment from Heart of Florida United Way to Stabilize ALICE Households

September 28, 2021

We are so grateful for the support from Heart of Florida United Way who awarded an $80,000 investment to United Against Poverty Inc. Orlando on September 9, 2021 as one of five selected nonprofit organizations receiving a total of $250,000 to help further their commitment to strengthening our communities. Together with Adult Literacy League of Central Florida, Christian HELP Foundation Inc. , Grace Medical Home, and JFS Orlando, we will use this money to support ALICE families, which refers to families who are asset limited, income constrained, employed. This is yet another way that we are working to help inspire and empower people to lift themselves from poverty into economic...

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United Against Poverty joins Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity Initiative

September 10, 2021

We are so proud of former UP Orlando Programs Director, Ericka Garcia, and our CEO, Gwendolyn Butson, for their involvement in this year’s Child Protection Summit, hosted by Florida Department of Children and Families. We are thrilled to be a part of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, guiding Floridians to the resources they need! Together, we can help lift lives to economic self-sufficiency. “The non-profit community fits hand in hand with the mission of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, and it is United Against Poverty’s vision to ensure families have access to basic needs so they can achieve...

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Meet Madeline Clem, Volunteer Coordinator

June 15, 2021

Madeline Clem is an Orlando native and a University of South Florida alumna. She has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at United Way Suncoast, and most recently served as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative in South Florida, where she recruited and managed volunteers for the organization’s outreach programs. She is excited to be at United Against Poverty as the Volunteer Coordinator and serve her hometown community. We’re so grateful to have you on the team, Madeline!

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Meet Susan Makowski, Grant Writer

September 23, 2020

Susan Makowski, joining UP as the new Grant Writer, has over 25 years of experience in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. She has a proven track record in achieving financial milestones and looks forward to serving us on a permanent basis. Susan has currently been serving on the United Against Poverty Executive Board as our inaugural Advocacy Committee Chair. Welcome to the team, Susan!

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Meet LaSonia Landry, Community Board Member

September 23, 2020

Please join United Against Poverty Orlando in welcoming one of our newest Community Board Members: “After learning that UP Orlando’s vision included providing everyone with the opportunity to achieve a future filled with hope and possibilities, I knew I had to get involved. UP’s work to increase positive outcomes for our most vulnerable populations through the grocery and STEP programs allows individuals to provide for their families and learn valuable skills that enhance their futures. These initiatives are imperative to creating a culture where everyone, regardless of economic status, has a safe and healthy place to live, work, learn and...

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STEP’s First Virtual Class

September 23, 2020

On Friday August 7, UP Orlando’s Success Training Employment Program (STEP) celebrated the fourth graduating class of 2020. Five new graduates completed the 120-hour curriculum for improving emotional intelligence and building workplace and job acquisition skills These graduates are seeking employment in a wide range of fields including health care, clerical work, and engineering. Our first all-female class of students bonded closely during their time in Phase I which was conducted every day using Zoom’s real time video chat rooms and an educational platform containing the daily curriculum of assignments and coursework. Tears of joy during graduation speeches confirmed the...

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