Monica found herself homeless after the passing of her mother and had nowhere to turn. Everything seemed to spiral out of control in the blink of an eye. She had nowhere to live, and was struggling to keep her car, since she was unable to pay her bills. No home, no family to turn to, and now on the brink of losing everything. Monica was referred to the Success Training Employment Program (STEP) by a transitional housing program for the homeless and wasted no time. Upon completing our 4-week STEP program, Monica landed a full-time job, with benefits and a salary that allowed her to obtain an apartment of her own and keep her car. We are thrilled to report that Monica is now working towards a managerial position at her current job and is living completely self-sufficiently.
Corporate Group Volunteers
This is the Headline
Calling All Volunteers!
We Need Your Help!
At UP Orlando, we are proud to serve our community during these challenging times, and we need your help! Join us in empowering families and individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency. With over 500 families relying on our Grocery Program every day, volunteers are crucial to keeping our shelves stocked, our store organized, and our space welcoming. Your support alongside our dedicated staff ensures that every family – your neighbors – has a dignified and positive experience when they visit.
Interested in a team-building volunteer experience? Find out more!
To schedule your group volunteer experience, please email the following information to Karlye at kmartorelli@unitedagainstpoverty.org:
- Phone Number
- Company Name
- Number of volunteers (estimate is fine)
- Date or date range you wish to volunteer
Learn more about where you may be volunteering:
What To Expect
When your team volunteers on campus, you can assist in areas such as:
- Cleaning, organizing, and stocking shelves in our Member Share Grocery.
- Cleaning, organizing, and stocking household items in our Member Marketplace.
- Taking inventory in our Emergency Food Pantry.
- Sorting donated Business Professional clothing in our STEP Clothing Closet.
- Or wherever else there is a need on campus.
What To Wear
- Sneakers are required for your safety (no open-toed shoes).
- Comfortable clothing is recommended—please avoid tanks and leggings, though it’s ultimately up to you.
- Choose attire that allows you to move freely and stay comfortable throughout the event.
Do's & Don'ts
Do's
- DO bring a bottle of water
- DO park in the back parking area
- DO show up 10 minutes early
- DO bring your amazing energy and make a difference in our community!
Don'ts
- DON’T bring any valuable items, leave them at home or in your car! We do not have any lockers!
- DON’T park in the front parking lot
- DON’T Wear open toed shoes or heels
Testimonials
“BBA has volunteered many times in 2024 at UP Orlando and it has always been an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed our team to connect with the community in a meaningful way. Whether it was at UP Market, assisting to organizing UP events or participating of the Quack Attack fund raise run, we truly gained a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. It is so inspiring to see the impact UP has in the community and that our small actions can have on others, and it’s an experience me and BBA team we will always cherish, and hope will last for a long time.”
~Luiz Pisanelli, VP CRA Services & Small Business Lending Officer at BB Americas Bank
“The work they do at United Against Poverty Orlando is truly commendable. Volunteering with them has been a truly fulfilling experience for our team as it has provided Westgate volunteers with meaningful opportunities to make a tangible difference in the lives of local community members. By working directly with UP Orlando, our Westgate volunteers gained insight into the challenges faced by individuals striving for financial stability, and the critical role community support can play in overcoming these barriers. Organizing groceries, setting up the clothing closet, conducting mock interviews, and participating in the Workforce Development Forum allowed our volunteers to build valuable skills in teamwork, leadership, and community engagement. These experiences fostered a deep sense of connection, empathy, and accomplishment among volunteers, as they saw firsthand the impact of their efforts on families in need. We also gained knowledge of critical resources and can share with our friends and family who may be in need of assistance.”
~ Krystal Pepeta, CorpOps Learning and Development Coordinator, Westgate Resorts