Stories - Community Impact

Peter, an 86-year-old Navy veteran, worked for Local 25 for 50 years. As the years went by, Peter’s home had its fair share of potential safety concerns. After being introduced to United Way of Long Island’s Older Adult Home Modification Program and due to the generosity of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Peter received a new front porch railing, smoke alarms, bathroom and tub grab bars, as well as a ventilation fan. In addition, kitchen renovations included the installation of GFI receptacle outlets, new cabinet doors and drawer handles and fire extinguishers. “As a retired…

Maria, a single mother of three, was drowning in student loan debt. Upon her divorce, Maria was left with limited options to take care of the family. With only one source of income, paying off student loans dropped lower and lower on the priority list. Keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table was of utmost importance.  
When visiting St Brigid’s Church, Maria came across a flyer for United Way of Long Island’s Student Debt Assistance program. United Way helped her navigate through options of student loan repayment and forgiveness.  


“Receiving assistance from United Way of…

When Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012, it upended thousands of lives, including Lily’s. She was a dedicated 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department and a first responder on 9/11. Lily worked hard to pave the way for her children’s future.  
The massive storm’s fierce winds and immense flooding destroyed their house. To further complicate Lily’s situation, she dealt with contractor fraud, putting her in debt and without a permanent roof over her family’s heads. She was discouraged when United Way of Long Island stepped in to help.  
United Way provided financial assistance to…

Carolyn King has 19 screws in her knee and ankle as a result of a car accident. Her husband, Lorenza, has battled lymphoma and her son has special needs. But if you ask Carolyn, she will tell you that she is blessed.
The King family of Shirley, NY, were experiencing difficult times and were faced with the possibility of having to leave their home of nearly 30 years. Illnesses did not allow the couple to work, and the home needed repairs and updates to make it a safe living environment for the whole family.
“Leaving this home was the last thing we wanted,” observed Carolyn King. “My husband…

After nearly nine years U.S. veteran John W. of Mastic Beach is finally home. It wasn't until this year that he was able to move into his newly built home in after it suffered irreparable damage due to Superstorm Sandy. United Way of Long Island reached out to help John by providing him a mobile trailer to live in to give him a place to call home while he waited for his permanent house to be completed.  Welcome Home John!
John writes:
First I would like to thank you all from United Way for coming to my rescue. It’s been several years after being flooded from Hurricane Sandy, which I stayed…

Denise
Project Warmth Recipient
Denise is a strong-willed, full-time working mom of three children... all live at home and all depend on her, which presents its own challenges. But six years ago tragedy struck when Denise’s house was significantly damaged in a fire, which left her and her family in a dire situation. She is still struggling to rebuild her life after this tragedy. More recently, she is caring for her ill mother. 
Given the complex challenges in her circumstance, Denise needed extra help, so she reached out to United Way of Long Island’s community partner, Choice For All, and…

Meshessna
Project Warmth
Meshessna of Freeport is a single mother of two daughters, doing the best she can to retain a sense of normalcy after her divorce two years ago. “I want my kids to be able to stay in their same school, still be close to their friends, live as close to the same life they were living before the divorce,” she explained.
But maintaining this life proved difficult, as now she was managing her household with only a single salary. “While I was married, with two incomes, I didn’t really struggle to pay my bills. Now that I’m a single mother, with only one household income, it…

Regina is a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor who has lost two husbands and two sons. Her third son Arnold, a grown man with several minor disabilities, lives with her and they take care of each other.  
Regina and Arnold frequently attend holiday celebrations and movie nights at the Barry and Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center. The Services to Adults and Senior Adults program, supported by United Way’s Long Island Impact Fund, allows Regina the opportunity to meet regularly with a social worker, and when Arnold is unable to drive her to the Center, a bus is sent to pick her up so that…

Michael was diagnosed to be on the Autism Spectrum as a young child. At an early age, Michael was enrolled by his family into Developmental Disabilities Institute’s Starting Early Program, an initiative supported by United Way’s Long Island Impact Fund.
Upon completion of the program, he successfully graduated into the mainstream educational program of his local school district. As a high school senior, Michael competed in the Para-Olympic Games in Brazil and won the Gold Medal for the 1,500 meter event. He has also been recognized as the first American with Autism to run under a four minute…

Meet Mary - a 9 year old girl with a bubbly personality and a participant in Choice for All’s Student Success Center, a program supported by United Way of Long Island. Mary’s mother was referred to the program by a community member that had a child in the program with similar academic concerns. Mary’s mom is a single mother of two with Mary being the youngest. She expressed concerns about Mary’s struggle with reading comprehension, decoding and spelling. She has to work two jobs because her eldest is on his way to college and she doesn’t have the extra time for Mary as she did with her first…