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Celebrate and share this key community resource
February 11 (2/11) was 211 Day, a day to celebrate our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE and remind our community that there is an easy-to-remember number to call for help, whether you are looking for child care, food, employment assistance, or any other social services assistance: just dial 211.
211 Texas is a vital lifeline, responding to 1.2 million requests for help in 2023 alone. 211 is more than just a number; it provides voice of support at the other end of the line, helping millions of individuals navigate challenges and find the assistance they need. Whether by phone, web chat, or email, our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE local experts are here, 24/7, 365 days a year, to connect our community with free, confidential resources for housing, food, disaster relief, and more.
Explore data from our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE. See the top reasons people are reaching out to 211 and how we are connecting them with help.
When Andy’s wife had a stroke while home in between cancer treatments, he didn’t waste any time getting her to MD Anderson. The couple, who live on a fixed income, jumped in the car without grabbing as much as a change of clothes, and headed to the hospital.
After being at MD Anderson for more than a week, Andy had spent what little money the couple had on food and parking. He was wearing the same clothes he had driven his wife to the hospital in and didn’t have resources or family to turn to for help. That’s when he called 211.
A 211 veterans specialist made calls on Andy’s behalf and helped him get essentials, like toiletries, at the hospital, as well as help with food and parking. After a shower and a good meal, Andy felt like himself again and was able to focus on helping his wife recover. When the 211 specialist called to check on Andy the next day, he and his wife had just returned from a trip outside – her first in nine days – and were getting ready for her physical therapy and full recovery.
When people in our community don’t know where to turn for help, 211 is here. Just dial 211, any time, day or night.
The 2024 Investment Process is here!
Our 2024 investment process kicked off with a Funding Conference on February 15 where we shared everything you need to know about the process and partnership opportunities.
The investment process is United Way’s three-year grant cycle that funds and provides additional supports to the incredible network of funded partners that work together closely and strategically to help our neighbors land on their feet and stay there.
Read the funding announcement and learn more about qualification criteria, eligible services, the timeline, and the process on our website.
Law Initiative considers the future of DEI
United Way’s Law Initiative hosted an enlightening discussion on the legal and ethical dimensions of DEI in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that prohibits universities from expressly considering race in the admissions decision-making process and has private employers asking whether the opinion affects their DEI efforts.
Panelists Carolyn Benton Aiman (SVP & CLO, Sempra Infrastructure); Matthew Deffebach, (Partner, Haynes & Boone); Deborah Gordon (CLO, Memorial Hermann); Shauna Johnson Clark (US Chair, Head of Employment and Labor, United States, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP); Amanda McMillian (President & CEO, United Way of Greater Houston and former GC, Anadarko); Dianne Ralston (CLO, SLB); and Rob Shearer (Partner, Akin Gump) engaged in a thoughtful conversation about the repercussions of the high court’s decision and how companies can balance progress and risk moving forward.
Special thanks to Haynes and Boone, LLP and King & Spalding for graciously hosting this event and making it possible for attendees to earn an ethics CLE credit.
United Way Young Leaders and LINC members brought the heat to their own rendition of Hot Ones on January 30. Renowned chef Chris Shepherd and H-E-B executive and United Way Community Campaign Chair Armando Perez took on the challenge, keeping their cool as they navigated hot conversations and even hotter wings.
Young Leaders Co-Chairs James Crandall and Caitlin Geisinger joined the duo for the “Last Dab,” giving Hot Ones’ own Da Bomb sauce, coming in at 135,000 on the Scoville scale, a shot.
Thanks to all of our Young Leaders and LINC members for joining us and to our Caring Champions, H-E-B, and Stella Artois for sponsoring this event.
There’s still time to support the MLK Jr. Book Drive
Help us collect books featuring diverse characters and written and illustrated by people of color for students in our community! In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, United Way of Greater Houston is partnering with local school districts for a book drive benefitting elementary school students in classrooms across the city.
Find out how to donate books or host a drive.
Donated books will be given to students on March 5, 2024, as part of our annual Read Across America celebration.
Get ready to rock with us on March 1
Grab your leather jacket and join keynote speaker, Jade Simmons, and hundreds of women (and men!) to raise money for the Women Who Rock Child Care Scholarship, which underwrites child care and resources for parents who are pursuing post-secondary education.
Rally your band and get ready to rock on March 1 in The Woodlands.
Get your tickets and tables today!
For event details and RSVP information, check out our events page.
MLK Day of Service/Black History Month Book Drive
*open to all
Monday, January 15 – Thursday, February 29
https://unitedwayhouston.org/mlk-bookdrive/
LC & IC Sort and Social Volunteer Event
*open to Impact Circle and Leadership Circle members and guests
Tuesday, February 27
6:00 – 8:00 pm
United Way Center
Stay United Nonprofit Connection Board Training
*open to Stay United members and guests
Wednesday, February 28
10:00 – 11:30 am
United Way Center
Women Who Rock
*ticketed event
Friday, March 1
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott
Read Across America Day
*open to all
Tuesday, March 5
Various locations
Women’s Initiative Chocolate and Wine Reception
*open to Women’s Initiative members
Thursday, March 7
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Texas Wine School
Montgomery County Alexis de Tocqueville Society Event
*open to ADT members, prospective members, and guests
Monday, March 18
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Truluck’s
Women’s Initiative Happy Hour
*open to Women’s Initiative members and guests
Thursday, March 21
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Private Home
LINC Build-a-Desk Bash
*open to LINC members and guests
Friday, March 22
5:30 – 7:30 pm
United Way Center
Alexis de Tocqueville Society Appreciation Dinner
*open to Alexis de Tocqueville Society members
Tuesday, April 16
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Annual Meeting
*open to board members, partners, key volunteers
Tuesday, April 30
4:30 – 6:00 pm
United Way Center
Campaign Closing Celebration
*open to all
Tuesday, April 30
6:00 – 9:00 pm
United Way Center
Leadership Circle Appreciation Dinner
*open to Leadership Circle members
Thursday, May 16
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Brennan’s
Women’s Initiative Appreciation Event
*open to Women’s Initiative members
Wednesday, May 22
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Houston Zoo