What Happens When Housing Comes with Support?
By Naette Yoko Lee (United Way Worldwide - Impact Story)
February 2026
Reggie and Cristy's Story
Reggie carefully hung his interview clothes on a makeshift hanger inside their tent. The outfit (a button-down shirt and slacks he picked out at The Caring Place) represented everything he was fighting for. He couldn't afford to let them wrinkle, when this job might change everything.
For years, he and Cristy had been living on the margins. Addiction had deprived them of jobs, stability, and a place to call home. Basic things like hot meals or a safe place to sleep felt impossibly out of reach.
Then they found United Way of the Ocoee Region's Housing United program that offered more than a roof over their heads. The program, run in partnership with The Caring Place, connected them with case managers who stuck around, a housing navigator who knew the housing market, and a real plan for long-term stability.
Through Housing United, Reggie was connected with the Cleveland Lions Club, which helped him get a new pair of glasses. It was the first time in years he could see clearly. He landed that job. Karis Community Health provided the dental care Cristy needed. After many years of being ashamed to open her mouth, she started smiling again. That confidence carried her all the way to a shift lead position at Whirlpool and reignited a dream of becoming a social worker. The Housing Navigator at United Way identified a new landlord partner who gave them the opportunity to fulfill a long-time dream of a stable place they got to call home.
Nearly four years later, they're still in their home and about to celebrate five years of sobriety. Reggie has a stable job and Cristy is serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with a United Way partner. She’s about to graduate with her bachelor's degree in social work. Together, they are building the future they once thought was impossible.
United Way understands that housing and health aren't separate issues and finds creative ways to address them together. Through partnerships with organizations like Karis Community Health, The Caring Place, and direct service programming, United Way supports neighbors like Reggie and Cristy as they move from crisis to stability.
Blog Posts
Connect, Grow, and Give Back
The Benefits of Joining United Way’s Young Professionals Circle
January 5, 2026
Are you a young professional looking to make a meaningful impact in your community while growing your personal and professional network? The Young Professionals Circle (YPC) at United Way of the Ocoee Region offers exactly that ... a vibrant community of motivated individuals who are passionate about creating positive change.
Make a Tangible Community Impact
Being part of the Young Professionals Circle gives you the opportunity to support initiatives that matter most to our community. From volunteering for hands-on projects to assisting with local campaigns, members play an active role in improving lives across the Ocoee Region. Every hour you contribute and every dollar you invest helps strengthen families, expand access to education, and support health and stability initiatives in our community.
Build Your Network
Joining the Young Professionals Circle connects you with like-minded peers, local business leaders, and community influencers. These relationships can open doors to mentorship opportunities, professional growth, and collaborative projects, all while fostering meaningful friendships with others who share your commitment to giving back.
Develop Leadership and Skills
YPC isn’t just about volunteering; it’s also a platform for personal development. Members gain experience in leadership, event planning, fundraising, and project management. These opportunities help young professionals enhance their resumes while making a lasting impact.
Enjoy Exclusive Events and Experiences
From networking mixers and speaker panels to hands-on service projects and social events, the Young Professionals Circle offers experiences designed to be fun, engaging, and inspiring. Members not only contribute to the community, but also enjoy meaningful experiences that foster connection, learning, and growth.
Be Part of Something Bigger
At its core, the Young Professionals Circle is about uniting energy, passion, and ideas to create change. By joining, you become part of a movement that strengthens the Ocoee Region, uplifts neighbors in need, and builds a legacy of community engagement for years to come.
If you’re ready to make a difference, expand your network, and grow as a professional while giving back to the community you love, the Young Professionals Circle is the perfect place to start. Together, we’re more than volunteers - we’re changemakers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YPC
Together, we are UNITED.
Why your Gift to United Way Matters.
January 20, 2026
Giving to United Way is more than a donation; it’s an investment in the strength, stability, and future of your community. When you give to United Way of the Ocoee Region, your generosity stays local and works in powerful ways to create lasting change for individuals and families right here at home.
Your Gift Creates Real, Local Impact
United Way focuses identifying and developing solutions to the issues that matter most to our community, from meeting immediate basic needs to building pathways toward long-term stability. Rather than supporting a single program, your gift helps fund a network of trusted local partners working together to address complex challenges like housing stability, food insecurity, financial security, education, and access to essential services. This collaborative approach ensures resources are used efficiently and where they’re needed most.
One Gift. Many Solutions.
Life’s challenges rarely exist in isolation. A family facing housing instability may also need help with utilities, food, childcare, or job training. United Way’s community-wide approach allows one donation to support multiple solutions, helping individuals move from crisis to stability and ultimately toward self-sufficiency.
Accountability You Can Trust
United Way is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship. Local volunteers - many of them donors themselves - help guide funding decisions, ensuring community investments are thoughtful, strategic, and aligned with real needs. You can feel confident knowing your gift is making a measurable difference.
Strengthening the Safety Net
In times of crisis, including natural disasters, economic hardship, or unexpected emergencies, United Way is there. Your support helps ensure rapid response, coordinated relief, and long-term recovery efforts that help neighbors not just survive, but rebuild.
A Stronger Community for Everyone
When individuals and families are stable, the entire community benefits. Businesses thrive, children succeed, and neighborhoods grow stronger. Giving to United Way is a way to be part of something bigger - joining neighbors, businesses, and community leaders who believe that lasting change happens when we work together.
Give with Purpose
No matter the size, every gift matters. When you give to United Way of the Ocoee Region, you’re helping create opportunities, restore hope, and build a community where everyone has the chance to succeed.
Together, we can do more than any of us could alone.