“United Way fights FOR the health, education and financial stability of every person in Central Florida.”

But, United Way also fights AGAINST racism, bigotry, homophobia, xenophobia and hatred of all kinds.

Our long-standing approach has been to unite members of caring communities to tackle challenging issues like poverty and discrimination, as well as remove obstacles to education and opportunity. We’ve worked with leaders from both sides of the aisle, all religions and every race. We’ve advocated for every person’s right to access opportunities for a better education, better jobs, and the security and promise of the American Dream regardless of the color of their skin, the God they worship or the country from which they came.

Our nation may be more divided at this moment than at any other time in our history. Considering that our recent history includes such transformational movements as the Civil Rights era and the Vietnam War that says a lot. But this division goes beyond the President and Congress, and our State Houses or County seats. It rests with us, the electorate, who make up this great nation.

The differences between beliefs and values has widened and the respect for the differences among us has seemingly vanished. Civil discourse has been discarded and rhetoric has shifted toward the extremes. It feels as though we have become almost solely focused on what divides us, as opposed to all of the things that have historically united us.

It is during these times, in which we seem most divided, that United Way is most relevant and necessary. We will continue to fight for every person regardless of things like skin color, religion, country of origin, whether their families have been here for generations, or whether they only recently arrived to this great nation seeking nothing more than a chance to prosper.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do to make a difference.

You can join United Way and fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Central Florida, as well as the fight against hatred of all kinds. Be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Teach our children to embrace all cultures that have come together over generations to create the fabric of this country. Remind your social network that skin color, religion, or who someone loves does not define a person’s character. But do not stand silently on the sidelines and wait for others to take action – advocate for unity. Join us by raising YOUR voice.

This is the time we need to Live United… for all.

Jeff Hayward
President and CEO
Heart of Florida United Way