Safety Net

The Safety Net funding strategy is designed to provide critical aid for our most vulnerable families through short-term, non-competitive investments in supportive programs that provide housing, food, heat, utilities and other essential needs for individuals that, due to an unforeseen personal crisis, disaster or emergency in their lives, would benefit from additional assistance. Safety Net partnerships are one-year in length and the grant amount varies by organization. (Funding to the selected non-profits is contingent on the funding United Way receives as an organization to its Breaking the Cycle fund).

Safety Net partnerships include:

Information and referral: 211info

Our region has a range of assistance available, but it can be difficult to know where to go for help. 211info makes it easy for everyone to find the services they need. With a simple call, text message or website visit, those who need help can get connected to free resource referral. Learn more about 211info. 

Healthcare for the uninsured: Project Access NOW

Project Access NOW improves the health of our community by creating access to care and services for those most in need. Learn more about Project Access NOW.

Help for Union Families in Need: Labor’s Community Service Agency

Labor’s Community Service Agency provides emergency assistance for union families in need. Learn more about LCSA

Food security: Clackamas Service Center

CSC provides services to alleviate the effects of poverty, increase food security and promote self-sufficiency to individuals and families who are most vulnerable in Clackamas County. They provide food relief to community members in Clackamas County through food boxes, lunches and dinners.  Also access to clothing and referrals to health care, substance abuse support groups and domestic violence sevices.  Learn more.  

Free tax prep assistance

Families who earn less than $58,000 per year may qualify for free tax preparation through United Way partners. Free tax prep saves moderate- and low-income families the cost of paying for tax preparation and makes sure that working families get the tax credits they deserve.

Short-term rent assistance

Families shouldn’t have to choose between paying for rent, paying for food or paying for heat. A little extra help during a period of illness or unemployment can keep a family from facing homelessness. That’s why United Way invests in short-term rent assistance. 

Gas Assistance Program (GAP) – NW Natural

For more than 30 years, NW Natural’s Gas Assistance Program (GAP) has helped cover heating costs for people in need. GAP is a low-income energy assistance program that is all about neighbors helping each other. NW Natural encourages their customers and local companies to make donations and the program’s administrative costs are funded by shareholders. GAP has raised more than $5.4 million over the years to help people stay warm during the wintertime. United Way is glad to support GAP by processing GAP donations and distributing to local Community Action Networks. Learn more.

Clean Air Partners Program – State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Clean Air Partners (CAPs) is a program to help people whose vehicles do not pass DEQ's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) test and who can't afford to repair their vehicles' emission systems. DEQ's Vehicle Inspection Program has partnered with Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships to build a Clean Air Partners Fund with donations from the public. United Way processes donations to the Clean Air Partners Program. Learn more.

FamilyWize®

The goal of the FamilyWize® Community Service Partnership, Inc. is to reduce the cost of prescription medications for children, families and individuals by $1 billion by the end of 2015. We believe that stronger, healthier and happier people make better communities. Learn more.

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