Key Discussion Points
- United Way of Martin County funds 44 programs through 24 partner agencies serving residents facing housing, food, transportation, and emergency needs
- The Ride United program eliminated transportation barriers from the top 15 unmet needs list in three years by providing nearly 6,000 rides to 755 residents
- Volunteer committees review grant applications based on financial stability, community impact, and measurable outcomes before board approval
- United Way coordinates cold weather shelters with the Martin County Emergency Operations Center and supports ongoing Hurricane Milton recovery efforts
United Way’s Role in Martin County
United Way Martin County operates as a strategic funding and coordination hub addressing critical needs across Florida’s Treasure Coast. President and CEO Carol Houwaart-Diez explains that the organization invests in 44 different programs through partnerships with 24 local agencies, including household names like Salvation Army, Arc of Martin County, and Council on Aging.
The organization serves Martin County’s population of 162,000 to 165,000 residents by raising funds, distributing grants, and coordinating community initiatives to address service gaps. Houwaart-Diez describes United Way as “the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for nonprofit programs, indicating thorough financial and operational vetting.
Beyond fundraising, United Way works directly with the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and the county’s Emergency Operations Center on disaster response, cold weather shelter coordination, and community-wide problem-solving that happens behind the scenes.
Ride United Program Eliminates Transportation Barriers
United Way Martin County launched Ride United in September 2022 to address a critical gap in public transportation access. The program partners with Lyft to provide scheduled rides for residents who cannot access essential appointments and services.
Houwaart-Diez explains that the program began with a $6,000 grant from the national United Way organization. In its first full year, the program spent nearly $83,000 providing 6,000 rides to 755 unduplicated clients. The organization projects spending approximately $120,000 in the current year based on growing demand.
Key funding partners include:
- Cleveland Clinic
- Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties
- Community Foundation of Martin and St. Lucie Counties
- Wilmington Trust
The program serves residents facing specific transportation challenges. Examples include veterans in their 80s and 90s who must travel to the VA hospital in West Palm Beach, a brain cancer patient requiring daily treatments for six weeks after exhausting insurance-provided transportation, and a 19-year-old employee walking across the bridge to Palm City at 10 PM after work shifts.
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Houwaart-Diez emphasizes that the program maintains client dignity. Lyft drivers receive ride requests through the standard app without knowing that clients are receiving assistance. The service covers critical appointments, including medical visits and job commutes, not recreational activities like church services or entertainment.
Transportation previously ranked in the top five unmet needs when the program launched in 2022. According to Houwaart-Diez, transportation barriers no longer appear in the top 15 unmet needs three years later. The only transportation-related needs now reported involve car repairs and gas money, which the program does not address.
Grant Review Process and Community Partnership Standards
United Way Martin County employs approximately 40 community volunteers who review grant applications through a structured evaluation process. Volunteers assess programs based on financial stability, community impact, and measurable outcomes before making funding recommendations to the board.
Organizations must meet specific criteria to qualify for funding. Programs must operate for at least two years and demonstrate outcome measurements. The review process requires 8 to 12 hours of volunteer time, mostly completed online at home, plus a half-day group session.
Houwaart-Diez explains the volunteer committee structure removes personal bias from funding decisions. She emphasizes having no direct control over which programs receive approval, even for close personal connections. The board makes final approval decisions based on the volunteer committee’s recommendations.
The organization currently reviews 12 new letters of intent alongside existing funded programs during each grant cycle. United Way staff guide volunteers through evaluation processes, helping distinguish between emotional responses and data-driven decisions about program effectiveness.
Houwaart-Diez addresses program duplication concerns directly. When new organizations propose programs similar to existing successful initiatives, United Way encourages partnerships rather than competition for limited funding. She states Martin County has too many nonprofits for its population of 162,000 to 165,000 residents, with federal and private funding spread across numerous overlapping services.
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Emergency Response and Cold Weather Shelter Coordination
United Way Martin County partners with the Martin County Emergency Operations Center to coordinate cold weather shelters when temperatures reach 40 degrees or below with windchill for four consecutive hours. The organization mobilizes multiple partner agencies to provide shelter space, volunteer coverage, security, food, and transportation.
During a recent cold stretch from Saturday through Monday night, shelters served 31 individuals on Saturday and 35 on Sunday. Houwaart-Diez explains that these residents live in cars, woods, or other locations without protection from cold weather.
The organization continues working on Hurricane Milton recovery months after tornadoes caused significant damage in Martin County. Some residents remain displaced from their homes, paying both mortgage payments and rent simultaneously. Recovery funding gaps often exceed available assistance, leaving families unable to complete repairs or replacement.
United Way coordinates donation management, volunteer deployment, and partner collaboration during natural disasters through its relationship with county emergency management. This coordination role extends beyond immediate response into long-term recovery support.
Program Utilization and Community Resource Gaps
Houwaart-Diez identifies Council on Aging programs as operating at maximum capacity. The organization provides adult daycare services for working families with elderly parents, social programs, exercise classes, Meals on Wheels delivery, and volunteer coordination.
The Meals on Wheels program represents a specific area with room for growth. Houwaart-Diez explains that meal delivery often provides the only daily human interaction for homebound seniors. The program faces volunteer shortages during the summer months when snowbird volunteers return north. United Way staff previously covered summer delivery routes as team building activities.
The Senior Navigator program at Council on Aging primarily receives crisis calls from seniors who delayed seeking help until situations became urgent. Houwaart-Diez encourages seniors and all residents to reach out for assistance before reaching crisis mode, emphasizing that requesting help demonstrates strength rather than weakness.
She addresses panhandling directly, advising against giving money to individuals on streets. Instead, she directs residents toward established organizations equipped to provide comprehensive assistance and accountability. Multiple partner agencies can address immediate needs while helping individuals develop sustainable solutions.
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How to Support United Way Martin County
Houwaart-Diez describes donations to United Way as comparable to mutual fund investments. Single-organization donations support one cause, while United Way contributions fund diverse programs addressing disabilities, domestic violence, child welfare, senior services, and emergency needs through vetted partners.
Community members can participate in the Citizens Review Process by volunteering for grant evaluation committees. The process provides detailed insight into community needs and organizational effectiveness through structured program reviews.
United Way Martin County Foundation recently announced a challenge grant supporting the Council on Aging‘s fundraiser for a new Meals on Wheels delivery vehicle. The foundation matches up to $45,000 of the $90,000 needed to replace a 17-year-old vehicle, reducing the agency’s fundraising requirement by half.
Additional information about programs, volunteer opportunities, and donation options is available at UnitedWayMartin.org. The organization maintains active social media channels with updates on initiatives and community needs.
