Our Programs

211 Northwest Florida is a collaborative program of United Way of West Florida, United Way of Northwest Florida, and United Way Emerald Coast.

We believe information and referral services are a vital part of the community support network. By making it easier to find local services and resources, we help individuals, families, neighbors, and social service professionals connect with the assistance they need. Our trained specialists also empower callers with problem-solving strategies, provide guidance through difficult situations, and educate the public on alternatives to crisis response.

211 Northwest Florida is your connection to help. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, trained specialists connect individuals and families with local resources, including food, housing, healthcare, utility assistance, mental health support, and more. Call 211 or toll-free 855-420-8689, or text your  ZIP code to 898-211 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also click here to visit the website for more resources.

The 40 Under 40 Awards is a signature event presented by FPL and hosted by United Way Emerald Coast NextGen United to honor 40 of Okaloosa and Walton counties' most outstanding young professionals. This celebration highlights individuals ages 21 to 40 who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community involvement, and professional achievement. Honorees represent a wide range of industries and share a dedication to strengthening the Emerald Coast.

The 40 Under 40 Awards exists to celebrate young professionals who are helping shape a brighter future for our community. By recognizing their leadership and service, we honor those who uplift others and inspire continued engagement across the Emerald Coast.

Learn more about the 40 Under 40 Awards here. 

ALICE is a United Way acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. 

ALICE represents hard-working households who live paycheck to paycheck; reduced hours, a family emergency, or unexpected expense can be catastrophic. Today, 40% of households in Okaloosa and Walton counties are ALICE. We all know ALICE. ALICE may be a relative or friend. These are our neighbors; our daycare teachers, grocery store associates, hotel clerks, home health aides, and other members of our essential workforce. They live above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. These households are absolutely critical to our community's success, but they are forced to make impossible choices each day.

The Facts:

• The ALICE Household Survival Budget is the bare-minimum cost of household basics (housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and a smartphone plan, plus taxes). It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement.
• The Survival Budget for Okaloosa and Walton counties shows a single adult would need to an annual income of $36,672 to afford their most basic needs; a family of four would need an annual income of at least $87,516; and a senior citizen would need an annual income of at least $40,020 These costs are well above the Federal Poverty Level of $15,650 for a single adult and $32,150 for a family of four.
• ALICE families are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy food, receive medical care or pay for childcare, pay utility bills or put gas in the car.
• ALICE often includes those who are working two or more jobs and still cannot pay their bills. Less than 2% of ALICE households are unemployed.

Learn more about ALICE here.

Born Learning Trails are a series of 10 interactive games for young children marked by engaging instructional signs. The trails turn a trip to the park into an active learning experience, helping children develop skills for school readiness. Based on the latest early childhood research approved by national early learning experts through United Way Worldwide, the Born Learning Trail is designed to help adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development. It also helps caregivers understand how best to support early learning in outdoor everyday moments. 

Learn more about Born Learning Trails here.

United Way Emerald Coast proudly serves as the Local Board Administrator for The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) in Okaloosa and Walton counties. EFSP was created by Congress in 1983 to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.

To learn more about EFSP or to apply, please click here.

Now six workshops strong, EmpowHER is helping young women build confidence, resilience, and healthy coping skills during some of the most formative years of their lives. Offered at no cost to participants, these interactive workshops provide mental health education, meaningful conversations, and a safe, supportive environment for girls ages 10 to 18 to connect, learn, and grow.

Learn more about EmpowHER here. 

United Way Emerald Coast is helping expand access to food through a growing network of Little Free Pantries across Okaloosa and Walton counties. These small, weatherproof pantries provide free, accessible food and essential items to neighbors in need, while encouraging community members to "take what you need, leave what you can."

By partnering with local businesses, schools, municipalities, and non-profit organizations, we're making it easier for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity to access support close to home. Every pantry is stocked through the generosity of community members and organizations working together to ensure no one has to face hunger alone.

Learn more about Little Free Pantries here. 

MISSION UNITED™ connects service members, veterans, first responders, and their families with the services they need. This is a collective effort that identifies gaps, disrupts broken systems, and creates systemic change in the areas of health, education, and economic mobility.

Learn more about Mission United here. 

This unique leadership development program equips emerging and established professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to serve effectively on non-profit and public sector boards or committees.

Over the course of six interactive workshops, participants learn directly from respected community leaders and subject-matter experts who demystify what it means to serve as a Board Member. Topics include fundraising, strategic planning, financial oversight, communications, and governance best practices. By graduation, participants are ready to make a meaningful impact in the boardroom - and in our community. United Way Emerald Coast proudly connects graduates with non-profit organizations in Okaloosa and Walton counties that are seeking strong, engaged, and prepared board members.

Learn more about ProjectLEAD here. 

ReadingPals offers volunteers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children in voluntary prekindergarten and kindergarten while helping them improve their social-emotional development and early literacy skills. ReadingPals is a statewide early literacy initiative that provides volunteer mentors for students in voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) and kindergarten who may need extra help, utilizing one-on-one or small group settings. ReadingPals is managed by The Children’s Movement of Florida and administered through 20+ programs across the state of Florida. 

Our children need your help! If you're interested in learning more or ready to volunteer, click here.

United Way Emerald Coast is proud to support the National Association of Letter Carriers' annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the nation's largest one-day food drive. Each year, we help raise awareness by promoting the drive throughout our community and assist local partners in connecting donated food with area food pantries and organizations serving individuals and families facing food insecurity.
 

Learn more about the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive here. 

Retire United (Formally RSVP) is a free, program that connects volunteers age 55 and better with the community's most pressing needs. This program is made available in part by a grant from AmeriCorps Seniors. Volunteers with the Retire United are matched with opportunities at local nonprofit agencies, utilizing their skills and experience to serve in meaningful ways. 

Want to sign up? Contact impact@united-way.org. Learn more about Retire United here. 

Each year, United Way Emerald Coast partners with the Okaloosa County School District and Walton County School District for a School Supply Drive, ensuring that every local child has the tools they need to be successful in school. 

Learn more about our School Supply Drives here.

Each year, United Way Emerald Coast mobilizes hundreds of volunteers through Volunteer Week, including our signature community-wide Day of Caring. Together, volunteers complete meaningful service projects that strengthen local schools, non-profits, and communities across Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Because of YOU, during this year's Volunteer Week, we:

• Completed 30 service projects at local schools, non-profits, and municipalities.
• Mobilized 306 volunteers who stepped up to serve.
• Contributed 979 volunteer hours to our community.
• The impact doesn't stop there. In 2025, 3,905 volunteers dedicated 10,079 volunteer hours to supporting local non-profits, schools, and community organizations across Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Learn more about Day of Caring & Volunteer Week here.