Charlotte County Resources
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
Our community continues to draw in those in search of beautiful beaches and a more active lifestyle. Working full-time and having a teen daughter, I personally don’t get to the beaches often enough, but I enjoy living in an area where I can sneak away when time allows. People are finding our little piece of paradise an oasis to relocate to. Charlotte County is definitely a melting pot.
Whether you were born here or recently relocated take a moment and ask yourself the following: Do I know the needs of my community? Am I making an impact or part of making impact? If you call Charlotte County your home, could you refer a neighbor to get help?
If the answer to any of those questions was no, or even if you think you know the answers, I invite you to keep reading!
This notion had me thinking about United Way of Charlotte County (UWCC) and where we fall on the scale. Having worked in the nonprofit sector for many years, I am more aware and knowledgeable of the needs in our community, especially in the areas of education, financial stability, and health and well-being. But if you ask someone who is new to the community or maybe someone who has just never needed a hand-up, they may not be as familiar with all of the resources in our area.
I took this further and asked a few UWCC staff members their thoughts on this subject. Alexandra, who has lived in Charlotte County for 2-years shared that, “It is hard to navigate our community if you never needed assistance before. I honestly didn’t know that people could seek financial assistance. Before working here, I never knew exactly how United Way helped”.
UWCC Financial Empowerment program managers Jen and Stephanie address a diverse array of phone calls and requests, each presenting varying levels of urgency and necessity. Jen states, “We continue to meet with organizations and businesses that provide services within Charlotte County to build our resource database. We don’t have all the answers but are always willing to navigate available options within the community”. This system helps us to not only build closer relationships with those agencies but also be able to create referrals with greater positive outcomes though our own screening process.”
It is important to also keep in mind Charlotte County’s ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) population, which makes up the majority of our daily calls. Affordable housing, transportation issues, and medical expenses are the leading causes for stability setbacks. By digging below the surface level issues, we discover a common theme. It’s no secret that the cost of living in today’s economy is a struggle, no matter your age, family size, or income.
One resource that is noticeably lacking from Charlotte County is Financial Literacy. In other words, education and simple know-how of budgeting. Stephanie explains that “Financial literacy empowers you to understand and manage your finances more effectively, helping you to overcome different financial challenges that may come your way. It plays a vital role in attaining financial well-being”.
Starting in June, with the expertise from Regions Bank, UWCC will be hosting a 3-session financial literacy virtual workshop, rotating on a quarterly basis. Current topics will include, Building Your Financial Know How, Smart Money Habits, and Your Credit Report. Participants will gain basic knowledge and skills to empower them to take control of their money, create a budget, and how important credit is now days.
If you are interested in the free financial workshops, or needing additional resources, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/UWCCresources. United Way of Charlotte County wants to be your first phone call. We’re friendly and here to serve, call us at 941-627-3539. We may not have all of the answers, but hopefully can point you in the right direction.
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.