We believe strong communities are built when neighbors support each other during a time of need. By working alongside local agencies, volunteers, and public partners we are strengthening the systems that help people navigate challenges and recover from hardship. Whether it's connecting residents to critical resources, coordinating community response efforts, or supporting initiatives that increase stability, we ensure every person in Greater Lorain County has a pathway forward.
.
.
We mobilize volunteers, partners, and donors to collect high-need items, sort them with care, and deliver them to trusted community agencies that place them directly in the hands of neighbors who need them most. It’s practical help that meets urgent needs while strengthening dignity, choice, and stability for families across Greater Lorain County.
.
211 First Call for Help is United Way of Greater Lorain County’s impact initiative providing our community with a 24/7 information and referral hotline available by phone, text, or web. Whether you or someone you know needs support with rent, utilities, transportation, or tax preparation, our live referral team connects residents to trusted local resources that can help.
With more than 8,000 calls answered each year, 2-1-1 First Call for Help also provides valuable insight into our community’s most urgent needs. This real-time data helps United Way and our partners better understand emerging challenges and respond with coordinated solutions.
.
Getting where you need to go shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. Through Mobility Management, United Way helps connect residents to reliable, affordable transportation options so they can access jobs, health care, education, groceries, and essential services across Lorain County.
We work with community partners to coordinate resources, close service gaps, and make transportation systems easier to navigate for older adults, people with disabilities, and families facing financial barriers.
Because when transportation works, everything else becomes possible.