United Way of Tucson has distributed
$370,000 to local agencies to-date
with more funds on the way!
United For Southern Arizona
COVID-19 Fund Updates
Your United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is excited to share weekly updates related to our United for Southern Arizona COVID-19 Fund . Funds raised are distributed to partner agencies and go directly to helping local individuals and families in our community during this critical time of need. It is only through your generosity that we are able to create a positive impact in the lives of others. Thank you for making this possible! Read on below for individual stories of impact, volunteer opportunities and other important updates.
Partner Agencies:
Community Stories
Thanks to the generous support of our funders and donors like you, United Way of Tucson has been able to help individuals and families in conjunction with our partner organizations. Below you will read the stories of these individuals and how they are being directly affected during this COVID-19 crisis.
Family Assistance
From Interfaith Community Services: “Irene* is a single mom of two, with a third child, her nephew, also living in the home. Unable to afford and access child care, Irene quit her job in order to take care of her children. One daughter tested positive for COVID, and her other daughter has since become ill (test pending). She has applied for unemployment but not yet heard anything except how great the need is. Irene is beside herself with worry for her children's well-being and how they will move forward once everyone recovers from the sickness. Support from the United for Southern Arizona COVID-19 Fund will help her pay June rent, giving her a chance to focus on her children’s health for the moment and giving the whole family a safe place to recover.”
Housing Assistance
From Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF): “Stephen* lives alone in an apartment, and he can generally make ends meet without a regular subsidy. However, as his work hours have now been reduced, he is starting to struggle financially. While he maintains contact with his family in Africa, his local support system is limited to a few friends. He often sent extra money he earned from work back to his family and therefore now has limited savings. Stephen relies on support from his case management team at SAAF to assist him, especially through unexpected challenges like those he faces right now. Support from the United for Southern Arizona COVID-19 Fund will help Stephen continue paying his rent in order to maintain housing and keep his health stable during the pandemic.”
The COVID-19 Fund has gone directly towards helping supply our partner agencies with housing and rental assistance to be distributed to the individuals and families most in need, including providing assistance for Stephen so he can take care of himself after helping his family back in Africa.
Diaper Assistance
From Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona: “Shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak began and stay-at-home orders were issued, we received an urgent call from a representative at the Tohono O'odham Nation health care center. Many tribal members were discovering that the only grocery store on that part of the reservation was out of many items, including diapers. Remote village families with transportation challenges were thus left without critical resources. With the help of the United for Southern Arizona COVID-19 Fund, we were able to supply diapers to the health center staff, who were, in turn, able to deliver supplies to these families in a desperate time of need.”
Volunteer Updates:

City-Wide Cleanup | June 8th

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona will be partnering with the City of Tucson to help organize a city-wide cleanup the week of June 8th, everyone is invited to participate. More information to follow.
COVID-19 Basic Needs Drive

Youth on the Rise and the United Youth Leadership Council with assistance from Young Leaders United - are coordinating a COVID-19 Drive for youth recently released from the Juvenile Detention Center as well as other Opportunity Youth in Southern Arizona, 16 – 24 year olds who are not enrolled in school and aren't working. Donations can be dropped off at Goodwill Metro at 300 N 4th Ave on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 10:30am to 4pm. For more information, email Meredith at mbode@unitedwaytucson.org
We need your help to keep
Southern Arizona United
Your support right now is crucial to alleviate the financial hardship many are facing today. For nearly 100 years, your United Way of Southern Arizona has been fulfilling our mission of mobilizing the community to solve real-time problems. Your gift to this fund will quickly support a child, family, or older person with what is essential right now. Together, we can help each other and our community emerge stronger than ever. With our non-profit partners, United Way will continue to deliver emergency services and resources for individuals and families who need help today.  When we LIVE UNITED, we can achieve more than any single entity can alone. When you GIVE UNITED, you can change lives.