When our community faces disaster, United Way of Greater Houston plays a key role in helping our neighbors and our region recover and rebuild. From ensuring our first responders can act swiftly to leading our community’s long-term recovery, United Way has the experience, networks, and capacity to address even the most devastating disasters. 

In times of disaster and every day, the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is our community’s go-to resource. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, HELPLINE specialists connect callers with the help they need, from emergency shelter and evacuation information to help with basic needs, like food. During times of disaster, 2-1-1 maintains up-to-date information on shelters and other essential resources. If you or someone you know needs help recovering from Hurricane Harvey, call 2-1-1 any time, day or night. 

When the debris is cleared and the first responders have gone, United Way’s role as the leader of long-term recovery in our area begins. United Way convenes and works with our community’s social service providers to assess the needs, identify partners to help meet them, invest in the services needed, and provide ongoing resources and support. In addition to investing to make case management and services available, United Way maintains a fund to help meet unmet needs, needs preventing full recovery for which other assistance is not available. 

United Way of Greater Houston launched the United Way Relief Fund to help support our community in the aftermath of Harvey. 100% of every gift to the United Way Relief Fund goes to help our neighbors and our community recover from Hurricane Harvey.

A portion of the United Way Relief Fund is being invested to increase the the availability and accessibility of assistance with basic needs, like food and housing, in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Another portion will be invested in long-term recovery with oversight and funding recommendations provided by a volunteer-led committee. This effort will focus on disaster case management; repair/rebuild; mental health, unmet needs, donations management and volunteer management. United Way's Harvey Task Force has issued the first round of United Way Relief Fund grants and is meeting regularly to assess needs and direct resources to help our community recover. 

We've created the After the Storm reseource guide to help you recover from Hurricane Harvey. Download it in English or in Spanish. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1.