Support Services
United Way supports emergency services for our friends and neighbors in times of need. Of United Way of Southeast Mississippi’s overall community impact funds, 34% is allocated to support services.
Community Partners receiving funds in this impact area include:
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American Red Cross
The Red Cross promotes emergency preparedness and serves people during times of disaster.
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Child Abuse Prevention Center
This agency works to prevent child abuse, neglect and violence and offers a program to aid at-risk families of newborns.
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Christian Services
Christian Services feeds the hungry through programs such as the soup kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Compassion Van and Angel Food program.
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Domestic Abuse Family Shelter
The organization offers temporary shelter, counseling and a variety of other services to victims of domestic violence, along with prevention programs to the community.
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Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention
The Shafer Center provides support, counseling and referral for victims of sexual violence, homicide and families of suicide victims.
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South Mississippi Children’s Center
This shelter offers temporary housing and support for abused, neglected, runaway and homeless children.
Meet Caroline
When Caroline Hester lost her son in a tragic homicide, she felt her life had ended too. She received the support she needed through the help of the Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention and its support groups.
“They’ve helped me to take one day at a time, one minute at a time,” Hester said. “They’ve helped me to think of the positive things, and I know I’m not alone. That in itself is a big help. It becomes like a family. They pray with you. They laugh with you. They celebrate with you. They cry with you. But they are there. I don’t know where I’d be right now if it weren’t for the center. It literally saved my life.”
The Shafer Center provides members of the community the hope they need to carry on with their lives after suffering tragedy.