Overview

Stories of Resilience

Two women embracing

From holding workshops to helping first-responders, United Way and Verizon are working to help build resilience before, during, and after disasters. 

Here are some of the many stories that showcase that resilience.

Local focus. Real impact.

The faces of resilience include volunteers, first responders, hospital staff, caregivers, and more. 

They are proactive, prepared, and ready to respond. 

Member of United Way of Chicago's Young Leaders United packing emergency kits
Stories of Resilience: Chicago

Packing Kits, Building Resilience

Members of United Way of Metro Chicago’s Young Leaders United assembled disaster preparedness kits through United We Prepare to help families in Austin, Brighton Park, and Little Village prepare for flooding and other emergencies.
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Volunteers at the United Way Resiliency Center in new Orleans hold up emergency kits
Stories of Resilience: New Orleans

New Orleans Resiliency Center Provides Hub to Help Weather Storms

Discover how United Way of Southeast Louisiana's Resiliency Center helps families prepare for disasters, build stability and strengthen community resilience.
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A participant in the Extreme Heat workshop for caregivers smiles at the camera
Stories of Resilience: Boston

Keeping Kids Cool

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is holding workshops for caregivers to help them prepare for extreme heat and other disasters.
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United Way Miami staff assemble hurricane emergency kits
Stories of Resilience: Miami

Helping Miami Prepare for Heat and Hurricanes

United Way Miami staff is handing out 1,200 free emergency preparedness kits for residents in some of Miami-Dade County’s most hurricane-vulnerable communities. The work is part of United We Prepare, a United Way Worldwide nationwide disaster preparation initiative.
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Stories of Resilience: Houston & Bay Area

Preparing for Disasters: Free Workshops to Get Ready

United We Prepare resilience workshops and disaster clinics offer free tips to prepare for disasters, from making a plan to packing a go bag.
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Workers stack sandbags to prevent flooding damage
Stories of Resilience: West Virginia

West Virginia Resiliency Centers Bring Disaster Preparedness Home

Two regional Resiliency Centers, launched through a partnership between United Way Worldwide and Verizon, are working to help all 55 West Virginia counties prepare for disasters, coordinate, and recover faster.
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Being Disaster Ready

In Napa, Calif., volunteers assembled 520 emergency preparedness kits and received tips on how to better plan and prepare for disasters.

One participant who had been forced to evacuate four times said she wanted to be ready if and when there was a next time.

“This is amazing," she said of her newly assembled go bag sponsored by Verizon and United Way Bay Area. “A bag and the emergency numbers and all this information." 

United We Prepare

Preparedness Tips and Resources

Get tips and resources to be disaster ready.

Get Prepared Now