By Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer
She came to a neighborhood laundromat simply hoping to wash a few loads of clothes. It was 2022, and she and her mother were juggling more than most people could imagine. But instead of just washing machines and folding tables, they found something entirely unexpected: a free pop-up laundry event funded by The Patterson Foundation and hosted with United Way Charlotte County.
Alongside clean clothes, they found information, support, and—for this family—a doorway to a better future.
Three years later, that mother, now working full-time in public safety, reached out again. I’ll call her Anna. She remembered the help she once received, and this time she needed even more. Her work schedule made childcare nearly impossible. She worried constantly about her two young children, ages four and five, both experiencing delayed speech. She longed for a safe, structured environment where they could grow, learn, and be understood.
Home wasn’t easy either. Anna was also caring for her own mother, whose health struggles left her isolated and unable to assist with the children. Like many multigenerational households, they were doing everything they could in quiet resilience, hoping simply to stay afloat.
When she found the courage to ask for help, UWCC stepped in. The team helped cover the cost of transitioning the children to a local early learning center designed specifically for families who work outside traditional hours. Knowing her children would be in a place that understood their needs brought relief to everyone involved.
During one visit to the UWCC office, Anna mentioned she couldn’t afford to file her taxes. She was immediately scheduled for a free VITA appointment and left that day with essential household items—donations that arrived exactly when she needed them.
Because her mother also needed support, the family was connected with the Friendship at Home program. Another gap filled. Another weight lifted.
A few weeks later, the family returned to say thank you. It happened to be Thanksgiving week. When I saw the grandmother walk in, I recognized her instantly.
“Sarah?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said, just as surprised.
We had met at that same laundry event three years earlier. Our staff pulled up photos from that day—there we were, all smiles, completely unaware of the long journey ahead.
After that first meeting, a referral helped Anna’s mother secure a job at a local medical facility, where she worked proudly for a year before a stroke put her in the hospital for several months. She still spoke with tremendous gratitude for the care she received. Meanwhile, Anna shared that her children were thriving at their new childcare center and that Friendship at Home had already met with and begun the process of supporting her mother, Sarah.
I walked away from that reunion glowing. Because this wasn’t just one story. It was a reminder that small acts of connection—one conversation, one referral, one moment of care—can ripple outward for years. Both women have smiles brighter than the sun that will stay with me for now and always.
Every nonprofit in our community can be and is part of that ripple. And when we work together, especially for families spanning three generations under one roof, we create the kind of support that helps not just individuals—but entire families—thrive.
You can be part of the ripple that changes a family’s future by visiting unitedwayccfl.org/pathways. Your support helps local families access childcare, tax assistance, caregiving programs, and vital community resources when they need them most.
Give to strengthen programs serving multigenerational households
Volunteer with VITA, Friendship at Home, or other community initiatives
Connect families you know to United Way’s services
Together, we can help every family in our community thrive.
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community so all can thrive, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.