Lifting Lives

It’s been a year since the global pandemic led to the mid-March lockdown orders that upended lives, disrupted daily routines and caused major changes in the way businesses and organizations were able to deliver services and programs.

None was more affected than United Against Poverty. Just three months earlier, the nonprofit serving Indian River County families living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level had opened the doors of its new 46,000-square-foot UP Center on 27th Street in Vero Beach.

A community hub housing a member-share grocery program, education and training programs, crisis stabilization services, and a medical facility that includes mental health counseling services, the center immediately became a magnet, drawing 1,000 people daily.

Then came COVID-19, and with it protocol and procedure restrictions became the order of the day. Even so, UP has continued to provide support to those in poverty, implementing new initiatives and reaching out into the community like never before.