Our Work
We break down barriers for the local nonprofits, local government, and businesses in our community. We provide the opportunity for people to work together to achieve more than any single person or organization can do alone.
We partner with many agencies to tackle instability in our community
UNITED WAY
HOUSING FIRST HELENA
United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area is partnering with agencies tackling housing instability in our community by hosting the Helena Coordinated Entry System and Front Door Network. United Way hosts a coordinated community-wide system that connects unsheltered and unstably housed persons with the resources and agencies to ensure long-term, safe, stable housing.
Backpacks for the Homeless - The Story
This year’s Point in Time Survey, conducted in late January, indicates there are 164 unsheltered neighbors currently residing in Helena. We see them daily and many of us ask, “What can we do?” At the United Way of Lewis & Clark Area we are devoting a significant amount of our time into collaborating, so we can answer this critical question. There are many complicated, upstream factors contributing to this local challenge. Issues like the affordable housing crisis, shortage of mental health and addiction counselors, and an economy that favors those with means and people who are housed. These are not small matters, but at the United Way, we are convening community leaders to address these matters because we believe the answers to Helena’s challenges lie right here, within our community. In Montana we take care of our neighbors!
One effort we are sponsoring this Summer on behalf of our unsheltered neighbors, is a donation ask from the community… “Backpacks for the Homeless” People can donate backpacks, funds, or specific items to fill the backpacks. We will accept donations in hopes of distributing backpacks in the fall through our nonprofit partners. You can go to the United Way website to see the list of items we are collecting. www.unitedwaylca.org
To quote one of our unsheltered neighbors, “I am always amazed at how generous people are in Helena, I grew up here, and when I lost my home, I didn’t want to leave, because I know people here will help people like me.”
Thank you for being good neighbors! Your friends at the United Way of Lewis & Clark Area.
The Statistics
Helena - HUD Point in Time Survey Results for the last 5 Years
2018 – 93
2019 – 119
2020 – 139*
2021 – 167*
2022 – 143
2023 – 164 (Helena- 13% increase since 2022)
* Covid years
Total Homeless in Montana in 2023: 2178 (28% increase)
Total Homeless in Montana in 2022: 1,585
Drop off donations at the United Way - 75 East Lyndale (the blue building with the faces) or you can contribute here on our DONATE page: CLICK HERE. online at: www.unitedwaylca.org For additional information or to join the team working toward a sustainable solution email: info@unitedwaylca.org
Point In Time Survey (PiT)
The Point in Time Survey is the annual count of our local unsheltered population under the guidance of the Federal HUD program. Local volunteers comb the community in pairs on the 4th Thursday evening in January every year to identify and interview our unsheltered neighbors. Additionally, there is a count of people staying in our local congregate living facilities, shelters, and group homes. This data is used to access federal and state funding for homeless community programs.
2023 Montana Point In Time Data
PiT - Annual Count Info (1/25/24)
WHEN – Thursday January 25th
• Brief Training for “Counters” at 3PM at UWLCA
• On site at stations from 4-7pm
WHERE – 4 Sites and a Late-Night Team
• God’s Love /Our Place/Library-Anchor Park/Walmart Area
• Late Shift will meet at UWLCA at 9pm and disperse across
town.
WHY - Every year HUD sponsors an annual census in every
community to determine the number of unsheltered persons
that reside there. The results of these surveys affect the number
of federal dollars available to assist with these issues locally.
HOW - Volunteers will have access to the 25-question survey on
their phones and iPads. An interview takes about 5 minutes.
Volunteers will have socks, gloves, hats, etc. to thank people for
participating.
TO VOLUNTEER…
Email Jeff Buscher at the United Way: jeff@unitedwaylca.org
*Be sure to include your phone number and where you would like
to serve.
MORE INFORMATION
FUSE – Frequent Users of Systems Engagement
FUSE is a national model. Locally the FUSE team focuses on the most frequent users of emergency public and private health care, law enforcement, and social service programs. FUSE surrounds clients with stabilizing resources, leading to a more stable life and the use of less costly services in our community.
HRA: Helena Resource Advocates
HRA is a community meeting where nonprofits, businesses, service groups, or caring citizens can share information, discuss the needs of our community, and network with groups working toward similar goals. Each week this group shares updates via email much like a nonprofit community newsletter. There are over 120 people on the HRA information chain.
Unsheltered Neighbors
Documents - informational, PiT Reports, Statistics, Stories, and more
Click on the buttons below to Download PDF information.
HTA Card Foldable 2023
What you can do to help
FREE TAX HELP
On-Line, walk-ins, or by appointment… Learn where to get help with your annual tax returns. In the past ten years, this program has returned roughly $10 million to Helena residents using all available tax credit options.
Tax Resources:
www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
2024 FREE TAX HELP FLYER (download)
VOLUNTEER HELENA
MONTANA 211
Montana 211 provides information and connects people to resources for non-emergency needs, via an easy to remember phone number – 211 – and a website www.montana211.org. A comprehensive guide to non-emergency resources in our area. You can call 211 or go to www.montana211.org
Voices of Hope - Our Local Call Center
Quarterly Community Drives
Seasonal projects or occasional local emergencies arise that we invite community members to donate resources as needed:
SINGLECARE (FORMERLY FAMILYWIZE) PRESCRIPTION $AVINGS
Providing prescription discounts and savings since 2009 in the Helena area. Singlecare has saved our community $922,000 in prescription costs. Download the app and find the cheapest way to buy your prescriptions at www.singlecare.com. This app is always free to use.
KIDS ART PROJECT
In coordination with 3rd – 5th Grade teachers across the area, the United Way sponsors the Annual Kids Art Project. Inspiring students to think about how they could make the world a better place. See this year’s winners below.