For more than 17 years, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva and United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades have worked side by side to strengthen communities, support families, and ensure residents have access to critical resources during both everyday challenges and times of crisis.
What began in 2009 when FISH became a United Way House has grown into a longstanding partnership built on a shared commitment to helping neighbors thrive. Today, that partnership continues through FISH’s role as a United Way Resiliency Hub, a designation reflecting FISH’s ability to provide both daily support services in blue skies and disaster response resources for island residents and workers in grey skies.
“FISH is proud of the relationship we have built with United Way over the years,” said Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH. “Together, we have responded to hurricanes, supported families facing hardship, expanded access to services, and helped strengthen the overall wellbeing of our community. This partnership demonstrates the power of organizations working together toward a common purpose.”
When FISH first joined the United Way network, the vision centered on collaboration between nonprofit organizations, local governments, businesses, and residents to improve access to services and identify unmet needs within the community. The goal was simple: leverage resources, strengthen partnerships, and help more people receive the support they needed.
Those principles remain at the core of the partnership.
Today, as a United Way Resiliency Hub, FISH provides a broad range of services that address food insecurity, financial hardship, transportation barriers, senior isolation, educational needs, and disaster preparedness. The organization also serves as a trusted resource during emergencies, coordinating with local, regional, and national partners to provide information, supplies, referrals, and recovery assistance. During disasters, Resiliency Hubs serve as critical resource centers that help communities respond, recover, and rebuild.
The partnership has proven especially valuable in recent years. Through Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton, FISH and United Way worked alongside numerous community partners to connect residents with food, water, emergency supplies, financial assistance, information, and long-term recovery resources. The relationship helps to ensure that services reach those who need them most while reducing duplication of efforts and strengthening community response systems.
This year, FISH joins fellow United Way partner agencies in recognizing the United Way One in a Million Campaign. During a critical time for United Way, the campaign underscores the importance of sustaining the network of partner agencies that provide essential services and support to thousands of Southwest Florida residents each year.
For FISH, the campaign aligns closely with its own mission of neighbors helping neighbors. “Strong communities are built through partnerships,” said Espinoza. “No single organization can meet every need alone. By working together, sharing resources, and supporting one another, we can create a stronger, more resilient future for everyone who calls Southwest Florida home.”
While FISH has grown significantly since becoming a United Way House in 2009, its commitment remains unchanged. Through food programs, senior services, island-based education, Helping Hands financial assistance, disaster preparedness efforts, and long term recovery initiatives, FISH continues to serve as a place where neighbors can turn for help, guidance, and hope.
As the partnership between FISH and United Way continues, both organizations remain focused on strengthening the region’s ability to respond to challenges, support families, and ensure that every resident has access to the resources needed to succeed.
