Julie had been out of a job for several years, due to autism. Julie was invited to an UP Orlando Success Training Employment Program (STEP) graduation ceremony, where she met several UP Orlando STEP staff who motivated her to enroll in the STEP program. The program had a powerful and profound impact on Julie. “The STEP program impacted my life in so many ways. I learned about myself, gained confidence, learned new skills, and most importantly learned how important it is to listen. I was even named alumni ambassador! I am so excited about what my future holds”.
I need assistance with:
Orlando Campus
Helping families and individuals with a Hand UP
United Against Poverty Orlando - Serving Central Florida Since 2003.
United Against Poverty Orlando was founded in 2003 with a mission of transforming lives in Central Florida by empowering people to uplift themselves and their families to break the cycle of poverty. We deliver the necessary programs and services to help move families from crisis to economic self-sufficiency.
By connecting people to life-saving tools and resources, we aim to foster an environment in which individuals and families across Central Florida have the opportunity to pursue a future filled with hope and possibility.
We are proud to have been able to serve over 22,000+ families in 2023 with life essential services. We hope to continue to inspire and empower individuals and families to lift themselves to economic self-sufficiency. Together, we can create lasting change to combat poverty in Central Florida!
Our Mission
&
Vision
United Against Poverty was incorporated in 2003 with the vision of helping communities where every family and individual has access to basic needs, nutritional food, crisis care, education, and employment training, and where everyone has the opportunity to achieve a future filled with hope and possibilities.
Our Purpose: To empower families and individuals to lift themselves to sustainable economic self-sufficiency.
Our Mission: To serve families and individuals by providing crisis care, case management, transformative education, food and household subsidy, employment training and placement, personal empowerment training and active referrals to other collaborative social service providers.
Our work is shaped by the understanding that, together, we can create lasting change to combat life’s most difficult challenges.
Our Values
Dignity. Integrity. Respect.
Compassion. Empowerment.
Responsibility. Collaboration.
Holistic Approach.
UAP offers programs to help stabilize the foundations of our communities and foster the confidence needed to lift them to sustainable economic stability.
Member Share
Grocery Program
United Against Poverty’s Member Share Grocery Program is an accessible, dignified, worry-free food assistance program where you can select food and household products suited toward you and your family’s needs.
Our Members contribute a small handling fee per item to support program sustainability. This meaningful exchange is part of our Hand UP model designed to restore dignity and instill empowerment.
Membership is FREE
to those who qualify!
Offers a wide range of fresh produce, proteins, freezer items, pantry staples and more.
Members can save up to two- thirds of their household food and product budget by utilizing our grocery program.
In 2024, United Against Poverty served 8,416 unique members who utilized the Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP).
Military Mondays
Bring in a Military ID and receive a 10% discount in the Member Share Grocery Program.
Senior Wednesdays
Are you 55 or older? Every Wednesday, enjoy 10% off items in the Member Share Grocery Program.
Educator Thursdays
Are you a school educator? Teachers receive a 10% discount in the Member Share Grocery Program with their school ID.
College Student Fridays
Bring in a current school ID and receive a 10% discount in the Member Share Grocery Program
The Member Share Grocery Program is a significant part of the UP Mission; this service allows eligible members to access fresh, quality groceries at a reduced cost, helping to ease the financial burden of food insecurity faced by many low-income families throughout Orlando. Members have the opportunity to save up to two-thirds of their household food and product budget by utilizing our grocery program. Membership is always free.
In 2023, UP Orlando served over 8,416 unique members who utilized the Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP) which serves families at or below the 200% poverty level. The MSGP program affords individuals access to low-cost groceries, allowing them to stretch their budgets and put an aggregate amount of $5.5 million back into our local economy.
How It Works:
Qualified families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level must fill out an application. Upon qualification, individuals become members and can begin purchase of food or household products.
Check the chart below to see if your household qualifies:2025 Poverty Guidelines
48 Contiguous States (all states except Alaska and Hawaii)Household Size Annual Household Income At/Below 1 $31,300 2 $42,300 3 $53,300 4 $64,300 For families/households with more than 4 persons, add $11,000 for each additional person.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
Gold Members receive 5% daily discount on groceries*
*Military or Senior 55+ only receive the normal 10% discount for Military Monday and 10% discount for Seniors on Wednesday in lieu of the 5%. There is no discount stacking.
Gold Member Required Documents: Proof of income, active social security benefits letter, active SNAP benefits letter, active Medicaid benefits letter, recent paystubs, recent W-2 or 1040.
Become a Member today!
Click the button below to access the Member Share Grocery application form:
Ready to Contribute?
Click the button below to learn how to become a product partner, how to donate, and more info about MSGP
0Unique Members
$0Resources Retained
ParseError: syntax error, unexpected token "=>"
What Is STEP?
Contact us to Learn More
A team member will respond to all inquiries.
Getting a Job is Hard,
but you don't have to do it alone!
Whether you are unemployed or underemployed, our Employment Programs are designed to assist you in securing the dream job and financial stability you deserve!
Our Success Training Employment Program (STEP) is a FREE 3-phase program that provides participants with valuable skills, confidence, and knowledge to help secure employment and reach financial goals. In 2023, we helped 66 low-income individuals obtain job skills training, gain employment, and increase their household income. We had 37 graduates become successfully employed. Not only did these individuals increase their income, but this also created a $1,007,464 “social cost avoidance”, which refers to the expense’s taxpayers would have incurred for the unemployment, rent/utility assistance, emergency room usage, and criminal justice costs.
We also host career events at the UP Center featuring dozens of our career partners. These are incredible, not to be missed events for those seeking employment across a variety of different fields.
Thanks to our Employment Programs, we’re able to connect participants with a variety of life-changing tools, skills, and opportunities, including resume building, professional development, networking, and more!
Phase
1
Job Training
Join fellow participants seeking career growth by completing 4 Weeks of valuable classroom training. You will gain industry-recognized certifications, craft a winning resume, and learn how to prepare for and secure a job offer.
Phase
2
Career Connection
During STEP, you will connect with top employers and industry leaders in your area. You will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of employers for one-on-one interviews.
Phase
3
Success Coaching
Once you have obtained employment, receive one-on-one coaching to help you excel in your position and become a strong candidate for future career advancement. Our goal is to help you succeed!
Want to Donate? Here's How:
STEP into your future with the Success Training Employment Program.
Whether you are unemployed or underemployed, our STEP program is designed to assist you in securing the dream job and financial stability you deserve!
Thanks to our Success Training Employment Program, we’re able to connect program participants with a variety of life-changing employment tools, skills, and opportunities, including resume building, professional development, networking, and more!
In 2022, we helped 57 low-income individuals obtain job skills training, gain employment, and increase their household income. We had 26 graduates become successfully employed. Not only did the individuals increase their income, this created a $787,640 “social cost avoidance”, which refers to the expenses taxpayers would have incurred for unemployment, rent/utility assistance, emergency room usage, and criminal justice costs.
The Ideal Participant
- Looking for dream job!
- Dedicated to setting goals
- Open to learning new skills
- Excited to transform their lives
- Ready to work!
- Prepared to improve
Sucess
“My success story in this program is I have learned how to manage my emotions, use perspective when dealing with others, and to shine a light on the areas I need to improve that will eliminate the poverty mindset. I have also gained knowledge and skills that I believe will better prepare me for interviewing and being successful in the workplace. I am greatly appreciative of the STEP program because I am confident that my life and my family’s life is forever changed because I now see things in a different light which will better equip me for decision making in my spending, how I pay bills and where I choose to put my focus.”
Keyshaundra, STEP Graduate
Our Employer Partners
0Employed
$0Combined Income
Employed
$
Combined Income
Crisis Care
With Compassion
Help Starts Here
One-On-One Meetings
Our Crisis Navigator meets with individuals as part of the intake process to discuss and access needs and current situation.
Customized Care Plan
Together with our Case Management Team a customized care plan is created that outlines the programs and services best suited for an individuals needs.
Long Term Roadmap
A detailed case plan provides an achievable step-by-step roadmap outlining immediate and long-term goals to stabilize your life and help achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Action Steps may Include:
- Housing and/or Shelter Assistance
- Obtaining Identification Items
- Employment Assistance
- Counseling for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Transportation Barriers
- Access to Community Based Resources
Our Difference
We don’t just offer referrals; we team up with nonprofit partners and community resources to make a real difference. We are here with you every step of the way to empower you, help you reach your goals, and guide you toward success.
Our Crisis Care Program is intended to provide support for those facing instability in their lives, whether that be physical, financial, or emotional. Our dedicated staff can provide access to community-based resources and emergency support to overcome their immediate needs, assisting them in creating a long-term plan for self-sufficiency to prevent facing similar problems in the future.
Each program participant undergoes an initial formal intake process to assess their current situation. You will meet one-on-one with a member of our Case Management Team, and, together, you will create a customized care plan. Each participant’s customized care plan is designed to help guide them and includes an achievable action plan. We are here to help you every step of the way!
To make an appointment, please call our Life Enrichment Center at 407-650-0774 x 426.
In 2023, UP Orlando Crisis Navigators delivered 8,291 units of life essential crisis services to 1,373 unique households.
Get Help Now !
If you are facing a crisis and don’t know where to turn, visit the Orlando UP Center at 150 W Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806 or call 407-650-0774 and request a meeting with our Crisis Navigator for assistance.
Contact us For Assistance
A Crisis Navigator team member will respond to all inquiries.
Donate
Volunteer
NOTICING THE UNNOTICED
United Against Poverty of Orlando is grateful for the community of supporters who believe in our mission to break the cycle of poverty by offering a hand up, not just a handout. If you would like to mail a gift to United Against Poverty, please send it to 150 W. Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806. In addition to inviting you to give a gift online, we encourage you to consider these additional investment options:
- Multiply your impact by asking your human resources department if they offer Matching Gift opportunities.
- Celebrate the life of a friend or loved one by making a gift in their honor or in their memory.
- Help sustain our programs year-round by making a recurring gift.
- Leave a legacy by including UP Orlando in your estate plans.
- Take advantage of tax savings by making a contribution via stock transfer.
Tax Information
United Against Poverty is a registered 501c3 nonprofit and contributions are tax deductible. Donation acknowledgment letters will be sent in the mail within 3 business days of the donation. Our Federal Tax ID is 11-3697936. Download our IRS Letter of Determination and W-9 forms below.
Lifting Lives One Hand at a Time
Come Volunteer!
It is only through generous investment of time and talent that we can lift the lives of struggling families in our community. Our volunteers ensure the smooth daily operation of our campus, so that our financial resources can be utilized in the most effective way possible.
In 2023, a remarkable 56,961 hours of service valued at $1.80M were recorded by our volunteers. We simply could not operate without you! Individual United Against Poverty volunteers assist with everything from stocking shelves in our Member Share Grocery Program to organizing the food pantry and staffing our welcome desk.
*Children must be ten years of age or older to participate in our regular volunteer opportunities. Youth under 16 years of age must have a parent or adult guardian present at all times while volunteering. Family Volunteer night invites volunteers of all ages!
Collaborative Partner Services
Collaborative Partner Services
Collaboration is a key component of our mission. At UP Orlando, we advocate a “more is more” approach. We believe that the more agencies we partner with and the more services and resources we can make available on-site, the more we can help those who are hidden, hungry and hurting.
We regularly make active referrals to partner agencies so that people in crisis can access the services they need to stabilize their lives. Through these partnerships, we can maximize our impact and better serve those in need in this Orlando community.
Calendar of Events
Featured Events
October 02, 2024Annual event held in October with more than 400 major donors, volunteers, and community partners coming together for awareness and…- Annual event held in November where community partners come together to distribute a complete Thanksgiving meals to our UP Orlando…
- Annual event with major donors and partners enjoying a special night raising funds for children's toys and Thanksgiving meals. These…
Upcoming Events
View Full CalendarNews & Press
United Against Poverty is dedicated to helping people across Florida lift themselves up and out of the cycle of poverty. Discover the latest stories, testimonials, and updates coming out of United Against Poverty’s Orlando campus.
Latest News
United Against Poverty Orlando celebrates new freezers and fridges after hurricane hardships
Nearly $1M raised to replace units after Hurricane Ian The store, part of the Member Share Grocery Program, is located on…
United Against Poverty celebrates 20 years of giving a hand-up
United Against Poverty celebrates 20 years this year in its south downtown location at 150 W. Michigan St. The registered 501(c)(3)…
Latest DeVos Family Foundation Grant Helps Fight Against Poverty in Central Florida
In times of financial crisis, one of the most challenging obstacles is finding where to turn for guidance and assistance.…
Success Stories
We at United Against Poverty are incredibly proud of the positive impact we’ve had in our communities. Our Success Stories are a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, and the difference that dedicated compassion, support, and outreach can make.
Read through our Success Stories to learn more about the individuals we’ve helped on their journey to self-sufficiency.
Upon completing our 4-week STEP program, Monica landed a full-time job, with benefits and a salary that allowed her to obtain an apartment of her own and keep her car.
“The STEP program impacted my life in so many ways. I learned about myself, gained confidence, learned new skills, and most importantly learned how important it is to listen. I was even named alumni ambassador! I am so excited about what my future holds”
Graduating from STEP, Keyshaundra landed a job at a local apartment complex. With this newfound stability, she secured her own apartment and left behind the cycle of poverty.
Keyshaundra Reynolds’s journey from homelessness and addiction to stability and success is a testament to the transformative power of support and perseverance. Struggling just a year ago, she found herself alone, burdened by debt and in despair. She joined the Success Training Employment Program through United Against Poverty which marked a turning point. With the guidance of our STEP team, she tackled her challenges head-on. Despite setbacks, Keyshaundra never lost hope. Graduating from STEP, Keyshaundra landed a job at a local apartment complex. With this newfound stability, she secured her own apartment and left behind the cycle of poverty. Keyshaundra’s story embodies resilience and the promise of a brighter future.
My husband was our sole provider, due to illness he became disabled in less than 2 years. We got evicted from our home of 5 years and found ourselves living in our vehicle. I was desperate and really didn’t know where life was taking me. We were confused and didn’t know what direction to turn, I cried all the time. I came to the St. Lucie County UP Center and spoke to the Crisis Navigator looking for help. The Crisis Navigator provided me with many useful resources to help us get started including how to save money on my groceries by signing up for the Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP) and information on the Success Training Employment Program (STEP).
I immediately signed up for the grocery program and joined the next cohort of STEP, and that is when my life began to change. STEP helped me gain my confidence back and focus on my hopes and dreams. I’m no longer afraid of change, I embrace it. Because of the programs offered at the UP Center, I am now working at Sailfish Brewing Company and have found stable housing. I cannot express my gratitude enough.
Board & Staff
Community Advisory Board
United Against Poverty Orlando’s dedicated Community Advisory Board is committed to our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty in communities across the United States.
Dan Pugh
Board Chair
Residential Building Supply
Joyce Boudoin
Board Vice Chair, Programs Committee Chair
Renee DeRouin-Jessen
Health First
Alicia Bechtel
Orlando Health
Hollie Croft
Nelson Mullins Broad and Cassel
Chief Eric D. Smith
Orlando Police Department
Jack and Sharon Myers
Jennifer Englert Schmitt
The Orlando Law Group
Edward DeAguilera
Director of Business Development and Fundraising
John Dowless
Mayor, City of Edgewood
Katy Eld
Florida Blue
Keith Landry
EXP Realty
Lucas Daniel Boyce
Orange County Government, County Administration
Erik Weiner
President, City National Bank
Robert Deininger
Advent Health
Tracey Nguyen
USMLEAGLE PREP
Rajan Joshi
Staff
United Against Poverty Orlando’s dedicated Community Advisory Board is committed to our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty in communities across the United States.
Anjali Vaya
Executive Director
Jaye Silvagnoli
Director of Programs
Karlye Martorelli
Director of Development
Charlene Eberly
Director, Grants
Naydelin Trejo
Manager, Development
Sergio Silva
Crisis Stabilization Manager
Kristian Sherman
MSGP Manager
Get In Touch
Orlando
Campus
Campus
Connect with our community of compassionate doers and thinkers.
150 W. Michigan St., Orlando, FL 32806 (407) 650-0774