Many immigrant families and non-English speaking families are facing impacts stemming from the COVID-19 crisis. 

United Way supported SouthSide Early Childhood Center is seeing this firsthand. At SouthSide, 43% of children have a first language other than English, 48% come from immigrant families, and 80% live in poverty.  

With support from a United Way emergency response grant, Southside Early Childhood Center is helping these families bridge the gaps by: 

• Providing financial assistance so families won’t have to choose which bills to pay, whether to buy food or medicine, and how to make ends meet. 

• Helping especially vulnerable multi-generational or single-parent homes afford the basics, like food, household goods and diapers and avoid falling into debt.  
• Connecting non-English speaking and immigrant families to other community resources for additional help.  

What this support means 

Additional funding from United Way has enabled local nonprofits to provide rent, mortgage and utility assistance to more than 900 families across the St. Louis region, families like Sofía’s.* 

Sofía, a single mother of two, ran her own business cleaning houses until COVID-19 hit. Once stay-at-home orders were issued, her clients started canceling her services. By the end of the month, she couldn’t afford food, diapers and wipes on top of rent. Southside’s support allowed her to stock up on the necessities and pay her rent so her family could stay safely in their home. 

We are all United 

This is just one example of the critical work being done in our community right now. In the coming weeks, United Way will continue to stand by our region, helping with both critical disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts. 

*Name changed for privacy. 

Take action now:

• If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, dial 2-1-1 or visit 211helps.org to get connected to local resources.