United Way Works to Promote Healthy Lifestyles and Relationships

From babies to seniors, United Way aims to improve the health of all in our community. United Way works to increase access to basic needs, such as food and hygiene, to empower individuals and families to thrive. Family relationships are also an important factor in overall community health and, thus, a key focus area for United Way.

Our Strategy

According to the most recent ALICE data, 40% of Oconee householders ages 65+ struggle to afford their basic necessities. United Way of Oconee County works to improve the quality of life for all seniors in our county. One way we do this is through our Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. This program is a partnership with the DSS Nutrition Program, and it offers $50 vouchers for seniors to use on fresh produce from local farmers. At our annual distribution event, we also offer seniors tokens to use at The F.A.R.M. Center's Foothills Heritage Market. This program takes places once a year in the summer. In 2026, we served 500 seniors!

Our Basic Needs & Diaper Program also serves seniors, as well as families. Through this program, we offer free hygiene kits and diapers to help bridge the gap for residents in our community. No government subsidy program allows the purchase of hygiene or diapers, only food. These items can be very expensive, so our program aims to alleviate the stress of choosing between diapering a loved one and paying a light bill. Hygiene kits and diapers are available at our office (4 Leas Courtyard Dr., Seneca, SC 29672). Please call (864)-882-9743 ext. 104 to learn more.

Thriving communities start at home. The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) helps foster healthy family relationships. This program is an evidence-based family skills training program for high-risk and general population families that is recognized both nationally and internationally. Parents and youth attend weekly SFP skills classes together, learning parenting skills and youth life and refusal skills. They have separate class training for parents and youth in the first hour, followed by a joint family practice session in the second hour.

How You Can Help

Your donation to United Way of Oconee County helps us expand our programs' reach. Ready to make an investment in the health of your community? Visit https://www.oconeeunitedway.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2 to make a difference today and remember UNITED IS THE WAY! (If you would like to specify which program your donation goes to, please type the name of that program in the "donor notes" box on the Donate page.)