Behind the Numbers: How United Way Supports St. Johns County Families

St. Johns County has a reputation for affluence. The numbers tell a more complicated story.

In a recent Chamber Conversation, Isabelle Renault, President and CEO of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, sat down with Carl Cricco, President and CEO of United Way of St. Johns and Putnam Counties. The conversation focused on the local need behind the county's image, and how businesses can help address it.

The Real Numbers

Cricco pointed to the "ALICE" population: residents who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are people working full time, often at more than one job, who still cannot keep up with the cost of living. As of 2023, about 25% of St. Johns County fell into this category. Add in the roughly 7% of residents living in poverty, and close to a third of the county is struggling financially.

That strain shows up most clearly in housing. Cricco said 45% of calls to the 211 helpline are housing related, and about half of those calls are requests for rental assistance.

How Emergency Assistance Works

United Way's emergency services step in when a sudden expense, like a car repair or a medical bill, threatens a family's ability to pay rent. Residents call 211, and United Way verifies their situation and pays the bill directly. In the case of rent, the organization pays the landlord, not the tenant, so the money goes straight to keeping people in their homes. Assistance is limited to once a year per household.

The Power of Workplace Giving

Cricco described workplace giving as one of United Way's founding tools, and one of its most effective. Local businesses partner with United Way and give employees the option to contribute directly from their paycheck. There is no pressure attached. A single dollar per paycheck may seem small, but across a workforce of hundreds, it adds up into meaningful funding.

That funding flows through United Way's Community Impact Grant program, which supports more than 30 local nonprofits working in housing affordability, food insecurity, education and disaster resilience. The program awards $1.2 million every two years, following a vetting process that includes financial review and on-site visits by volunteer auditors.

Cricco emphasized that every dollar stays local. United Way of St. Johns and Putnam Counties funds only organizations serving those two counties, giving the group close knowledge of local needs and the nonprofits addressing them.

Ways to Help Beyond Money

For those who cannot give financially, Cricco pointed to volunteering as a strong alternative. United Way works with nonprofits across the county, from youth literacy programs to Habitat for Humanity builds, so there is likely a fit for almost any skill or interest. Material donations, from canned food to cars to toys, are also welcome and can be routed to the organizations that need them.

A Community Effort

Cricco closed the conversation with a simple message: individual contributions, however small, add up to real support for neighbors across St. Johns and Putnam counties.

Businesses interested in setting up workplace giving, or residents looking to volunteer, can contact United Way of St. Johns and Putnam Counties directly.