News

By: Kristy Pate, Director of Marketing, United Way of West Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. (July 9, 2026) -- Just one year ago, Jason had a job.

Today, the U.S. veteran is nearly blind, living with diabetes and experiencing homelessness after losing his employment when his eyesight rapidly declined. Without identification, even accessing benefits, medical care and housing assistance has become an uphill battle.

But at Epps Christian Center, hope is taking shape one step at a time.

Q: Can you tell us about your role as Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator and what a typical day looks like?

June is Hurricane Preparedness Month, a timely reminder for residents across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to prepare before a storm threatens our area. While hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, experts agree that the best time to prepare is before a storm is even on the radar.

Why Volunteering Matters in West Florida

As of September 30, 2025, a major change in the way Americans receive federal payments has officially taken effect. The IRS and the U.S. Treasury have stopped issuing paper checks for tax refunds and most other federal disbursements. This change comes from Executive Order 14247, titled “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” signed earlier this year in March 2025.