United Way Partner Agency, Abuse Counseling and Treatment’s mission is to protect, support, educate and empower victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Hendry, Glades, and Lee counties.

Abuse Counseling and Treatment’s (ACT) services are completely free and confidential. ACT has a 24 hour, 7 days a week hotline to help people experiencing abuse, and can be reached at either (800) 500-1119, or (239) 939-3112. Services are available in both English and Spanish, and include outreach counseling services for sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Outreach counselors travel all over Hendry and Glades counties providing these free services. Additionally, ACT provides training to community partner agencies to enhance awareness of the abuse issues and available services.

ACT counselors often hear from survivors that they felt unable to leave their abusers due to financial instability. This was the case with a recent participant who was also one of the first clients when the ACT LaBelle facility was opened. A year later she was back in the ACT shelter, ready and determined to leave for good and build a new life for herself and her children. With no job, three children, and her self-confidence shattered, she knew that this was going to be a challenge.

While in the ACT shelter she attended life skills, domestic violence, and financial literacy classes from shelter staff. In addition, she received mental health counseling from a community partner agency, and other agencies gave her vital information about community events and opportunities for employment. She was eventually approved for housing assistance, which helped her move into a new home with her children. While her road was not an easy one, her determination and perseverance made it possible for her to build a new life free from abuse and control! She came in with just a thread of self-confidence, but left feeling empowered and independent!

United Way Partner Agencies like ACT, United Way 211 and others work together to help individuals and families deal with immediate issues like abuse, and to find long term solutions to improve lives.

You can contact ACT’s hotline, or the Hendry-Glades Residential Supervisor Maricela Morado at 239-939-3112 or 800-500-1119.

United Way of Hendry and Glades’ 27 Partner Agencies provide vital services to the people of Hendry and Glades counties. These agencies include Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT), Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Healthy Families, Hope Connections, The Salvation Army, Literacy Council of the Gulf Coast, the YMCA and many more.

When you give to United Way of Hendry and Glades Counties, you are helping your friends and neighbors because your gift stays in the two counties. You can give securely on line at www.UnitedWayLee.org/Donate, and note in the space: Hendry and Glades Campaign.

To reach the United Way Hendry Glades Manager, call (239)-433-7559. People in need of information and referral assistance to health and human services should contact United Way 211. Simply dial 2-1-1, or (800) 887-9234, or visit the United Way website at www.UnitedWayLee.org/211.