Donors are confident in United Way's expertise to use their contributions to help people in crisis and to create long-term solutions to complex problems such as domestic violence and homelessness, and to help with important prevention programs that help children and youth to learn and to thrive. The United Way of San Juan County Community Safety Net, based upon proven results in the community funds the following community impacts:

• Building healthy and resilient children, youth and families
• Ensuring everyone has food to eat, a roof overhead and a healthy living environment
• Creating systems that increase physical and mental health and well-being
• Promoting safety and preventing violence and abuse

Other important criteria we follow in funding:

• Critical unmet emergency needs in the community
• Loss of federal and state funds in essential prevention programs
• Loss of funds in important programs
• Holes that exist in emergencies/prevention/and island specific needs
• New programs that meet critical emergency needs
• Additional staff/hours in successful existing programs