In January, United Against Poverty will be unveiling their new 46,000-square-foot UP Center, located at 1400 27th Street, Vero Beach. The Up Center will be a community hub with the collaboration of multiple social service partners. Members of the community will be able to access critical services to help lift themselves and their families out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency
United Against Poverty (UP) is transforming the vacant citrus warehouse across the street from their current location into a new multi-function campus. The new space will allow UP to expand their programs and services which will create a significant impact on our community as they plan on serving over 1,000 families a day who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
The location will house an 18,000-square-foot member share grocery program, innovative education, development, and training programs, crisis stabilization services, a new small-business development program, and a medical facility that will include mental health counseling services.
“Our vision was to create a center for our community where services and partners come together in one building to serve those in need,” says Annabel Robertson, Executive Director of UP. “By combining our resources and strengths, we can now better serve the special population in our community by providing a continuum of services beyond the scope of each single agency.”
“The center,” Robertson continues, “will offer people direct access to fresh, nutritious food, employment support, crisis care, medical services, mental health treatment, veteran’s programs, senior services, housing support, and transportation solutions.” It will also offer innovative training services with an entrepreneurial center holding business education and computer classes, and health & wellness initiatives such as yoga, fitness, meditation, and holistic support.
“We’ve worked hard to create a welcoming environment before you even step through the front door,” says Franklin (Trip) Snelson, Development Director of UP. His goal is for people to feel welcome upon arrival. “UP sees over 650 people a day at our current location, and we want them to feel comfortable and safe here.”
For its partnering agencies, the center will also offer a community conference room and a meeting space. The Veterans Council, Saint Helen’s Ministry for the Poor, VNA Community Education Program, Department of Children and Families Access Florida, AARP Foundation, and Treasure Coast Community Health Clinic are among those partners that will have offices located within the building.
“We are making a commitment to this community with the opening of this new, larger facility to help more of those members of our community that need a hand up in a big way,” says Robertson. She extends an invitation for everyone to visit the new location on Jan. 25, when they host their grand opening.
