UNITED IS THE WAY
At United Way, we envision a thriving Baytown area and Chambers County where everyone can live healthy lives, access opportunity, build financial security, and stand resilient together. Our mission is to bring our community together to take action, solve problems, and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Whether it's helping children succeed in school, connecting families to health services, or strengthening our neighborhoods in times of crisis, we're here to unite people, resources, and ideas that create lasting change in the Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County.
OUR VALUES
At United Way, our values guide everything we do—from how we lead to how we show up for our community. We act with purpose, compassion, and accountability, building strong relationships and driving community-led change. Rooted in collaboration, adaptability, and a people-first mindset, we are united in creating a stronger, more inclusive Baytown and Chambers County.
We are Mission Focused.
We lead with compassion, a people-first mindset, and a community-centered approach.
We Collaborate with Intention.
We engage with purpose, respect, and a united spirit — building authentic relationships within our team and across the community.
We Follow Through
We act with integrity and accountability — always striving to leave people, partnerships, and places better.
We are Innovative
We embrace challenges with creativity and a growth mindset, finding new ways to drive community-led change.
We are Adaptable.
We respond to changing needs with flexibility, resilience, and a commitment to building a strong, more inclusive community.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
In 1887, a woman, a priest, two ministers, and a rabbi came together—not to tell a joke, but to spark a movement. These unlikely allies in Denver recognized that creating real change meant working across lines of faith, background, and perspective. Their vision was simple but bold: unite the community to care for one another.
Together, Frances Wisebart Jacobs, the Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J. O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart, and Rabbi William S. Friedman launched the nation’s first coordinated fundraising effort to support local health and human services. That first campaign raised $21,700 for 10 agencies—and laid the foundation for what we now know as United Way.
Today, United Way is a global force for good. But the heart of our work remains the same: local people, coming together to solve local problems.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
We focus our efforts in four core areas that are essential to building a thriving community. Through these pillars, we create a network of support that meets both immediate needs and long-term goals—right here in the Baytown area and Chambers County.
Healthy Community
Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life.
At United Way, we help people overcome barriers to good health by improving access to nutritious food and quality health education and services, including preventative care, maternal and child health, mental health support, and more.
Youth Opportunity
Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
At United Way, we help children get off to a good start and empower youth to reach their full potential by breaking down barriers to success. We advance what works, including childhood education, literacy development, access to high quality K-12 education, enrichment opportunities lie afterschool and summer programs, college and career readiness, and family engagement, fostering a future where every young person can realize their dreams.
Financial Security
Everyone deserves the opportunity to earn a living that can sustain a family and build security for future generations.
That's why we're helping hard-working families make ends meet while connecting them with the education, financial tools, and job training opportunities to empower them to create a better, more sustainable future for themselves and their loved ones.
Community Resiliency
Every community deserves the opportunity to prosper.
At United Way we work with our neighbors to build resilient communities that are ready for any challenge. Through initiatives in crisis response, environmental stewardship, and disaster preparedness, we are strengthening the foundations of communities for a more sustainable and secure future.