Advocate. Do you know what it means to advocate?
Advocacy means different things to different people. For some, advocating means talking to others about important issues facing our community; for others, advocacy takes place through writing a letter or getting in touch with an elected official to voice concern or support.
Did you know anyone can champion the cause?
Whether you’re speaking out to improve education, financial stability and health, or wearing your LIVE UNITED shirt to show support, you can help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. United, we advocate for a brighter future. Do it in public. Be visible. Be loud. Whatever you do, make your voice heard!
Trident United Way gives voice to community solutions at the state and local levels. We work with other United Ways in South Carolina through the United Way Association of South Carolina to focus on causes that matter to you:
- School Readiness
- Third Grade Literacy
- Increasing Access to Quality Health Care
- Access to work supports
- Gaining and Sustaining Assets
Take Action
If you would like to join us in our advocacy efforts, please reach out to Joey Current at jcurrent@tuw.org or click the links below for ways you can take action.
Advocating for 211 Helpline Funding
The 211 Helpline is a critical resource that connects individuals with essential services such as housing assistance, food programs and mental health support. There is a legislative request for state funding to sustain the 211 system. By supporting this vital resource, we can continue to serve South Carolinians in need and ensure that help is accessible to all, 24/7.
We need your help to continue educating our legislators about the importance of 211 and securing the necessary funding. Your voice can make a difference in strengthening this crucial service for our communities for many years to come.
Below are links to sample templates for email, text message, social media post and phone script for both the Senate and House of Representatives. Together, we can ensure that help is just a call away when our neighbors need it most.
Click here to look up information on your district representatives.
Subject: Support Funding for SC 211 Network
Dear [Senator_____ ],
I am writing as your constituent to urge your support for state funding for South Carolina 211 (SC 211), our state’s free and confidential information and referral service.
Established by the General Assembly in 2002, SC 211 connects individuals and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week to critical resources such as food, housing, utilities, and healthcare. In 2025 alone, SC 211 handled more than 101,000 calls and provided over 191,000 referrals to South Carolinians in need.
I respectfully ask that you support an allocation of $1,200,000 in recurring state funds to sustain the SC 211 Network. This investment will ensure that all South Carolinians can continue to access essential services when they need them most.
Thank you for your leadership and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Text Message
Hi [Senator_____], I’m one of your constituent asking you to support $1.2M in recurring funding for the SC 211 Network. SC 211 connects thousands of South Carolinians to food, housing, healthcare, and crisis support handling over 101K calls in 2025 alone. State support is critical to sustain this essential service. Please support this investment.
Social Media Post
South Carolina families rely on SC 211 every day for help with food, housing, healthcare, and more.
In 2025 alone:
• 101,979 calls answered
• 191,194 referrals made
Now, this critical service is at risk. I’m asking our state Senators to support $1.2M in recurring funding to sustain the SC 211 Network and ensure every South Carolinian can get help when they need it most.
Phone Message Script
Hello, my name is ______ and I am a constituent from [City/County].
I’m calling to ask [Senator Name] to support $1.2 million in recurring funding for the South Carolina 211 Network. SC 211 is a vital statewide service that connects people to food, housing, healthcare, and crisis support 24/7.
In 2025 alone, SC 211 handled over 101,000 calls and made more than 191,000 referrals to help South Carolinians meet basic needs.
State funding is critical to sustain this essential network and ensure people can access help when they need it most.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Subject: Support Funding for SC 211 Network
Dear [Representative Last Name],
I am writing as your constituent to urge your support for South Carolina 211 (SC 211), our state’s free and confidential information and referral service.
Established by the General Assembly in 2002, SC 211 connects individuals and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week to critical resources such as food, housing, utilities, and healthcare. In 2025 alone, SC 211 handled more than 101,000 calls and provided over 191,000 referrals to South Carolinians in need.
Support S. 697 to move SC 211 to the Department of Consumer Affairs.This legislation will ensure that all South Carolinians can continue to access essential services when they need them most.
Thank you for your leadership and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Text Message
Hi [Rep Name], I’m on of your constituent asking you to support S. 697 to move SC 211 to the Department of Consumer Affairs. SC 211 connects thousands of South Carolinians to food, housing, healthcare, and crisis support handling over 101K calls in 2025 alone. State support is critical to sustain this essential service. Please support this legislation.
Social Media Post
South Carolina families rely on SC 211 every day for help with food, housing, healthcare, and more.
In 2025 alone:
• 101,979 calls answered
• 191,194 referrals made
Now, this critical service is at risk, we ask the SC House of Representatives support S. 697 to move SC 211 to the Department of Consumer Affairs. Continued state support is critical to sustain this essential service. Please support this legislation.
Phone Message Script
Hello, my name is _______, and I am a constituent from [City/County].
I’m calling to ask [Representative Name] to support S. 697 to move SC 211 to the Department of Consumer Affairs. SC 211 is a vital statewide service that connects people to food, housing, healthcare, and crisis support 24/7.
In 2025 alone, SC 211 handled over 101,000 calls and made more than 191,000 referrals to help South Carolinians meet basic needs.
State funding is critical to sustain this essential network and ensure people can access help when they need it most.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Letters for Support
Public Policy Updates
Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement
United Ways across South Carolina succeeded in passing a financial literacy graduation requirement for SC students.
- Passed legislature through budget proviso
- Requires all students to complete a half credit in financial literacy (one semester)
- Takes the place of an elective credit instead of replacing World Economics requirement
- Coursework requirement will begin in 2023 to be taught by 2025 (it is a junior or senior level course)
- UWASC and local United Ways working to expand financial literacy building blocks to earlier grades.
Read more about the Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement.