United Way of Broward County was recently awarded $150,000 from HCA Healthcare’s HCA Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund to support its “United For Seniors” program, which pairs isolated, at-risk seniors with Broward College students who provide in-home and community support. HCA Healthcare presented United Way of Broward County with the funds during a check presentation earlier this month.

“HCA East Florida Division is honored to award this gift to United Way of Broward County,” Charles Gressle says, HCA East Florida Division president. “Their tireless work creating, operating and funding vital programs and services in our community aligns with our commitment to improve human lives. We are proud of this partnership.

The “United for Seniors” program launched in November 2021 as a partnership between United Way of Broward County, the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (AAABC), and Broward College. It brings

companionship and assistance to seniors who face isolation by pairing them with Broward College students. Some students are working towards degrees in service professions, such as social work, nursing and therapy, and their efforts enable them to gain valuable paid experience working with seniors. Seniors served by the project are age 60 and older or on the AAABC’s home and community-based services waitlist due to impairments that make it difficult for them to live independently, placing them at risk for early entry into assisted living or a nursing home.

“We are so grateful for this most generous gift from the HCA Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund that will help the vulnerable seniors in our community,” Kathleen Cannon says, president/CEO of United Way of Broward County. “Our “United for Seniors” Program provides our most vulnerable seniors with companionship and support to improve health outcomes, something that is currently not available to so many.”