LABELLE — The United Way of Lee, Hendry & Glades Counties (United Way) has submitted notice that they do not wish to renew their lease with the county of the building located at 133 N. Bridge St. in LaBelle. County staff has been in conversation with the United Way about options moving forward to continue providing services to residents.

In September the United Way provided official notice of the non-renewal to their lease. While they plan to continue to fund agencies, they will be stepping back from overseeing day-to-day operations in their hubs. After discussion with United Way, county staff believes that the best fit moving forward will be having county employees handle those functions.

The hub was located there for many years and many residents have come to see it as a place where they can seek assistance. The county has begun advertising for a Mental Health Resource Coordinator and it is the belief of staff that this individual will be able to meet the mental health needs of residents, as well as coordinate volunteers and agencies at the hub.

Despite the changes, the building will continue with the name of United Way Resiliency Hub and the United Way will continue fundraising for agencies, as well as offering other resources as needed and available.

At the Hendry County Commission meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the board approved the request to move forward with this model.

This will cause an annual decrease in revenue of $12,000 due to the termination of the lease agreement.