United Way of Delaware County: Recent News

United Way to Invest $2.3 Million in Local Community Programs

May 15, 2011

United Way of Delaware County will award $2.3 million locally to help fund 24 social service agencies in fiscal year 2012 with the goal of building a stronger Delaware County – one individual and family at a time.

As a result of its recent Community Needs Assessment process, United Way will invest $205,000 to address three of the community's emerging needs:

• school-based social workers to help at-risk students remove non-academic barriers to learning;
• free healthcare for both unemployed and underemployed individuals without health insurance;
• financial literacy programming to empower people to become financially self-sufficient.

Marilyn McClure-Demers, volunteer chair of United Way's Community Impact Council, explains how non-profit agencies partner with United Way to address community needs. "Some 40 volunteers from throughout Delaware County review proposals, go on site visits, and hold robust discussions to reach consensus as to which agencies are best suited to meet the community's needs in the most efficient manner possible." McClure-Demers says that in addition to the three priority areas, "United Way will continue to direct funds to support the community's safety net, such as food, shelter, rent and utility assistance, legal aid, mental health, and drug and alcohol counseling."

"We're really proud this year that we're directing funds toward several model programs," says McClure-Demers. "These are trend-setting programs that are approaching community problems in an innovative way." They include: childhood obesity through school nutrition consultation and curriculum; transitional homes for women of domestic violence (in addition to the traditional shelter); and first-time housing and other assistance for 18-21 year olds who have aged out of the foster care system. "These are common problems across the U.S., and right here in Delaware County we have three outstanding agencies who are thinking out of the box in an attempt to not only address the issue, but tackle it in a way that leads to life-long change and improvement."

United Way allocations will begin July 1 and total $2,361,009 million—a nearly 5% increase over last year's allocations.

Funding partners and their programs include:

• Turning Point - $112,283 for assistance, shelter and advocacy for victims of domestic violence.
• Senior Services for Independent Living-$81,933 for independent living assistance for elderly.
• Salvation Army - $108,837 to support transitional housing programs for individuals, young adults, families, and persons with disabilities.
• People in Need - $307,232 for emergency assistance and food pantry.  
• Maryhaven - $49,865 to provide substance abuse counseling and treatment.
• Marion Shelter - $28,767 for homeless shelters/programming for Delaware County persons.
• Liberty Community Center - $215,904 for early childhood day care.
• Legal Aid Society - $38,806 for civil legal assistance to low-income persons.
• Heritage Day Health Centers - $36,324 for adult day care services.
• HelpLine of Delaware & Morrow Counties - $105,799 for information and referral services, and volunteer coordination to disasters.
• Grace Clinic of Delaware County - $88,464 to provide free healthcare to both unemployed and underemployed without health insurance.
• Girl Scouts-Ohio's Heartland - $39,519 for youth development.
• Friends of CASA - $12,599 to support volunteers serving as court appointed child advocates.  
• Family Promise of Delaware County - $67,008 for emergency, short-term housing for homeless families and job skills/readiness programming and support.
• Directions for Youth & Families - $135,283 for in-home counseling for at-risk youth and in-school counseling to remove barriers to learning.
• Delaware Speech & Hearing Center - $170,079 for speech, language pathology and audiology services for all ages.
• Delaware General Health District - $11,954 to help prevent childhood obesity through school exercise and nutrition programming and curriculum.
• Council for Older Adults - $132,032 for meals delivered to homebound residents under age 60.
• Concord Counseling - $18,929 for transportation for senior citizens to medical appointments and other errands.
• Community Action Organization - $87,035 for financial literacy programming and tax preparation assistance for low-income wage earners.
• Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council - $43,651 for youth development.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Central Ohio - $142,356 for youth mentoring.
• American Red Cross, Delaware County Chapter - $218,264 for disaster, health & safety services, water safety training, armed services emergency assistance, and blood services. 
• Action for Children - $108,078 for the Family Resource Center at Woodward Elementary, referrals to affordable child care, and professional development and technical assistance.  

Another $360,000 will be allocated to non-United Way partner agencies - as directed by donors.  

To learn how you can help improve the community you come home to and change people's lives in Delaware County, select "Give Now." You may also call United Way of Delaware County at 740-369-9618.