United Way of Central Kentucky announced $879,725 in community funding to 33 local health and human service programs serving residents in Hardin, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, and Meade Counties. This community investment was made possible by the generosity of more 3,000 individual donors who gave to United Way’s 2018 annual campaign.
This year, program funding requests from local non-profit agencies totaled more than $1.2 million, with funding decisions made by 22 community volunteers dedicating a combined 880 hours of service during the allocations process. In a strategic effort, Community Investment Team volunteers employ consistent, standardized methods to evaluate and ultimately fund those programs best positioned to expand educational opportunities, increase access to health care and essential services, and improve financial stability.
“United Way volunteers are asked to evaluate programs based upon community needs, measurable outcomes, financial transparency, and accountability,” said Chad Sarver, General Manager of Altec, Inc. and 2019 Community Investment Team Chair. “Working together, it’s our hope that these programs awarded funding can create a stronger, more vibrant community.”
As reflected below, grant awards continue to reflect a focus of resources to move more families out of poverty through education and employment, while continuing to meet basic needs:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana: $50,000 to facilitate meaningful, monitored mentoring between adult volunteers and children.
- Breckinridge County Schools: $7,500 to improve kindergarten readiness through United Way Born Learning Academies and support after-school vocational training for students.
- Breckinridge-Grayson Programs: $5,000 to provide students and their families with essential basic hygiene supplies and increase family engagement in early childhood education.
- CASA of the Heartland: $50,000 to provide children in the Hardin County court system with trained volunteer advocates who care for their best interests and help them find safe, permanent, and loving homes.
- Cloverport Independent School District: $4,000 to increase access to basic hygiene supplies and support career-focused initiatives for students.
- Community Health Clinic: $70,000 to improve access to medical, dental, and patient advocacy services for the uninsured and underinsured residents of our community.
- Elizabethtown Independent Schools: $33,000 to provide free, high-quality books to young children and support after-school initiatives which provide at-risk students with homework assistance and enrichment opportunities otherwise not afforded to them.
- Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland: $65,000 to supply community members with a stable source of food and provide children with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food to keep them from going hungry when school is not in session.
- Grayson County Alliance: $50,000 to improve food stability for local families.
- Grayson County Ministerial Association: $10,000 to provide rent, utility, and other basic need assistance which improve stability.
- Grayson County Schools: $10,500 to foster mentorship opportunities and purchase supplies which provide opportunities for students to explore various career fields of interest, and support United Way Born Learning Academies which improve school readiness.
- Hardin County Schools: $57,465 to improve kindergarten readiness through United Way Born Learning Academies, encourage positive parent/child relationships, conduct educational home visits, and keep teen parents on track to graduate.
- Hardin County Skills U: $20,760 to provide one on one success coaching for adult students pursuing their GED.
- Helping Hand of Hope: $100,000 to provide beds, pillows, and linens to children who otherwise do not have a bed to sleep in and emergency financial assistance to individuals and families.
- Home of the Innocents: $2,000 to teach parents and caregivers the skills they need to prevent child abuse and neglect in the home.
- Larue County Schools: $14,000 to expand afterschool club scholarships for at-risk students which engage students in extra-curricular activities otherwise not afforded to them.
- Magnolia Cumberland Presbyterian Church: $17,000 to provide fresh produce, meat, and other food items to families struggling with hunger.
- Mission Hope for Kids: $15,000 to provide an enriching after-school environment and improve outcomes for at-risk students through supportive mentor relationships.
- Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services: $40,000 to provide counseling to children who have suffered sexual abuse, preventing future mental health and substance abuse which can stem from untreated trauma.
- SpringHaven Domestic Violence Program: $60,000 to provide safety and advocacy support for survivors of domestic violence as well as resources needed to regain independence.
- Tri County CASA: $22,500 to afford abused and neglected children in the Breckinridge, Grayson, and Meade County court system with trained volunteer advocates who care for their best interests and help them find safe, permanent, and loving homes.
- 2-1-1: $26,000 to administer services through the local 2-1-1 call center which provides information and referrals to community resources with 24/7 access to all residents in Central Kentucky.
- Way to Work: $150,000 to provide one-on-one coaching and job training through a network of comprehensive employment and barrier removal services.
“We measure our success in actual lives changed. Each success story is a testament to the difference that communities can make when we come together to create positive and permanent transformation.” said Ron Eppes, United Way of Central Kentucky President & CEO. “But we can’t do it alone. To live better, we must Live United.”
In 2018, United Way’s funded community partners impacted over 59,000 individuals and families in the region. Program results are reported quarterly by United Way partners and can be found online at www.unitedwayck.org.
Provided by: United Way of Central Kentucky