United Way approves agency allocations

Van Wert independent/submitted information

The United Way of Van Wert County board of trustees approved allocations during the monthly board meeting on Thursday, June 18th. Funding was awarded to 26 programs offered by social service agencies throughout the county. Nine community volunteers reviewed grant applications and recommended the distribution of United Way grant funds. The process includes an extensive review of program results while also looking at the most pressing needs of the community. This year’s total amount given was $307,854.40.

A full listing of grants provided out of funds raised by the 2014 United Way campaign is as follows:

Van Wert County American Red Cross-Disaster Services was awarded funds for its immediate needs of Van Wert County disaster victims. ARC provides food, clothing, shelter, medications and eyeglasses for fire victims who have lost their homes in a fire. ARC also assists more than 222 firefighters and police officers during emergency responses.

Angel Foundation was awarded funds for providing a lifelong wish for a terminal adult who would otherwise not be able to have the wish fulfilled. The wishes many times involve an entire family and participating in the wish provides some respite from the illness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters was awarded funds for a community based mentoring program that serves 30-40 youths annually. This program matches youths facing adversity (single parent home, living with grandparents, academic struggles, juvenile justice involvement, incarcerated parent) with carefully screened community volunteer mentors with initial intention of a one-year commitment.

Boy Scouts of America, Black Swamp Council was awarded funds for Boy Scouting programs to incorporate activities and learning experiences that strengthen young people’s attitudes and actions toward God, family, country and community. The aim remains the same: to have a positive and robust influence on the character, citizenship, and physical fitness of youth who participate.

Buckeye Y Youth was awarded funds for its at-risk youth program for youngsters ages 5-18. Buckeye Y programs instill good judgment and values, a positive self-image, good behavior, encourage self-improvement, promote responsibility and leadership qualities in all youths that participate.

Convoy Food Pantry was awarded funds for its food pantry program. The food pantry provides food vouchers for those participants that have fallen on hard times and are in need of food to feed their family. All participants must qualify to receive the food vouchers.

Convoy Sports Center was awarded funds for its summer youth programs. These funds are used for all age kids participating on a summer ball team at the Convoy Sports Center. The funds are used to cover entry fees that some families can’t afford.

Council on Aging-Transportation was awarded funds for its program to assist those 60 and over with transportation to appointments that allow them to meet their daily life sustaining needs (medical appointments, pharmacies, social security appointments, grocery stores, banking) The program is offered to individuals with a disability, medical issues or extreme hardship in their lives.

Crisis Care Line/House of Transitions was awarded funds to assist victims of domestic violence, family violence and sexual assault and their children. The organization’s primary work is to provide safe, emergency housing, crisis intervention, transportation and support services to survive their immediate trauma and to secure a safer future.

Delphos Senior Citizens-Transportation was awarded funds for transportation for people 60 years and older to improve their lives and help them live independently. DSC is often the only way for seniors to get to medical or dental appointments, bank, drug store, grocery and other social service agencies.

Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio was awarded funds for basic and primary health care for the underserved population of our community. FHC is the only health care provider in the community that accepts an unlimited number of Medicaid clients. FHC also sees patients without any form of medical insurance on a sliding fee scale.

Family & Children First was awarded funds to provide a payer of last resort for items and/or services for families in need that cannot be provided by other agencies in the county. The organization’s objective is to provide as many of these items and/or services as possible with United Way funds.

Help Me Grow was awarded funds that are to be used for monthly parent group meetings with educational themes. Help Me Grow’s home visiting program uses the Healthy Families/Growing Great Kids curriculum with families in their homes. This program provides families with activities to encourage parents to learn how to play and interact with their kids. Help Me Grow also assists with items needed for the care and safety of infants and toddlers.

Lincolnview Latchkey was awarded funds to meet the needs of school age children, kindergarten, through the age of 14 who need care and supervision before and/or after school. They aim to provide a warm, secure atmosphere that will allow the children to grow.

Middle Point Youth was awarded funds to help provide a recreation program for Middle Point and the surrounding area. Last year, Middle Point Youth provided services for 233 children.

Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission was awarded funds for two programs. The first program is “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World”. This program is to educate, empower and motivate persons who are seeking opportunities to end a cycle of generational poverty. The second program is Emergency Assistance/Homeless Prevention. Emergency assistance funding is used to alleviate an immediate crisis, with the long-term goal of teaching consumers how to avoid recidivism.

Ohio City Youth was awarded funds to be used in its summer youth programs. Ohio City Youth Activities was able to provide programs for 102 children last year.

Salvation Army-Emergency Service was awarded funds for its program that encompasses assistance to a targeted population for food, clothing, medicine, utility assistance, rental assistance and traveler’s aid and is carried out throughout the entire Van Wert area.

Van Wert County Victims Services was awarded funds to continue to provide quality services to victims of crime and their families who are either directly or indirectly affected by crimes that have occurred in Van Wert County. Victims Services works with other agencies to secure additional grants to operate.

Wee Care Learning Center was awarded funds for its full year child care center. Wee Care provided child care for families in real crisis but also helps real working families that need short term help with providing child care while they work. Wee Care is then able to provide opportunity for the children to grow, learn, play and enjoy childhood.

West Ohio Food Bank was awarded funds to provide partner agencies with food for those in need with a good mix of nutritious food items, allowing agencies to help more individuals and family in need. West Ohio Food Bank is able to sell food to our agencies at 11.5 cents per pound of food.

Willshire Youth Activities was awarded funds for the activities it provides for the summer ball programs. This program is able to reach 99 children during the summer months.

Wren Ballpark was awarded funds for the Wren Ballpark Association. This association is operated by a volunteer committee and provides the opportunity for 100 area children to participate on summer ball teams.

YMCA-Sponsorship Program was awarded funds to provide low- or no-cost memberships for disabled veterans and their families, low income senior citizens, families of deployed soldiers and low-income families. The YMCA provides a safe place for individuals to socialize and improve their health and fitness. The YMCA also continues to reach out and provide educational opportunities that focus on healthy living.

YWCA of Van Wert County was awarded funds for three programs. The first program is its Youth Enrichment Program, which now include the summer food program and after-school programs together. The goal of the Youth Enrichment program is to nourish bodies and minds of children by providing them with nutrient-rich meals that will support their physical growth and interactive activities that will improve their education. The second program is long-term domestic violence services and shelter. This program will pick up after the Crisis Care program ends and allow victims to stay for one year with their families. The third program is the YW’s transitional living program, which helps participants learn skills necessary to obtain gainful employment, budget finances, daily living skills and attain and maintain employment. At the completion of this program, participants move to permanent housing.
Individuals interested in helping the local United Way can contact Executive Director Vicki Smith at 419.238.6689 or unitedway109@embarqmail.com.

The mission of United Way of Van Wert County is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of people and organizations within the county to advance the common good.