United Way announces 2016 allocations

VW independent/submitted information

The United Way of Van Wert County board of trustees approved allocations during the monthly board meeting on June 16. Funding was awarded to 28 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 $306,095.77.

A full listing of grants provided out of funds raised by the 2015-2016 United Way campaign is as follows:

American Red Cross-Van Wert County was awarded funds for two programs. The first program is for 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 and assists fire fighters and police from the elements during emergency responses. The second program will provide smoke detectors to county residents.

Angel Foundation was awarded funds for providing a lifelong wish for terminally-ill adults 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 local youth. This program matches youth facing adversity (single parent home, living with grandparents, academic struggles, juvenile justice involvement, incarcerated parent, etc.) 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 continues to remain the same, to have a positive and robust influence on the character, citizenship, and physical fitness of youths who participate.

Buckeye Y Youth was awarded funds for its at-risk youth program for 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 their 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 their program to assist those under 60 with transportation to appointments that allow them to meet their daily life sustaining needs (medical appointments, pharmacies, social security appointments, grocery stores, banking etc.) 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 allow victims to survive their immediate trauma and 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 was awarded funds for basic and primary health care for the underserved population of the 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. Their objective is to provide as many of these items and/or services as possible with United Way funds.

Help Me Grow was awarded funds for monthly parent group meetings with educational themes. Help Me Grow 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. Its aim is to provide a warm, secure atmosphere that will allow children to grow.

Middle Point Ballpark was awarded funds to help provide a recreation program for Middle Point and the surrounding area. Last year, Middle Point Youth provided services for 231 children.

Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission was awarded funds for two programs. The first program is the Financial Empowerment Program. This program is to educate, empower, and motivate persons who are seeking opportunities to end a cycle of generational poverty. The second program is the Emergency Services Program. Emergency assistance funding is utilized 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 126 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 travelers’ aid and is carried out throughout the entire Van Wert area.

VWCO 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 working families that need short term help with providing child care while they work. Wee Care is then able to provide an opportunity for 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 its agencies at 11.5 cents per pound of food.

Willshire Youth Activities was awarded funds for the activities it provides for summer ball programs. This program is able to reach 86 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 91 area children to participate on summer ball teams.

YMCA-Sponsorship Program was awarded funds to provide low or no cost memberships for disabled vets 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 was awarded funds for four programs. The Youth Enrichment Program includes the summer food and after school programs. The goal of these two programs is to nourish the 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 the Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Program. This program picks up after the Crisis Care program ends and allows victims to stay up to one year with their families.

Next is the Transitional Living Program. This program provides participants with a positive support system and helps them acquire the skills and tools they need to live independently.

The last program funded is Permanent Supportive Housing. This program provides services and housing for women designed to help them achieve a sense of well-being and personal independence.

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.