United Way Allocates $2M to Programs, Initiatives
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The executive committee of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has approved funding of $1,958,875 to programs related to education and health and to United Way-led initiatives for its 2013-2014 year.
While the committee met May 8, its decisions were announced Monday.
Through partnerships with area agencies, school districts and organizations, $654,063 was directed to education; $218,278 to people with low incomes and $373,439 to projects related to better health; $488,566 to community support services that provide programming to those in need; and $83,943 for a variety of programs and initiatives through community engagement, said United Way President Bob Hannon.
Included is funding to Help Hotline for the United Way 2-1-1, one-call for help line and for the Cold Weather Shelter Program; Hands On Volunteer Network’s volunteer center; to the union counselors for their work in helping those in need; and to Youngstown Hearing & Speech to distribute devices. A small amount of funding was set aside for emerging programs and partnerships to address community needs consistent with the mission of United Way.
Through the organization's donor choice option, United Way received $140,586 that will be distributed this year.
Among United Way-led initiatives its Success By 6 program, Hannon noted. It seeks to ensure that children under the age of 6 are prepared to enter kindergarten. Eighteen participating school districts will receive funding for 41 classes this summer.
United Way places an emphasis on health and nutrition for children 5 and younger. This year, Success By 6 will again partner with "An Apple a Day" to encourage healthful diets. Access to dental care is the No. 1 unmet health need in Mahoning County, Hannon says. To address that need, United Way joining Humility of Mary Health Partners’ Smile Station dental van to provide dental services to children in western Mahoning County and in the city of Campbell.
Partnering with four neighborhood centers, the focus of Success By 6 is on academic achievement for pupils in kindergarten through the sixth grade. During 2012, this initiative provided academic support to more than 150 students who each spent an average of 331 minutes in math and reading programs. “We were fortunate to receive funding from PNC and the Andrews Foundation designated to our Success By 6 initiative,” Hannon said. “A grant from the IRS was designated for expansion of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Mahoning County, which is part of the Financial Stability Partnership.”
The Financial Stability Partnership will continue to be funded to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites.
“The United Way Impact model continues to do important work in our Valley through an ability to deliver on its mission of improving the lives Mahoning County residents,” said Brian Kolenich, community impact chairman and executive director of Park Vista Retirement Community, in a prepared statement. “With its focus to advance initiatives in education, income, health and community support services, the United Way’s strength lies in its ability to form collaborations, not only to raise the necessary funds, but in the volunteers who review programs to ensure alignment with its mission and stewardship of its donors’ resources.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our free daily email headlines and to our twice-monthly print edition.