Archive: Around Town

On June 27th, the UWTC Fund Distribution & Evaluation Committee, chaired by Sarah Manasse from HSBC Bank, presented their Community Care Fund investment recommendations to the UWTC Board of Directors for their review and approval.

This year, UWTC completed the transition of the Community Care Fund awards to direct community investment through seven Issue Areas (Basic Needs, Child Care/Early Learning, Crisis Services, Financial Stability/Building Self-Sufficiency, Health/Environment, Seniors, and Youth).  With guidance and input from non-profit agencies and United Way volunteers over the past few years, this realignment now provides a more comprehensive understanding of programming across issue areas with an increased ability for greater community impact. The funding supports programs that have proven results, measurable outcomes, and a demonstrated impact on both the clients being served and addressing the unmet needs in the community.

James Brown, president of UWTC, stated, “This process has again proven that we have many outstanding agencies providing local residents with exceptional services and care. Regrettably, there are demands that exceed existing resources.”

As this is the first year of a new cycle, Community Care Fund awards are for one year and run from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012.  Additional UWTC grant programs for fiscal year 2011-2012 include: Student Engagement Programs, the T. Merrell Shipherd Flexible Fund, and Fall and Spring Hunger & Food Security Programs. UWTC also reported that the distribution of donor designated contributions is underway.  A total of $185,751 was directed by donors for UWTC members, and $202,770 was directed to non-member organizations locally and across the country, including other United Ways.

Below are the awards for each respective Community Care Fund Issue Area:

• Basic Needs - $31,885 for food pantries, weekend food backpack program, hot food programs, direct assistance food programs during weekends and holidays, and vouchers for personal care products and specialized diets
• Child Care/Early Learning  - $149,865 for summer camps and recreation programs, resource referral programs, subsidies for toddler daycare, infant care, family reading nights, before and after-school programs, support for pregnant women and families, child care scholarships for school-aged children, and library program
• Crisis Services - $174,410 for prevention education regarding domestic violence, bullying, and sexual harassment, homeless services, emergency services for families and individuals in financial crisis, mediation services, 2-1-1 information and referral, legal services, 24-hour crisis line
• Financial Stability/Building Self-Sufficiency - $173,485  for home repair programs for seniors and people with low-incomes, immigrant services program, training and employment services for individuals with disabilities, job-training skills, community newsletters, education outreach programs, planning for service delivery systems along with technical assistance, social gatherings, client services for people that are incarcerated, youth outreach for 16-25 year olds who are homeless or transient, adult literacy programs, programs for women who have been displaced or in poverty, financial assistance/subsidy program for fitness programs
• Health/Environment - $243,500 for outpatient clinic, education and prevention program, support for those affected by cancer, children’s mental health, respite and caregiver services, evaluations for early interventions with children, transportation services for elderly people and residents with disabilities, recreation programs for people of all ages, education, health, and wellness programs
• Seniors - $15,090 for monthly get-togethers, large-print books, opportunities for seniors to participate in socially, culturally, and educationally enriching programs, art instruction,  supportive services, quarterly newspaper with upcoming events and health-related news, reading nights
• Youth - $144,365 for teen pregnancy/parenting programs, scholarships to attend summer camps/enrichment programs, teen recreation programs, reading programs, youth at-risk services, computer labs, cultural programs, bicycle repair, counseling services, back-to-school backpacks

Tompkins Community Action’s executive director, Lee Dillon, added, “Tompkins Community Action has been an affiliate member with United Way of Tompkins County for many years and we were thrilled to become a full partner member agency in 2011.  Our first award from the Community Care Fund will help fund our JobsBuild Program to work with young people ages 18-25 with skill building activities, certifications and paid work experience in the Green Energy sector and Early Childhood education. United Way of Tompkins County is helping TCAction to fulfill our belief that “An Active Community Can Produce Powerful Change.”

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