KLA Cadets Hear About Social Services
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Representatives of Cardinal Center and United Way spoke to the Kosciusko Leadership Academy Tuesday regarding their roles as social service agencies for the surrounding communities.
Patricia Coy, of the United Way, and Candy Townsend, of Cardinal Center, spent two hours discussing organizational responsibilities and fielding questions from KLA students.
"Working at this type of organization, you quickly learn you can't be everything to everyone," Coy said. "You have to focus on donating to companies you believe have higher priorities, and that's a difficult thing to do."
Coy said the United Way's main interests deal with collecting funds from local and state organizations and disbursing the funds to chosen recipients.
In 2005, the organization collected $1.642 million from the community, and reported a $90,000-$95,000 increase in collection over the last few years.
Once funds are gathered, the United Way evaluates companies that apply for grant monies. Vision councils focusing on specific factors of the community conduct on-site reviews of these companies and determine the dollar amount to be disbursed. Four councils are used by United Way - youth development, emergency services, self-sufficiency and home and community wellness.
"With these councils, we understand how well a program is running and how it's serving the community," Coy said. "There are so many needs in programs that are high priority, and, through the councils, we determine how much funding they deserve."
Since the formation of the vision councils, the United Way has seen an increase in self-sufficiency needs and a slight decline in youth development.
But the main issue facing Kosciusko County, according to surveys collected from residents, is substance abuse.
Through a $143,114 grant from the Lily Endowment, the United Way partnered with various local organizations to implement programs addressing local drug problems.
The installation of locks on ammonia tanks, construction of a halfway house, financial assistance for rehabilitation and further drug education will be implemented in Kosciusko County within the next two years.
Townsend provided information on the roles Cardinal Center plays with both youth and adult services.
The organization is the largest employer in Kosciusko with 525 workers involved in a variety of service programs.
Townsend said Cardinal Center operates educational programs ranging from Head Start, Women Infants and Children and Healthy Families, as well the First Step medical program, which assists children with developmental delays under 3 years old.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service, Sus Amigos, North Pointe Apartment Complex, and the educational guidance of handicapped adults are also under Cardinal Center's supervision.
Medicaid is the major source for all of Cardinal Center's projects, Townsend said, but funding is becoming limited through state limitations and the origin of new human service agencies.
"We can only be here if we can weigh the cost/benefit of our operations," Townsend said. "We make sure to collaborate with other like companies, because we can't do this all on our own."
In 2005, Cardinal Center referred 2,000 individuals to other agencies.
"We want everyone in the community to be valued and to make a difference in the community," she said. "And if we're not the ones to help, then we'll find someone who can." [[In-content Ad]]
Representatives of Cardinal Center and United Way spoke to the Kosciusko Leadership Academy Tuesday regarding their roles as social service agencies for the surrounding communities.
Patricia Coy, of the United Way, and Candy Townsend, of Cardinal Center, spent two hours discussing organizational responsibilities and fielding questions from KLA students.
"Working at this type of organization, you quickly learn you can't be everything to everyone," Coy said. "You have to focus on donating to companies you believe have higher priorities, and that's a difficult thing to do."
Coy said the United Way's main interests deal with collecting funds from local and state organizations and disbursing the funds to chosen recipients.
In 2005, the organization collected $1.642 million from the community, and reported a $90,000-$95,000 increase in collection over the last few years.
Once funds are gathered, the United Way evaluates companies that apply for grant monies. Vision councils focusing on specific factors of the community conduct on-site reviews of these companies and determine the dollar amount to be disbursed. Four councils are used by United Way - youth development, emergency services, self-sufficiency and home and community wellness.
"With these councils, we understand how well a program is running and how it's serving the community," Coy said. "There are so many needs in programs that are high priority, and, through the councils, we determine how much funding they deserve."
Since the formation of the vision councils, the United Way has seen an increase in self-sufficiency needs and a slight decline in youth development.
But the main issue facing Kosciusko County, according to surveys collected from residents, is substance abuse.
Through a $143,114 grant from the Lily Endowment, the United Way partnered with various local organizations to implement programs addressing local drug problems.
The installation of locks on ammonia tanks, construction of a halfway house, financial assistance for rehabilitation and further drug education will be implemented in Kosciusko County within the next two years.
Townsend provided information on the roles Cardinal Center plays with both youth and adult services.
The organization is the largest employer in Kosciusko with 525 workers involved in a variety of service programs.
Townsend said Cardinal Center operates educational programs ranging from Head Start, Women Infants and Children and Healthy Families, as well the First Step medical program, which assists children with developmental delays under 3 years old.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service, Sus Amigos, North Pointe Apartment Complex, and the educational guidance of handicapped adults are also under Cardinal Center's supervision.
Medicaid is the major source for all of Cardinal Center's projects, Townsend said, but funding is becoming limited through state limitations and the origin of new human service agencies.
"We can only be here if we can weigh the cost/benefit of our operations," Townsend said. "We make sure to collaborate with other like companies, because we can't do this all on our own."
In 2005, Cardinal Center referred 2,000 individuals to other agencies.
"We want everyone in the community to be valued and to make a difference in the community," she said. "And if we're not the ones to help, then we'll find someone who can." [[In-content Ad]]