Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Since the Monroe County United Way board decided to cut off funds to any groups refusing to sign a nondiscrimination policy there has been some concern over whether Kosciusko County United Way will do the same thing.
This nondiscrimination policy greatly affects the Boy Scouts since the U.S Supreme Court ruled that they are allowed to ban homosexuals. The Boy Scouts in Monroe County refused to sign the nondiscrimination policy and so were cut off of funds.
United Way Administrative Assistant Karen Beck said the United Way office has been receivingmany calls on whether Kosciusko County United Way is still supporting the Boy Scouts. She said they are.
Beck explained that Kosciusko County United Way have a closed designated policy. This means they support a certain number of agencies. Agencies wishing to be supported by United Way must go through an allocation process and be reviewed by a board. Once they are accepted, they must send quarterly reports.
Beck said some United Ways are pulling their support from the Boy Scouts because these United Ways have an open designated policy.
"We support the Supreme Court ruling," said Beck.
United Way Communications Director Alejo Torres said "We are going to continue to fund them (Boy Scouts) no matter what."
Torres said Kosciusko County United Way believes that the Boy Scouts teach young men good values and morals. It would disservice a lot of young men to quit funding the Boy Scouts.
"We are going to stand strong with that position," said Torres.
