With another record year of campaign fundraising in 2010, the United Way of Kosciusko County recently invested $1,679,459 in programs which will help people improve their lives in our community.
This includes $1,469,384 for 52 local programs in Kosciusko County. Additionally, $210,075 was sent to other United Ways for program support.
The United Way Vision Councils, in the focus areas of education, income and health, evaluated community needs along with the effectiveness of the programs that requested funding.
The Vision Councils reviewed the requests in regard to program information, budgets, community issues being addressed and outcomes specific to their programs, holding each to the highest standard of accountability. This system of review assures donors their gifts are being used effectively and efficiently in Kosciusko County. After the Vision Council process, the Community Impact Committee reviewed all of the proposals and made their final recommendation to the board of directors. The board approved the proposals May 27.
The Education Vision Council included representation from the Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw Community and Wawasee school corporations, Grace College, Indiana Tech and other business professionals. This committee invested $394,112 in 13 education programs.
These are: Baker Youth Club After School Program, Heartline Teens N Tots, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddies, Kosciusko Literacy Read to Grow, Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Based Mentoring, Lakeland Kindergarten Readiness, Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, New Beginnings Kindergarten Readiness, Cardinal Head Start, North Webster Kindergarten Readiness, Cardinal Ready to Go, Tippecanoe Valley Homework Help and Court Appointed Special Advocate.
The Income Vision Council was composed of representation from the local banking industry, Grace College, orthopedic business professionals and other industries throughout the county. This committee invested $712,500 in 23 economic self-sufficiency and family stabilization programs.
These are: American Red Cross Disaster Services, Housing Opportunity Upson House, AMC Armed Forces Services, Housing Opportunity Weatherization Kits, Beaman Home, Housing Opportunity Emergency Repairs, Bowen Center Moving Forward, HOW Mobile Home Repair, Boy Scouts and Venturing, HOW Owner Occupied Renovations, Cardinal Services Healthy Families, Kosciusko Educational Development, Combined Community Services Hand Up, Kosciusko Literacy 1-on-1 Tutors, CCS Utility Assistance, Kosciusko Literacy Jail GED, CCS Project Independence, Mentone Food Pantry, Domestic Violence Outreach, Salvation Army Rental Assistance, The Rose Home, Teen Parents Succeeding.
The Health Vision Council was comprised of representation from the Kosciusko Sheriff’s Department, the Bowen Center, Kosciusko Community Hospital, the K21 Health Foundation and other business professionals. The committee invested $356,600 in 16 health programs.
These are: American Red Cross Blood Services, Home Delivered Meals, AMC Health and Safety Program, Kosciusko Senior Services Activity Center, Baker Youth Club Summer Program, Kosciusko Homecare/Hospice REAL Services, Bed and Britches Etc., Lakeland Youth Sports Program, Emergency/Weekend Meals, Northern Indiana Hispanic Coalition, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Senior/Handicap Transportation Services, Girl Scout Leadership Experience, Senior Homemaker Services, Heartline Maternal & Child Wellness, The Well Child Program.
Other programs funded, in the total amount of $121,600 by United Way are: 2-1-1 Referral and Information Services, the Day of Caring, Volunteer Kosciusko, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and various community initiatives for future consideration in 2011.
The Vision Councils consider many factors when making difficult funding decisions. These factors include, but are not limited to, new program funding requests, current challenges within the community and new issues facing the programs within each focus area. The ultimate goal is always to create positive community impact for Kosciusko County.
The United Way is pleased to inform the public of these program investments. The continued community support reflects the strong commitment in our county to “Live United.”
