Here are the 79 programs that got a share of $1.38 million from United Way of the Big Bend

The United Way of the Big Bend board on Thursday approved $1.38 million to fund community programs in Leon County and seven neighboring counties, to help those with the greatest needs, stabilize those in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, and reduce the root causes of poverty.

The awards will fund 79 priority programs in Leon County and the seven neighboring counties of Gadsden, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison, Taylor, Liberty, and Franklin.

“In the past year of uncertainty due to the economy, we saw compassion and support soar to new heights and people continued to recognize the United Way as a trusted partner in helping those in need,” said UWBB Board Chairman Rhett Bagwell. “The real heroes in our announcement today are the people of this region who give to the United Way to help their neighbors who desperately need assistance,” he added. “Our collective impact on families, children, and seniors in this region totals more than $3.7 million.”

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Bagwell said that all programs receiving funding clearly address the United Way of the Big Bend’s priorities of housing, early learning, safety net, health and mental health, and skills development. In addition, they focus on those living in poverty and the ALICE population to help stabilize families on the edge of poverty.

“This level of community support provides hope for those struggling to make ends meet and is aligned with truly helping to end the cycle of poverty,” added Bagwell. “Our focus on supporting programs that produce measurable outcomes is also a way for current and future donors to see the vast needs and how their contributions change lives in our region,” Bagwell added. The UWBB received funding requests from regional nonprofits totaling more than $4.3 million, demonstrating the need for additional financial support for area programs.

Programs being funded assist the homeless, low-income seniors, children and families, those who are food-insecure or at risk, and those looking to improve skills to enhance self-sufficiency. It also includes funding for programs addressing health and mental health.

UWBB President and CEO Berneice Cox said the level of volunteer support in making the funding allocations is key. “Over the last eight months, volunteers donated 920 hours of time to this process of financial review, performance evaluation, allocations and impacts, and strategic transformation,” said Cox.

“Our community impact committee members alone donated 397 hours attending training, reviewing letters of intent financial review results from 49 agencies, reviewing 41 program applications, and participating in the deliberation process. The level of support from all of our volunteers is inspiring.”

Each program submitted was reviewed for financial solvency, program metrics, alignment with UWBB priorities and the organization’s capacity to provide the services, followed by a review by the Neighboring Counties Allocation Teams and Community Impact Committee. The final recommendations were presented to the UWBB Board of Directors on June 29, 2023.

Neighbors in the Big Bend interested in supporting the United Way can visit the website at uwbb.org.

Here are the United Way of the Big Bend 2023-2025 Leon County program funding summaries:

Housing

• Big Bend Habitat for Humanity – A housing program which funds land acquisition and existing infrastructure improvements to build or renovate affordable houses for low -and moderate-income families. Families are active participants, investing sweat equity and time in home ownership workshops. $85,000.

• Brehon House – Brehon Institute for Family Services, Inc., a program providing housing, shelter, educational, and support programs for adult homeless, pregnant women and their infants, supporting the birth and care of healthy babies. $60,000.

• HOPE Community Family Emergency Shelter – A Big Bend Homeless Coalition program, HOPE House (now called Family Promise) is a transitional shelter assisting families in exiting homelessness and obtaining permanent housing. $55,000.

• Maryland Oaks Crossing At-Risk Family Housing – A Good News Outreach program providing 47 families safe transitional housing for two years, during which families have access to supports including services for their children. It offers food programs, counseling and trauma-informed care provided by FSU School of Medicine. $35,000.

• Permanent Supportive Housing for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - An Independence Landing facility providing supportive housing to individuals who have documented intellectual or developmental disabilities, and who meet certain financial eligibility criteria. $30,000.

Early learning

• Early Head Start – A program of Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend providing quality educational, health, nutritional and family engagement services to at-risk families with children ages 0-3. The program operates three early learning centers and home-based services in Leon County. A minimum of 10% of children enrolled have special needs. $75,000.

• Annie’s Nursery School – A program of Project Annie, Annie’s Nursery school, in Frenchtown, offers year-round full day care, including limited time free childcare for unemployed parents looking for work, who, once employed, can then qualify for subsidized care. No other center addresses this need. The school uses a research-based curriculum, has experienced and certified staff, and includes outdoor activities. $50,000.

• Childcare Tuition Assistance – An Early Learning Coalition program providing tuition assistance for families of young children enrolled in high quality early learning environments. The program specifically targets ALICE families whose income, although below the median income level, disqualifies them from other subsidy programs. $25,000.

• Great Futures Start Here – A Boys and Girls Club program providing positive afterschool and summer sessions focused on character and leadership development, education and career development, Health and life skills, arts and sports, and fitness and recreation. $45,000.

Safety net

• Emergency & Diversion Program Services – A program of Connecting Everyone with Second Chances (CESC Inc.), Kearney Center, which provides shelter for 400 people as well as working to implement diversion services to prevent our neighbors from entering homelessness. $60,000.

• In-Home and Community Based Services – A program of Elder Care Services providing care for seniors who need help to remain safely at home; specifically for seniors who are frail, functionally impaired, and homebound or suffering from chronic diseases or dementia. Services are based on individualized care plans and may include companionship services, homemaking, personal care services, respite care services and transportation. $40,000.

• Nutrition Services – A program of Elder Care Services which provides meals to seniors suffering from food insecurity. Meals on Wheels provides nutrition to frail and home-bound seniors in Leon County by delivering five meals each week directly to the senior at home. $55,000.

• Residential Services Program – A Refuge House program offering life-saving support targeted and tailored for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault including safety services for adults and children after attacks. Support services include emergency shelter, basic needs including food, clothing, personal care supplies, and emotional support. $90,000.

• Helpline 2-1-1 – A 2-1-1 Big Bend program that crosses all five strategic priority impact areas of the UWBB to connect low income and ALICE individuals with service providers. It helps fill service gaps for clients ineligible for help from other agencies. $55,000.

• Food Bank Operations – An America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend program to meet the short-term nutritional needs of the hungry and food-insecure residents in Leon County. Food assistance can also free up funds for families to pay for other expenses such as medicines, school expenses, rent, and utilities. $50,000.

• Access to Independence – A program of The Center for Independent Living dBA Ability 1st, the Access to Independence program helps people under the ALICE threshold with mobility/self-care needs obtain the necessary services, medical equipment, and supplies that allow them to remain safely in their homes. $15,000.

Health and mental health

• We Care Network – A program of Capital Medical Society Foundation, Inc. to decrease healthcare disparity and improve health outcomes by facilitating access to specialty healthcare for Leon County’s vulnerable, low-income, uninsured adult patients by coordinating donated specialty medical and dental care. Primary care partners, including BOND, NMC, Apalachee Center, TMH Transition Center, VA Clinic and Care Point, refer patients to the program. $40,000.

• Reach Therapy – A program of Pace Center for Girls, Inc., which is a prevention and intervention program tailored to meet the unique therapeutic needs of girls not enrolled at the Pace Center. The center provides social-emotional, behavioral, therapeutic, and mental health counseling to at-risk girls and their families. $40,000.

• Children’s Advocacy Center – A program of Children’s Home Society, the Advocacy Center provides critical intervention and support to children who have experienced the trauma of abuse of any type. Its primary goals are to provide mental health and victim advocate services. $50,000.

• Women’s Empowerment Program – A program of The Oasis Center for Women & Girls focusing primarily on single mothers whose sons are involved in the programs offered through the Council on the Status of Men and Boys. The center program provides therapeutic counseling and workshops for building positive parenting and reaching personal goals. $30,000.

• Family Place – A Capital City Youth Services, Inc., non-residential counseling program providing free solution-focused mental health services to youth ages 6-17 and their families for up to 12 weeks, depending on the severity of presenting issues. $30,000.

Skills development

• Career Readiness and Vocational Training – A program of AMI Kids Tallahassee that operates a nonprofit after school program in Tallahassee providing comprehensive programming to help local students ages 11-17 determine and develop career pathways through vocational education and training, job placement, and support services. $12,500.

• REfire Culinary – A program providing on-the-job culinary training and community re-entry support for people experiencing poverty who also face barriers to housing, employment, and self-sufficiency because of a prior felony conviction. Participants of the 8-week program receive basic kitchen and cooking skills, training, on-the-job training wages, job experience, job placement assistance, and a year of follow-up support. $50,000.

• Employment Readiness Training and Support – A Lighthouse of the Big Bend, Inc. program helping teens, adults, and seniors who are blind or visually impaired overcome barriers to employment with job readiness assessment, skill development, supported job search, paid work experience and on-the-job training and support. $30,000.

• Omega LampLighters Program – The Omega LampLighters, Inc., program works to help boys and young men gain skills in leadership, college and career readiness, civic responsibilities and community service, and positive interactions and focuses on engaging youth in activities and supportive services aimed at reducing crime and violence in the community. $25,000.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: United Way announces funding for 79 programs in the Big Bend area