Salina Area United Way announced today that it has awarded $105,000 in Make A Difference Grants to 13 community agencies and programs.
"We are thrilled to be able to fund 13 agencies in our communities working to Make A Difference. These agencies are working tirelessly to address needs in our communities," said Claire Mullen, executive director for the Salina Area United Way.
Grant awards are based on an analysis of how well programs match United Way’s Community Goals, the ability to meet community needs, organization budget, financial accountability, and plans for service and management.
The Salina Area United Way mission is to "Strengthen Our Community." The community goals are as follows.
Health: Increase the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoiding risky behavior
Education: Raise the graduation rate
Financial stability: Increase the number of families who are financially stable
"Nonprofits in our 10-county service area are doing incredible work," said Margaret Dixon, grant committee chair. "We can make these awards thanks to the generous support of our community. Please know that every donation counts. All of us, working together, can make a difference."
Volunteers on the local United Way Grant Committee reviewed 17 applications. The total amount of requests was more than $139,000. All funding recommendations were reviewed and approved by the Salina Area United Way Board of Directors.
Agencies and programs that received funding include the following.
Ashby House, Financial Fitness Initiative
All Ashby House program directors, case managers, and support staff members will complete the Financial Peace University training and then develop and begin administering the new Financial Fitness Program to clients.
Belleville First United Methodist, Belleville First United Methodist Belleville Children's Program
The program will educate students about relationships, loving others, and looking for ways to serve others while also providing education and activities for students to learn lessons about life and activities to promote healthy choices.
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Based Mentoring
The goal of this project is to increase community based matches and support/retain these matches for the first year.
CAPS, Ottawa County/Saline County CASA
This project will document, monitor, and communicate information related to the foster child’s health more efficiently to the magistrate judge by recruiting, training, and supporting community volunteers to speak up for children who are thrust into the court system through no fault of their own.
Catholic Charities, Mobile Outreach - Reaching Out to Our Rural Neighbors in Need
This program will take social services to low-income individuals in rural communities of the Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas' 31-county service area to alleviate financial hardship and stabilize family situations.
Communities in Schools, Student Supports in Lakewood Middle and Salina Central High Schools
Through school-wide and individual student programming, site coordinators will address specific needs and reduce personal and systematic barriers to success.
Independent Connection, Youth Services
This program will provide career development and independent living skills training to students and youth with disabilities in Saline County by increasing youths' job skills knowledge prior to graduation as well as increasing their hire ability right out of, or even while still attending high school.
Salina Child Care Association
The organization will work with children to make sure they have the skills they need to be successful upon entering kindergarten.
Salina Housing Authority, Family Self-Sufficiency
This program will assist participating families in achieving goals to help them in advancing to self-reliance by reducing or eliminating the need for welfare assistance.
Saline County Department of Senior Services, Transportation for Homebound Seniors
This program will provide any Meals On Wheels homebound senior who has limited resources with a transportation pass.
Southeast of Saline USD 306, Southeast of Saline Aquaponics
Southeast of Saline students will learn about and develop a passion for growing fresh produce, giving them the opportunity to eat locally grown food through hands-on application to STEM-related subjects.
St John's Missionary Baptist Church, Kid Kare Child Development Center
This program will provide a high-quality early childhood program in a safe and nurturing environment to challenge and stimulate each child through a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and to enhance language literature, music and movement, creativity, and socialization.
Workforce Solution, OCCK Career Closet - Clothing and Hygiene Kits
This program will purchase professional business clothing for job-seeking customers who need to attend interviews and hygiene items to help with the full appearance to aid in that ever-important first impression.