VERO BEACH — United Way of Indian River County announced that $1,725,566 will be invested in 41 community programs as a result of the 2009/2010 Community Investment Process. Each year volunteers from the community meet in April and May to decide how to invest the resources raised during the United Way’s annual campaign. Three new programs were funded this year including a program that mentors children of prisoners, another that helps retrain unemployed workers, and a program that develops life skills for teens. Many programs received level funding based on last year’s allocations, with only a few increases going to those programs that provide basic service: food, shelter, utility and rental assistance.
“There is no doubt that many families are still struggling, reports continue to come in from people looking for help to meet the most basic of needs. Our volunteers felt it was necessary to respond to those needs,” stated CEO Michael Kint. United Way of Indian River County relies on the dedication and commitment of a diverse group of volunteers to make these important funding decisions. The 120 community volunteers who took part in this year’s Citizen’s Review process spent several weeks examining program budgets, and looked carefully at management and board involvement of the agencies requesting funds. They also paid close attention to community support, collaboration with other agencies, outreach and even more importantly how they are making a measurable difference in the lives of the people they serve, and how they are reporting the results.
“This is probably the hardest, and yet most rewarding work done by United Way volunteers,” said Randy Riley, United Way Community Investment Chair. “These volunteers take their responsibility to heart. It takes hours to carefully examine and personally visit each program. This is where the real accountability is, from these people taking the time to examine in detail how these programs are affecting people in our area.”
Investment recipients:
2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast: 58,000
Amer. Red Cross – Emergency Services: 35,000
ARC – Supportive Employment Program: 40,000
ARC – Behavior Analysis: 30,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Site Based Reading Mentoring: 10,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Children of Promise: 5,000
Boy Scouts: 17,500
Boys & Girls Clubs: 130,000
Catholic Charities – Samaritan Center: 66,000
Children’s Home Society – Cins/Fins: 32,000
CHS – Transitional Living Program: 25,000
CHS – Heart Gallery Adoption/Recruitment: 1,000
Dasie Hope Center: 60,500
DATA – Hayslip Ctr. Residential Treatment: 36,200
DATA – Outpatient Services: 12,300
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of the TC: 18,000
Economic Opportunities Council – REACH Program: 12,500
Exchange Club CASTLE – High Hopes: 21,000
Exchange Club CASTLE – Safe Families: 92,000
Exchange Club CASTLE – Valued Visits: 31,300
Girl Scouts: 7,000
GYAC – After School Ed. Program: 37,000
Hibiscus Children’s Ctr. – Families in Crisis: 7,500
Homeless Family Center: 47,000
Literacy Services of Indian River Co.: 20,000
Mental Health Assoc. – Walk-In Center: 80,000
SafeSpace – Domestic Violence Services: 70,000
Senior Resource Assoc. – Adult Day Care: 50,000
Senior Resource Assoc. – Meals on Wheels: 50,000
Substance Awareness Council – LifeSkills Training: 10,000
TC Food Bank – Emergency Food Distribution: 54,000
Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council – Homeless Resource Center: 30,000
USO: 5,500
Youth Guidance: 60,000
Total Traditional Funding: 1,261,300
Childcare Resources of Indian River: 195,000
Childcare Resources of Indian River Psychological Services: 4,000
Early Learning Coalition: 51,000
IRC Health Dept. – Dental Program 0 to 6: 42,500
Healthy Start Coalition- TLC Newborn Program: 40,000
Healthy Start – Partners in Pregnancy & Parenting: 10,000
RCMA – Child Care: 32,000
Total Success By 6 Funding: 374,500
