VERO BEACH — During the three years that Indian River County, the state and the nation have been reeling from an unrelenting economic recession, United Way of Indian River County and hundreds of community volunteers have raised, distributed, and brought $6,725,689 back into the hands of those most in need in our community.
“It is remarkable to think about the true economic power of people’s hearts and minds. Despite the third year of continued recession, this clearly proves that we have the ability to help change people’s lives for the better. Being able to raise and distribute over $6.7 million during down times is a remarkable feat, entirely due to the dedication of our volunteers,” stated CEO Michael Kint.
The announcement came as United Way of Indian River County released the results of its 2010/2011 Community Investment Process: $1,778,741 will be invested in 41 programs and three community initiatives over the next year.
And it followed news last week that the organization’s Family Financial Stability Initiative, three years old, has brought $1.42 million back into the community through prescription drug discounts and tax refunds. All work directly attributed to the organizations 420 annual volunteers.
“These are entirely volunteer driven activities. These are good hearted people, retired CEO’s, business and civic leaders, taking their own valuable time to give back to the community. It is truly awe-inspiring,” added Kint.
The Community Investment Process, held in April and May, gathers 120 community volunteers who assess programs on a variety of criteria.
“There is no doubt that hard decisions had to be made,” said Jim Ackerman, CVS Distribution Center CEO and United Way Community Investment Chair, “but at the end of the day, we all know that we are doing good work, providing essential funds to those most in need.” Many programs received level funding based on last year’s allocations, with only a few increases going to programs that provide care for the most vulnerable: food for home-bound seniors, crisis care for abused children, and those facing mental health crisis.
Agency/Program Allocations
2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast: $53,000
Amer. Red Cross – Emergency Services: $35,000
Abilities Resource Center – Supportive Employment Program: $48,000
Abilities Resource Center – Behavior Analysis: $40,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Site Based Reading Mentoring: $10,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Children of Promise: $7,000
Boy Scouts: $20,000
Boys & Girls Club – CLUBS: $126,000
CASTLE – High Hopes: $21,000
CASTLE – Safe Families: $90,000
CASTLE – Valued Visits: $31,300
Catholic Charities – Samaritan Center: $66,000
Childcare Resources of Indian River- Children in Centers: $193,000
Childcare Resources of Indian River – Psychological Services: $4,000
Children’s Home Society – Cins/Fins: $37,000
Children’s Home Society- Transitional Living Program: $20,000
Children’s Home Society- Heart Gallery Adoption/Recruitment: $1,000
Connected 4 Kids – Resource Booklet: $6,000
Dasie Hope Center: $60,500
DATA – Hayslip Ctr. Residential Treatment: $38,000
DATA – Outpatient Services: $13,000
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of the TC: $18,000
Early Learning Coalition: $50,000
Economic Opportunities Council – REACH Program: $12,500
Girl Scouts: $5,000
Gifford Youth Activity Center – After School Ed. Program: $40,000
Healthy Start Coalition- TLC Newborn Program: $35,000
Healthy Start – Partners in Pregnancy & Parenting: $10,000
Hibiscus Children’s Ctr. – Children’s Village (former program – Families in Crisis): $15,000
Homeless Family Center: $47,000
IRC Health Dept. – Dental Progam 0 to 6: $42,500
Literacy Services of Indian River Co.: $20,000
Mental Health Assoc. – Walk-In Center: $80,000
Redland Christian Migrant Association – Child Care: $30,000
SafeSpace – Domestic Violence Services: $70,000
Senior Resource Assoc. – Adult Day Care: $50,000
Senior Resource Assoc. – Meals on Wheels: $55,000
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: $5,000
Youth Guidance: $50,000
Designations & Special Projects:
Non-partner agencies and other designations: $31,911
Specific agency designations: $37,500
Publix Employee Crisis Fund: $10,530
Emergency/Crisis Special Project Fund: $40,000
Mental Health Collaborative: $10,000
Total Funding: $1,778,741
