United Way announces grant recipients for 2019-2020

After an eight-week review process, the United Way of Jasper County announced the recipients of nearly $230,000 in funding for health and human service programs in Jasper County.

UW board members and volunteers reviewed 22 grants and made recommendations for funding. In total, the allocations committee awarded $229,850 in grants to 14 health and human service agencies.

“We are so proud to be able to once again support so many worthwhile causes. While we recognize the need is greater than the funding supporting these agencies, at nearly a quarter of a million dollars will have a lasting and positive impact,” Charity Noe, UWJC board president, said.

Agencies who are receiving funds for 2019-20 are Baxter Early Learning Center, Camp Fire USA, Clearview Recovery Center, Crisis Intervention Services, Family Crisis Center, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, IMPACT Community Action Partnership, Kid Assist, Peck Child Development Center, Progress Industries, Jasper County RSVP, Salvation Army and Willowbrook Adult Day. Each agency must use the funds to serve Jasper County residents from April 1 to March 31, 2020.

“The scope of the programs we are funding represents a variety of needs that our friends and neighbors are facing,” Jessica Lowe Vokes, UWJC executive director, said. “The services our partner agencies receive funding for ensures each person in Jasper County has the opportunity to live a full, happy and healthy life.”

More than one-third of Jasper County citizens were served by programs funded through United Way of Jasper County grants in 2018. As the need has increased the role of the United Way as a grant funding agency has become imperative to many area nonprofits.

“United Way’s support has helped P.I. realize its milestone 40th year of service and we are incredibly grateful and proud to be a partner agency,” Sandy Ham, president and CEO of Progress Industries, said.

“Their support has a significant impact in the lives of people with disabilities by helping to ensure that services are in place to provide individuals the support they need to live, work and participate in their community as independently as possible.”

Denice Fischer, Jasper County RSVP director, said the partnership with United Way has had a tremendous impact on the individuals served by her agency.

“(United Way’s) financial support has helped us provide critically needed medical transportation services through our Jasper County Ride, our free Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA), as well as our literacy program in the schools for kids who need additional reading assistance through HEART Literacy,” Fischer said.

The funds provided to agencies would not be possible without the support of businesses and individuals who donate to the United Way.

“We could not have the impact we have without the generosity of 915 people and businesses who donated to our 2019 campaign,” Lowe Vokes said. “One of the things I am most grateful for is the giving nature of the Jasper County community. Together we truly are making lives better every day and that is an amazing thing to witness.”