Grants
Crisis & Emergency Assistance - United Way awarded six grants totaling $250,000 to address need of families and individuals in disaster and crisis situations. One example of how your United Way investment is being used comes from support to Jewish Family Services for its crisis intervention case management approach that helps county residents avoid eviction, utility shut off, loss of employment or other emergency situations. Many individuals helped by Jewish Family Services are referred by 2-1-1 which reports that local needs for this type of support continue to escalate.
Our Partners - American Red Cross Washtenaw Arbor Hospice Jewish Family Services Legal Services of South Central Michigan SafeHouse Center
Youth After School - United Way awarded five grants totaling $200,000 for after school programs. Part of your United Way investment funds the Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools on-site after-school programming at both Scarlett and East Middle Schools aimed at preventing childhood obesity for youth ages 10-14. The program includes youth and parents on their active advisory council and a strong evaluation model. Participating students give the program high scores for making a difference in their lives. Our Partners - Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan - Huron Valley Club Community Action Network Ozone House Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools
Self-Sufficiency - United Way awarded nine grants totaling $179,000 for programs that support self-sufficiency. Washtenaw Literacy Coalition's "Learning is a Family Thing (LIFT)" is using your United Way investment to launch this new pilot program that provides direct services to children and adults, enhances public awareness and build the coalitions capacity to break the cycle of illiteracy. The project was designed collaboratively by 30 agencies and will be offered at five accessible community locations across the county. Our Partners - Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living Family Learning Institute Legal Services of South Central Michigan Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools Student Advocacy Center Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy Washtenaw Literacy Washtenaw Literacy Coalition
Power of the Purse - This Womens Leadership Initiative has invested $23,000 of United Way support to seven agencies through grants to assist women in their move towards self- sufficiency. Three of the grants will fund the following programs: Reflectively Embracing Nonviolence the Education of Women (RENEW); Separate and Together; and Family Savings/Incentive Plan. The remaining four grants will be used to help women secure childcare, cover tuition costs and help to establish safe housing. Grantees - Catholic Social Services Community Action Network Hope Clinic Interfaith Hospitality Network of Washtenaw County Perry Nursery School SafeHouse Center SOS Community Services
2-1-1 Regional Call Center Every day people come to the realization that they need help. The number of calls for assistance handled by 2-1-1 in 2008 was nearly double the call volume of 2007. Under the guidance of the Advisory Council, who monitor demand and quality assurance, 2-1-1 has worked with a variety of local partners to offer solutions for people needing help dial 2-1-1. This easy to remember phone number is to find help or give help, for instance, with utility payments, shelter, food and other basic needs. United Way, along with Huron Valley Ambulance, Washtenaw County Government, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne Counties are pleased to invest in this service.
Washtenaw Success by 6 Your United Way investment is helping to support, grow and develop services for children and their families across the county. This work includes fostering collaboration and coordination of services; promoting advocacy and awareness of the needs of young children; and working with partner agencies to provide key services for families such as: parenting information packets; referrals to local parenting groups; playgroups and parenting programs; other parenting related services; expanded training for childcare providers; help with publicly funded health insurance enrollment problems; referrals to Early On and support for children with developmental concerns; and coordination of the Washtenaw County Birth to 6 Coordinating Council for agencies serving young children and their families. The United Way of Washtenaw County is pleased to be a core funder.
