United Way Invests $400,000 in Community

Supporting Community Safety Net Initiatives

UTICA, NY (May 17, 2012) United Way Board of Directors has approved funding allocations for 2012 - investing $400,000 in Community Safety Net programs in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

This July, United Way will support 18 programs that assist community members in crisis in both counties. United Way supports Health, Education, and Income initiatives through a 2-year grant cycle. The Community Safety Net initiatives are funded annually to remain responsive to community needs. Funding investment levels in the focus areas of Health, Education, and Income will continue to receive the same level of funding through June 2013. The program funding comes from donations made locally during the 2011 annual campaign, which raised $2.43 million.

“The overwhelming generosity of individuals and families in the Mohawk Valley makes it possible to fund programs that attempt to meet the pressing needs of our community,” Executive Director Brenda Episcopo said. “Our donors expect their financial gifts to lead to meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals across all segments of our community. The programs our volunteers have chosen to support reflect the vast needs of children, individuals, and families in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.”

A diverse group of 10 volunteers from both the valley and greater Utica area carefully reviewed 14 agency proposals for 20 programs, focusing on funding programs that met United Way funding priorities, demonstrated meaningful, measurable outcomes, collaborated with other agencies, reached target populations, and met the needs of the community as a whole.  Their recommendations were presented to United Way’s Board of Directors and approved on April 25, 2012.

“I’m reminded everyday of the extreme challenges with which our community members are faced,” Director of Community Investment Robin M. Robinson said. “I hear both passion and frustration in the voices of those sharing stories from programs trying to assist their fellow man. They’re serving hot meals and distributing greatly needed food; providing shelter for domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims, and the homeless; and providing disaster response services and legal assistance for immediate crisis needs. United Way is here to help support these services as the many providers experience an all-time low in funding from the government and other funding organizations.”

A complete list of funded programs is available online at www.unitedwaygu.org/what-we-do. The following agencies will receive Community Safety Net funding from July 2012 through June 2013.

About United Way

United Way of the Valley & the Greater Utica Area is a local, independent non-profit organization funding area programs and services, providing a safety net for our community and addressing crucial community issues in the impact areas of health, education, and income. For more information about United Way, to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or to donate to the annual campaign, visit www.unitedwaygu.org or call (315) 733-4691.

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