The United Way of Grant County has a rich history in this community. Organized in 1929 under the name of Marion Community Chest, the organization served eight member agencies. Those original member organizations were Grant County Tuberculosis Association, Marion General Hospital, Grant County Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., Family Welfare Society, and The Salvation Army.
During that very first campaign, in 1929, a total of $48,851 was raised. Marion Community Chest continued to serve the Grant County Community until 1943 when it became the Grant County War Chest.
Those early campaigns conducted by the Marion Community Chest generated anywhere from a high of $59,093 in 1932 to a low of $25,291 in 1939.
The original eight member agencies did not change during those early years with the exception of Marion General Hospital, which withdrew in 1939. The first new agency, Carver Community Center, was added in 1942. This paved the way for the addition of several more agencies. The Girl Scouts were added in 1943 and Teenage Recreation Center in 1945.
On June 19, 1956, ninety-six citizens of Grant County met to consider the organization of a United Fund for Grant County.
A fact finding committee, chaired by Cornell Bailey, spent much time in assembling all available information about every voluntary fund drive held during a twelve month period. This information included goals, results, costs, and number of volunteer solicitors involved. This information came from eight different organizations including the Grant County War Chest. The facts obtained showed that a total of 1,256 solicitors were used to raise a combined total of $176,865 over a period of 262 days.
The finding of the committee revealed that several of the goals were unmet and the number of solicitors and time involved was great. The committee's recommendation was that a United Fund be organized to reduce the demand of solicitor time and effort.
The results of that June meeting were the formation of the United Fund of Grant County, which, in 1974, became today's United Way of Grant County.
The first United Fund campaign raised $238,608 or 134% of its goal. These funds were used to provide allocations to twenty member agencies.
The United Fund experienced two major milestones during 1962. The first was the inclusion of the Boy's Club as a member agency. The second was the establishment of a citizens' budgeting panel. This panel's purpose was to review agency budgets and programs in related fields of service. This plan of operation provided for a greater understanding of these services and their costs. The formation of this committee paved the way for our current allocations process.
With the annual in-plant solicitations became the need to establish a suggested giving amount. In 1964, on the recommendation of the Central Labor Union, a suggested minimum fair share gift was established of one hour's pay per month. This standard still exists today.
To meet the ever-increasing needs of those within the labor movement in Grant County, the position of Labor Liaison was created in 1969. This position was dissolved in 2006 as a result of lost jobs in the production industry.
The United Way has seen many changes during the past seventy-nine years and continues to play a very important part in our community. One of the major changes facing the organization today is the allocations process. To ensure that the organization and its agencies remain active, a different approach has been taken in funding today's fifteen member agencies. Through the purchasing of programs, as opposed to agency funding, board members are supplying the community with the services residents say are needed.
During the 1990's the United Way of Grant County became involved with the Indiana Association of United Way's Giant Step Initiative. This program, funded by the Lilly Endowment, offered various grants to United Ways throughout Indiana. During the years of 1991 through 1994 Grant County received a total of $164,000 in monetary grants. These grants were used for the Giant Step Media Campaign and the COMPASS Project. Matching funds were received through their Leadership Giving program designed for all new givers. An up to date computer system was also provided with Giant Step money. Participation in Giant Step enabled the United Way to "come out of the box" and take a more visible, active part in the community.
With the opening of the new Marion/Grant County Senior Center in 1991, and St. Martin Community Center in 1999, the United Way demonstrated its deep commitment to the community. Through the collaborative efforts of the City of Marion and Grant County, the Senior Center and St. Martins have become two of the fastest growing "new" agencies in Grant County.
The United Way's other current member agencies include; American Red Cross, Boys' & Girls' Club of Grant County, Cancer Services, Carey Services, Crippled Children and Adults, Family Service Society, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Grant-Blackford Mental Health Center, Sagamore Council-Boy Scouts of America, Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, The Salvation Army, and Y.M.C.A.
With the establishment of an endowment through the Community Foundation in 1995, the United Way has demonstrated that it is planning for the future.
Due to the ever-increasing challenge for the charitable dollar, alternative means of funding have to be sought. To help with this situation, "United Way Day" was born. The brainchild of Doug Lance of Lance's New Market, this one-day event has grown almost four-fold since its inception in 1993.
The United Way continues to be a leader in the community in addressing current and emerging needs. It is committed to actively bringing together all sectors to help make the community more successful. In past years it has provided grants for the operation of Answer line, a community information and referral service, and to the Community Rehab Project. When St. Martin Community experienced a devastating fire last May, the United Way was quick to respond with a gift of $10,000 to help it get back on its feet and to ensure that the needs of its clients would continue to be met. In 2007, the United Way gave a grant to the Community School of the Arts for an after school program called “Energy Program”. This program gave students instruction in Arts and Sports. Educated instructors from each area gave lessons on each topic.
The United Way is accountable to the community for every dollar raised and spent. It is committed to spending the funds wisely and in a cost-effective manner. It is dedicated to conducting the annual campaign at the lowest possible costs.
In 2010 United Way of Grant County allocated $435,500.00 to assist in 33 programs administered by 14 member agencies. These programs provide health, human and welfare services for many of the 68,000 Grant County residents that need assistance.
Providing Emergency Services
Providing emergency food to the Grant County families, Kay’s Kitchen served 52,887 free hot meals. This is one meal per day for 6 days a week. Kay’s Kitchen also served 9,380 children a free hot meal after school. Kid’s Café operates each school day, September thru May. During the summer months, June thru August, 9,250 children were fed breakfast and lunch. The total hot meals provided by St. Martin’s for 2010 was 71,517.
The Salvation Army’s Food Pantry was able to feed 4,441 families, which totaled out to be 10,411 people. The Salvation Army is the only Food Pantry in Grant County with the capabilities of providing perishable items such as eggs, milk, produce, and meat. This allows the Salvation Army’s Food Pantry to meet the needs of the hungry. The Rent Evictions/Utility Disconnect program assisted 329 families to stay in their homes and to have electricity and water as well as food to eat in their home.
The United Way of Grant County, also, supports the programs of Disaster Services through the American Red Cross. Annually 117 residents are provided with immediate needs, which include food, clothing, shelter and medication following single-family disasters. Ninety-seven emergency workers are provided with food and beverages through the canteen program that responds to any large-scale disaster as requested. 2,347 residents are provided with Community Disaster Education through disaster presentations, health and safety fairs and school based programs.
Providing Health Services
Cancer touches every family in the United States weather it is immediate or extended family members. The United Way of Grant County funds the Volunteer Driver Program, Financial Assistance Program, and the Equipment and Supply Programs. The United Way has supported these programs since Cancer Services of Grant County was established in 1959. As of January 14th, 2011, Cancer Services has 2,322 clients. In 2010, there were 115 new clients and provided 5,828 episodes of assistance. CSGC had educated over 6,000 individuals in 2010 about early detection and prevention. Many individuals in the community are underinsured and helpless to cover the expenses that face cancer treatment. Often, those without funds go without medication. Often clients make $5.00 too much per month to qualify for Medicaid and are too young for Medicare. Cancer Services help those individuals find solutions to meet these needs.
Crippled Children & Adults and Cancer Services of Grant County have equipment and work together to provide the equipment to residents as needed. Cancer Services assists cancer patients while Crippled Children & Adults assist all Grant County residents. The programs the United Way of Grant County supports through Crippled Children & Adults are Equipment Loan & Transportation of the Physically Handicapped. Crippled Children are the only agency that provides a van equipped with a lift that give door to door service for wheelchair patients to and from medical appointments inside Grant County. In 2010, Crippled Children & Adults transported 1,552 patients and loaned 545 pieces of equipment. Crippled Children & Adults have no paid staff; this is totally a volunteer organization.
In 2010, Services for the Visual & Hearing Impaired provided 1,778 individuals with service. Programs the United Way of Grant County funds through Services for the Visual & Hearing Impaired are: Assistance to the Individual, Financial Assistance, Prevention, and Education. These individuals would not have ready access to the independent living aids and training that this agency offers. Our funding provides counseling, Braille classes, sign language classes, needed equipment and aids to help with their impairment. They provide house calls to determine the individual needs the agency can provide. Individuals on a fixed income, also, have assistance with the purchase of needed eyeglasses, hearing aids, and independent living aids.
Marion-Grant County Senior Center provided services for 4,087 participants (or units) in the Health, Screenings, and Education Programs. 1,075 people received free blood pressure checks and another 61 received flu shots. For these programs the United Way dollars helped these senior citizens maintain a healthy body. There were 787 seniors (or units) that participated in exercise classes and 54 used the exercise equipment. Other areas of education and health programs are: Foot Clinic, Educational/Health Talks, Hand/Back Massages, Footwear Fitting, Line Dancing, Senior Health Insurance Information Program & Presentations, Breakfast for the Brain, Wii Bowling, and 1st Friday Breakfasts. Services for the Visual & Hearing Impaired performs Eye Screenings and Ear Screening for the seniors. The Marion-Grant County Senior Center with the funding provided by the United Way of Grant County, Inc. continues to support and assist our senior citizens to maintain or improve their quality of life.
The American Red Cross aids in Health and Safety Services. In 2010, they trained 1,421 people in aquatics, 33 in Babysitter’s Training, 26 in Family Care Giving and 2,173 in CPR and First Aid. They, also, taught 723 in various non-certifiable safety courses. All of which were funded by the donated dollars to the United Way of Grant County.
Human Services
Annually the American Red Cross delivers 159 Emergency Communication Messages between service members and their families. They also process an average of 14 military assistance loans and grants. This program funded by the United Way of Grant County is “Services to the Armed Forces.”
Carey Service provides the special need clients with their Adult Day Services. In 2010, there were 104 individuals that participated in these services in Grant County and many needed the transportation to and from home. With the United Way dollars these individuals were able to have a meaningful daily experience. These experiences include: Sheltered work, pre-vocational training, and habilitation training in daily living skills. Without the United Way funding, these individuals would be left at home without constructive engagement on a daily basis.
Family Service Society has been providing counseling and shelter to victims of abused children and adults. In 2010, 203 different women and children received safe shelter for a total of 2,024 days/nights of safety. Support groups are provided and children’s activities assist children in processing the trauma they experience. In 2010, 311 Crisis Calls were managed; 238 Information and Referral calls, and 4,733 General Information calls were received.
Family Service Society provided over 1,667 clients (individuals or families) with counseling services. These services are provided in the office, home, or school. United Way funds assist in underwriting the cost of counseling services for uninsured clients or those unable to pay their sliding scale fee. Other ways of how the United Way funds are used includes support for surviving family members of those lost to suicide, families experiencing parent-teen conflicts, and adult children facing elder care. Our funds help to bring families back together.
The United Way of Grant County purchased programs from Grant-Blackford Mental Health. These programs provide addiction services for individuals who have been diagnosed with addictive disorders. These programs offer inpatient care, two adult intensive outpatient programs and one adolescent program. The addiction program centers on the physical/psychological aspects of addiction, family and social interaction, and wellness that include relapse prevention. Also, offered is the Educational and Continuing Care Program for both the adult and adolescent residents of Grant County. For these individuals who require additional support Grant-Blackford Mental Health offers case management to assist with individual needs (e.g. – education, employment, housing and medication). In 2010, 387 clients were served in the Inpatient Unit for substance abuse. 633 clients required substance abuse related treatment. 72% of those served earned less that 20k per year while 29% had no insurance.
Youth Development & Education
Boy’s & Girl’s Club of Grant County offers many options to young people from Education Enrichment and Character Development to Athletic Leagues and Open Gym time. These programs are designed to help children ages 6 to 18 develop physically, emotionally, and socially. There are currently over 800 members and hundreds of others who participate and attend functions. Over half of the members at the Boy’s & Girls Club of Grant County come from families who make less than $20,000 per year. The individual programs supported by the United Way are: Personal & Educational Development, Mentoring 202 Program, Health & Physical Education, and Social Recreation.
The Young Men’s Christian Association received funding for the Summer Day Camp and the Before and After School Child Care Program. The YMCA 2010 Day Camp served 115 students in Grant County. Our funds provided these children with a safe environment when school was not in session. The YMCA 2010 Child Care Program touched 492 students. The Child Care Program provides care for children from 1st grade thru 5th grade. Parents who work can rely on the YMCA to watch their child as early as 6:00 a.m. up until school is to start and as late as 6:00 p.m. after school lets out. This gives every parent the assurance that while they are working their child is being cared for at the schools location. Parents no longer have to stay at home, become jobless, to watch their children. This program also keeps the children off the streets at such a young age.
The Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana are two more programs that the United Way dollars fund. Dollars allocated to these programs stay in Grant County to assist the development of our scouts. The Boy Scout program provides citizenship training, character development and personal fitness growth. In 2010, the United Way supported 447 Boy Scouts and the materials needed for the adult leaders. The Girl Scouts in Grant County provided 614 girls and 143 adults with supported programs. These girls rely on the United Way dollars to provide program development, learning opportunities for adult mentors, the use of the Marion Cabin and Camp Windigo facilities, and for financial assistance to those who otherwise could not afford to participate in Girl Scouting.
The United Way of Grant County is accountable to the community for every dollar raised and spent. It is committed to spending the funds wisely and in a cost-effective manner. It is dedicated to conducting the annual campaign at the lowest possible costs. The United Way strives to serve the community and fourteen member agencies. The United Way of Grant County is proud to associate with all of the 14 member agencies to help the people of our community. With the support of our dedicated and caring board members and the financial support of the community, we will continue to ensure that the needs of the community are met well into the next century.
The United Way is proud to touch the lives of so many and help to make a difference in Grant County.
LIVE UNITED!