Continuing its work to build financially stable families, United Way of Jackson County announced it will invest $480,000 in 24 local programs and initiatives.
“United Way strives for a community rich in opportunities for every person to achieve financial stability. We’re excited to make these investments in Jackson County to advance this important work,” said Ken Toll, President and CEO.
Toll said the work is more important than ever due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “More people, especially those already struggling financially, have been laid off or furloughed, putting them further behind. But if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that Jackson County has the compassion and determination to tackle these needs.”
In 2016, UWJC committed to addressing economic instability in Jackson County. A study of Michigan families in or near poverty, known as the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report, revealed that 13% of Jackson County households are in poverty, and another 29% don’t earn enough income to achieve a stability budget.
“We set a goal of helping 5,000 Jackson County households develop a pathway to financial stability by 2025. These investments and partnerships will build momentum toward achieving that goal,” said Toll.
The biggest challenge to that momentum is resources, Toll added. “These investments are less than we’ve done in past years because financial support has declined,” he explained. “That’s been a trend for nonprofits nationwide as well as for most United Ways. Also, the economic impact of the pandemic has affected whether pledges from last fall are fulfilled, and may even affect future support.
“So our focus is on supporting the most effective programs that align with our mission to accelerate our community’s progress,” Toll continued. “We continue to reach out to our local supporters to show the value of their trust in us. And we’re actively pursuing new grants and other sources of revenue to strengthen our work.”
Bethany Stutzman, Director of Community Solutions for UWJC, said the investments include a new element: a $10,000 mini-grant initiative to support underserved populations.
“We are working to embed equity into every element of our work. As we’ve listened and learned, it’s become clear that specific neighborhoods and populations in Jackson County should be more connected to our financial stability work. So we’ve invested in some new program partners which are specifically focused on addressing inequities (such as Nation Outside and Save Our Youth), and we are also launching a mini-grant initiative that will work with grassroots groups focused on basic needs that are embedded in those communities,” Stutzman explained. “These groups know what individuals and families need to succeed. By making grants available to them, we know those needs can be addressed in the best way.”
Other initiatives receiving funding include Energizing Education (early grade reading); Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative; the Nonprofit Network (Bridges Out of Poverty and capacity building for nonprofit social service agencies); and the Collaborative Network (organizational equity assessments and other systems change). In addition, UWJC will lead an effort to inform and engage the community on poverty and related issues.
For program support, UWJC is partnering on 18 programs with 15 local agencies, including four new partners. Programs and agencies receiving support include the following:
• HubMoms, The Hub Teen Center of Jackson
• Suspension Intervention Program, Save Our Youth Help Them Prosper
• Mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County
• Just Understand My Potential (JUMP), Family Service & Children’s Aid
• Fresh Food Distribution, South Michigan Food Bank
• Nation Outside, Michigan Center for Youth Justice
• Women Taking Action, Partial To Girls
• Trusted Advisors, Great Start Collaborative
• Community-Based Empowerment to Homeownership, Community Action Agency
• Education Advocacy & Support, Student Advocacy Center
• Jackson Guardian Program, Family Service & Children’s Aid
• Family Support Program, Child Care Network
• Counseling Services, AWARE Inc.
• Bridge To School, Student Advocacy Center
• Residential Services, AWARE Inc.
• Jackson County Clinical Counseling Voucher Program, Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale Counties/Family Services & Children’s Aid
• Financial Literacy at the After-School Program, Lily Missions Center
• Legal Services for Basic Needs and Long-Term Stability, Legal Services of South Central Michigan