The focus is on education, income, health and community support services

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Hannon

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Members of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley Executive Committee have approved funding of more than $1,958,875 to programs and United Way-led initiatives for 2013-14.

The focus of the programs and initiatives is primarily in the areas of education, income, health and community-support services.

The local United Way financial campaign exceeded its $2.5 million goal by raising $2,504,224 in pledges, meaning the United Way will be able to continue funding programs and initiatives that impact the lives of many families across the Valley, said Robert Hannon, United Way president. He noted that the agency assumes about $153,000 in pledges won’t be forthcoming or will be otherwise uncollectible. The remaining approximately $350,000 goes for dues to the national United Way and for various operating expenses.

The United Way Executive Committee allocated $654,063 for education, $218,278 to income, $373,439 to health, $488,566 to community support services that provide critical programming to people in need and $83,943 for a variety of other programs and initiatives, Hannon said.

Included in the allocations are funding for Help Hotline Crisis Center’s 2-1-1 information line and Cold Weather Shelter Program, Hands On Volunteer Network’s Volunteer Center and Youngstown Hearing & Speech. A small amount also is set aside for emerging programs and partnerships to address community needs that are consistent with the mission of United Way, he said.

Through United Way’s donor option program, donor-designated funds totaling $140,586 will be distributed in 2013, the agency reported.

United Way-led initiatives receiving financial support include United Way’s Success By 6 program that seeks to make sure children under 6 are prepared to enter kindergarten. Also, Success By 6 collaborates with the An Apple A Day program to encourage healthy eating habits.

“We were fortunate to receive funding from PNC and the Andrews Foundation designated to our Success By 6 initiative,” said Hannon.

Because access to dental care is the top health need not met in Mahoning County, United Way, in partnership with the Humility of Mary Health Partners’ Smile Station dental van, will take dental services to children in the western part of Mahoning County and in Campbell, he said.

A grant from the IRS is designated for expansion of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Mahoning County, which is part of the Financial Stability Partnership, which United Way also will continue to support.

“With a focus to advance initiatives in the areas of education, income, health and community support services, I feel the United Way’s strength lies in its ability to form collaborations, not only to raise the necessary funds to do the work that they do, but in its volunteers who review programs to ensure alignment with its mission and stewardship of its donors resources,” said Brian Kolenich, Community Impact chairman and executive director of Park Vista Retirement Community.