Nine Organizations to Receive Program Support
United Way of Hampshire County awards $609,000 to nine local health and human services programs working to improve the lives of children, youth, and their families. This investment, distributed over the next three years, was made possible by the generosity of over 2,500 donors. It is the culmination of a year-long process that relies on the hard work of 80 plus local experts and volunteers who dedicated a combined 680 hours of time. Final decisions were approved by the United Way Board of Directors.
The following are the agencies and programs who received the awards:
Behavioral Health Network – Under Five Thrive
Berkshire Children and Families – Community Centered Family Support
Center for Human Development – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County
Community Action Pioneer Valley – Hampshire County Healthy Families
Cutchins Programs for Children – Children’s Clinic
DIAL/SELF Youth & Community Services – Hampshire County Youth Outreach
Friends of Children
Hilltown Community Health Centers & It Takes a Village – Hilltown Collaborative for Children
Treehouse Foundation- Education and Life Skills
This year, United Way received funding requests totaling over $1.5 million from 24 agencies—requests the exceeded the allocations budget by over two and a half times.
“This year’s grant program was incredibly competitive,” says John Bidwell, Executive Director. “There are so many incredible agencies and programs supplying support to under-served communities. I only wish we could have granted more.”
These programs will address the most critical needs of children and youth in our community including housing and outreach for homeless youth, mentorship and mental health services for children impacted by trauma, home visits and wrap around care for marginalized families and support for those in the foster system.
While most of the programs have received United Way awards, Treehouse Foundation is new to the funding. “We are proud to now call Treehouse a partner agency,” says Geoff Naunheim, United Way Community Investment Manager, ”They are a real leaders in foster care.”
According to Kate Glynn, Chair of the Board, “Hampshire County has a big heart and they prove that every year. We want them to know about the important and quality social service work being done in our community.” United Way offers funding to its organizations in multi-year awards, so that their efforts will continue for the next three years. In addition to its Children, Youth and Their Families support, United Way also funds initiatives focused on Economic Security and Health and Safety.