Federal Funds for Emergency Food, Shelter to be Distributed Through United Way

United Way of Summit County will oversee distribution of federal monies designated for our region. Summit County will be awarded $410,678 for calendar year 2010 (a decrease of 6%) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The funds are to be used by eligible local service agencies to supplement and expand the capacity of existing emergency food and shelter programs in Summit County. Funds are not to be used for creating new programs. A National Board made up of representatives from national organizations and chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated the grant.

The Summit County Emergency Food and Shelter Local Board, consisting of representatives from voluntary, governmental, and religious sectors will determine how to allocate the Summit County award among local eligible emergency food and shelter programs.

Under terms of the grant, local organizations receiving funds must (1) be private, voluntary nonprofit or units of government; (2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit by an independent accountant depending on the award amount; (3) practice non-discrimination; (4) operate an ongoing program that has demonstrated capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and (5) have a voluntary board, if a private, voluntary organization. The Summit County local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter Funds previously to 29 participating agencies, which provided more than 172,000 meals, 3,100 nights of shelter, paid 270 utility bills and provided 390 units of rent/mortgage assistance.

Eligible organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact the United Way of Summit County, Community Impact Division, at 330-643-5509. The application deadline is 4:00p.m. February 11, 2010.

United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or come to our office at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

Walking The Walk and Living United

United Way of Summit County’s mission is ‘We improve lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services.’ Among those assets we seek to mobilize are the thousands of volunteers in our community who are willing to give of their time to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.

And the staff at United Way of Summit County is leading by example when it comes to volunteerism. United Way staffers give of themselves to a variety of community organizations. For example:

Bob Kulinski serves on the Boards of Project: Grad Akron, Social Services Advisory Board, Ohio United Way and Heart to Heart Communications.

Katie Rennard was recently elected President of the Akron Roundtable Board of Trustees. In addition, Katie serves as 'New Club Building Chair' for the State of Ohio Kiwanis Board and is past-President and Secretary of the Akron Kiwanis.

Lois Foster is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Board of Summit County.

Charlene Corlett is Chair, 2010 Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Dinner and a member of the Board of Trustees for Leave a Legacy of Summit/Portage/Medina.

Michael Gaffney is chair of the Board Development Committee for the Community Support Services Board as is Secretary of the Board of Directors for Weathervane Community Playhouse.

Beth Curley is Vice Chair of the Children’s Services Board of Summit County.

Laura Brelin serves as First Vice President and Board Member for the Akron Kiwanis Club, Co-Chair of the Membership committee of Torchbearers, and member of the nominating committee for the American Red Cross’ Acts of Courage Dinner.

Pam Beals is co-chair of the Start Line Committee for the Roadrunner Akron Marathon and a member of DOVIA of Akron.

Brian Duchon is a Big Brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, liaison for the University of Akron Student United Way chapter, and a Board Member for the Young Professionals of Akron.

Brenda Farrell serves on the City of Akron 2010 Complete Count Census Committee, is Vice President of the Barberton Rotary Club Foundation and a member of the Barberton-South Summit Chamber of Commerce.

Julie Wingate is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children through the Summit County Juvenile Court and a member of the Youth Emancipation Task Force with Summit County Children’s Services.

Jill Patterson serves as co-chair for the program committee for the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Board of Directors for the Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce. She’s also a member of the Chambers of Commerce in Cuyahoga Falls and Hudson and the Stow Kiwanis.

I think that’s the epitome of ‘Walking the Walk.’

United Way and AFL-CIO Partner to Raise Haitian Relief Funds

United Way of Summit County (UWSC) and the Tri-County Regional Labor Council AFL-CIO have teamed up to encourage and accept donations to a variety of Haitian Relief causes. The incredible devastation left by the massive January 12th earthquake has killed tens of thousands and left those who survived in desperate need for food, water and medical supplies.

Those who wish to give can send checks to United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect Street, Akron, OH 44304 – Attn: Haitian Relief. UWSC will forward your contribution to United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund and the Red Cross International Response Fund in equal shares.

Tri-County Regional Labor Council Executive Secretary/Treasurer John Wagner said, “We know that times are tough for many of our members and for many in this community, but Americans have always shown the best of ourselves by giving to those in greater need, even when it’s hard.”

UWSC President Bob Kulinski said, “While we’re still working hard to raise money locally to meet our $11.3 million goal and help those in need here in Summit County, we recognize our responsibility to respond to global disasters and epic tragedies such as this earthquake. We are happy to partner with the Tri-County Regional Labor Council to provide a vehicle to enable individuals and organizations to help out in this disaster. We will forward contributions to these relief funds with absolutely no administrative charge.”

United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, explore our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or visit our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

Whatever holiday you're celebrating at this time of year, it's a great opportunity to LIVE UNITED. United Way of SC wishes all a great 2010.

In times of hardship, a United Way of service

By William Lowery

Published in the Akron Beacon Journal on Thursday, Dec 10, 2009

National news reports have been anticipating the end of the current recession. But for so many of our family members, our friends and neighbors, the reality seems decidedly less rosy. With unemployment nearly double 2007 levels and numerous employees facing reduced wages or benefits, many families are turning to United Way-supported programs for the first time.

These agencies and programs are facing a ''triple whammy'' in these turbulent times. More people need help while donations and funding sources have decreased and social service agencies have been forced to reduce staff and program capacity.

What's missing from so many of our conversations is a sense of hope. We seem to forget that whenever tragedy strikes, our country — and our community in particular — generously responds. Here in Summit County, giving to our annual United Way/Red Cross campaigns has always spiked during times of economic upheaval, tragedy and war.

That's because a contribution to the United Way/Red Cross Campaign remains the best way to make the biggest difference in the lives of so many people in our community. When you give to United Way, we can continue our support of the many agencies and organizations that are providing the programs and services to those who need them the most during tough economic times.

There is no doubt that the problems we face are daunting. Our food pantries, our crisis counseling agencies, our homeless shelters are reporting increases in requests for assistance — increases of up to 30 percent or more. And many of those people who are seeking help are having to do so for the first time ever. These people who, until recently, were giving to those in need are now the ones asking for a helping hand.

And even those of us fortunate enough to be in a position to give may have less discretionary money available than we have in years past. That's why a gift to the United Way/Red Cross Campaign makes the most sense.

No matter what you can afford to give, you can be assured that your contribution is joined with thousands of others and will make a measurable difference in the lives of real people, helping to fund programs throughout our community that maintain our basic safety net of services and provide vital support in the areas of health, early education and financial stability for families.

That's what many of our friends and neighbors have decided. Early returns to United Way/Red Cross Campaign here in Summit County have been very encouraging. Fully 48 percent of those who have donated so far during this campaign are contributing for the first time or are increasing their gift over last year. That's a positive trend, but we still need everyone to step up and join us if we're to reach our aggressive community goal of $11,303,526.

I have been honored to serve as this year's chair of the United Way/Red Cross Campaign of Summit County. It's been inspiring to watch the incredible work of the professional staff and the hundreds of volunteers in our community raising this money in difficult circumstances. I'm also in awe of the dedicated, talented men and women who work day in and day out on the front line, providing critical social services to our grateful community.

You can donate through our Web site at www.uwsummit.org. We hope you'll join us as we strive to LIVE UNITED and advance the common good. Our community deserves nothing less than our best effort.

Lowery is the chair of the 2009 United Way of Summit County Campaign.

UWSC President Bob Kulinski was interviewed on WAKR radio about the local economy and non-profit issues. http://tinyurl.com/y8wcmg7.

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