United Way of Central Maryland announced the award of $426,000 in Community Impact Grants to 14 local programs serving Anne Arundel County’s most vulnerable residents.
 
With demand for basic human services high, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) continues to concentrate its efforts on improving the health, stability and well-being of central Maryland residents who are disadvantaged, especially those living at or near the federal poverty level. These grants serve to get Anne Arundel County residents out of crisis and stabilize them, with the ultimate goal of helping all families and individuals lead self-sufficient lives.

The grant funding reaches across the basic needs spectrum and touches people of all ages in such areas as access to health care, job training and employment, case management, emergency and transitional housing, nutrition, legal assistance, affordable day-care, after-school programs, and the like.

In 2010, UWCM decentralized the Community Impact Grant process to ensure that its dollars address the most pressing human needs. In Anne Arundel County, grant awards are approved according to predetermined criteria by UWCM’s Anne Arundel County Community Partnership Board, composed of volunteers from various sectors who live or work in Anne Arundel County. These volunteers use data, local knowledge and expertise to evaluate and score hundreds of proposals, and then recommend funding to UWCM’s Board of Directors. UWCM’s staff and Community Partnership Board also monitor each program’s effectiveness based on performance reports submitted by grantees throughout the year.

“Our neighbors across the region are still feeling the effects of the recession, and it’s important that we shepherd these funds to have the greatest impact. This year, we have been able to fund more programs in Anne Arundel County to improve more lives,” said Adrian Bordone, co-founder of Social Solutions and chair of UWCM’s Anne Arundel County Community Partnership Board.

“Funding from United Way of Central Maryland enables us to serve our most vulnerable citizens – children who are in foster care because of abuse or neglect. Every child has a right to thrive, to be treated with dignity and to live in a safe, loving home. Every child deserves a fighting chance, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are that fighting chance.” said Rebecca Tingle, executive director of Anne Arundel County CASA, Inc.

United Way of Central Maryland received 36 applications from Anne Arundel County organizations and approved $426,000 in funding for 14 programs. This is an increase from the last community impact grant cycle for fiscal year 2011 – which had 31 applicants, 10 of which were approved.

Anne Arundel County organizations that received community impact funding include:

• Annapolis Area Ministries ($35,000): Supporting case management services at the Light House shelter
• Anne Arundel County CASA ($20,000): Supporting court appointed special advocate services
• Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth & Families ($35,000): Supporting the Promise Neighborhood Family Navigator program
• Arundel House of Hope ($25,000): Supporting the Arundel House of Hope Day & Resource Center and Medical Clinic
• Catholic Charities of Baltimore ($25,000): Supporting the Congregate Housing Services Program
• Catholic Charities of Baltimore ($36,000): Supporting GED and work skills training for Sarah’s House residents
• Chrysalis House ($35,000): Supporting housing and employment coordination services
• Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland ($30,000): Supporting services at the Anne Arundel Abuse Counseling Center
• Legal Aid Bureau ($45,000): Supporting eviction prevention legal services
• Partners in Care ($25,000): Supporting the coordination of care for Anne Arundel County older adults
• The Greater Baltimore Area Salvation Army ($25,000): Supporting the Glen Burnie Boys and Girls Club
• The Arc of The Central Chesapeake Region ($35,000): Supporting the Family Supports Program (FSP)
• The Center of Help ($10,000): Supporting the training, education and self-sufficiency of clients
• YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County ($45,000): Supporting the Arden House Domestic Violence Safe House Shelter

Community Impact Grants represent just one way in which UWCM is addressing basic human needs in Anne Arundel County. The Community Partnership Board is able respond to smaller, urgent requests from local nonprofits on a quarterly basis in the form of Community Response Grants. UWCM is also a major underwriter of specific human service programs at the American Red Cross of Central Maryland, Catholic Charities, THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, American Cancer Society and others – totaling millions of dollars. Last fall, the organization launched its Access to Healthy Food Initiative, a three-year, $2.25 million regional campaign to ensure that people in poverty have greater access to healthy and nutritious food. Later in 2012, UWCM is preparing to launch another major regional initiative to keep families facing eviction housed, together and in the same schools. UWCM also operates the 2-1-1 Maryland call center covering central Maryland, a free service that connects people in need with referral to myriad social services.

“When people think of United Way, our annual fundraising campaigns and volunteer activities often come to mind,” said Mr. Furst. “While we proudly mobilize many generous donors and volunteers, what’s even more important is our ability to harness their collective impact. Together we’re giving help and hope to those who need it the most.”

If you would like to support UWCM’s work, please visit www.uwcm.org to give online or find volunteer opportunities.