WATERLOO, IA—Cedar Valley United Way is investing $518,752 into improving financial stability in the community for 2014-2015. In addition to these grants targeting income, funding will be distributed to programs working to improve education and health in the Cedar Valley.
“Nearly 6,000 children in the Cedar Valley live in poverty,” said Wayne Frost, chair of the community impact team for income. “The federal poverty level for a family of four is $23,850. These children come from homes where basic needs are often not able to be met.”
“Cedar Valley United Way is promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency for individuals and families,” said Sheila Baird, Cedar Valley United Way president. “We are making these investments so that everyone in our community can have the opportunity to build a secure future for themselves and their families.”
In addition to the grant investments, $14,886 has been set aside to target holistic programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty.
“This spring United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Connection hosted Dr. Ruby Payne, an expert on poverty who talked about the generations it takes to break the cycle of poverty,” said Frost. “We want to enable families to break that cycle once and for all, and are looking to invest in innovative and collaborative programs that are addressing generational poverty.”
“Generational poverty has shown to be the toughest form of poverty to overcome,” said Baird. “Maintaining self-sufficiency is difficult when you haven’t had access to the resources needed to develop those skills.”
Grant applications were reviewed by a community impact team of volunteers in each of the focus areas of education, income and health. Programs were evaluated on their program descriptions, performance measurements, collaboration and effective use of budgeting as well as need for the service in the community.
“The volunteers on our community impact teams are very committed to distributing the funds of United Way contributors that will make the greatest impact in the Cedar Valley,” said Baird.
The money invested is being distributed to programs in the following target areas:
Achieving Greater Financial Stability
- $18,250 to disaster response through the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross
- $10,000 to permanent housing through Community Housing Initiative
- $30,000 for working parent scholarships through Grin and Grow
- $23,240 for the Cedar Valley financial stability project though Iowa Legal Aid
- $14,333 for the special assistance program at Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
- $17,950 to the Cedar Valley refugee newcomer program at Operation Threshold
- $15,000 for the pocket change program at Operation Threshold
- $10,000 for tenant based rental assistance at Operation Threshold
- $28,395 for transitional housing through Pathways Behavioral Services
- $35,000 for comprehensive assistance at The Salvation Army
- $15,667 for individual development accounts through Veridian Credit Union
- $30,000 for summer daze at the YWCA of Black Hawk County
- $30,000 for Y’s kids at the YWCA of Black Hawk County
- $40,000 for House of Hope through Christian Community Development
Increasing Income
- $35,000 to the emergency shelter program at The Salvation Army
- $35,000 to men’s transitional housing at The Salvation Army
- $25,000 for community meals at The Salvation Army
- $42,917 for the Cedar Valley food pantry at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank
- $42,000 for elderly nutrition at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank
- $15,000 for transitional housing through Community Housing Initiatives
Building Savings
- $6,000 for financial stewardship and mentoring through the Job Foundation
Money from these grants was raised as part of the 2013 annual campaign with donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals. In addition to the income grants, funding will also be distributed to programs working to improve education and health in the Cedar Valley.
Cedar Valley United Way is committed to leveraging resources including financial contributions, community expertise, in-kind contributions and partnerships to fuel impact here in our community. Their focus is to improve and promote education, income and health within the Cedar Valley. For more information about Cedar Valley United Way and how you can give, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.
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