The United Way of the Big Bend is giving out more than a million dollars to local and regional social service organizations. The funding is the result of last year’s giving campaign, and comes weeks before the organization launches its latest fundraising effort.
United Way of the Big Bend Executive Director Bernice Cox said the money is being split up among the dozens of human service agencies in the eight-county area the United Way supports.
“One-point-three-eight million dollars being allocated into the community for the great work our program partners do. We had more applications than we’ve had in previous years for our own funding and that was exciting to see. Unfortunately, that means there’s great need out there.”
The United Way of the Big Bend, along with about half the other United Ways in the country, use a detailed analysis called the ALICE Report. It determines the level of poverty and near-poverty in specific counties.
“We are looking again at Tallahassee/Leon County; 51% of our neighbors live in poverty or at the edge of poverty. As we look at our neighboring counties, Liberty and Gadsden are in the highest at the 60% range that live in poverty or at the edge of poverty. Those statistics are just staggering!”
Cox said those stats help focus United Way efforts in the most critical program areas.
“We look at health and mental health, a safety net when people are in crisis, skills development and early learning and housing. The committees and volunteers make decisions accordingly.”
Cox acknowledged many of these programs simply aren’t connecting with the people who need them. So the United Way is tapping what are called “trusted voices” in the poverty pockets where the disconnect is worst. The funding decisions are made locally. The money raised by counties, stays in those counties, and the people who live in those communities decide what gets funded.
“Their neighbors don’t really know what’s provided out there. They’re not certain what United Way programs are available to them, what city/county/Children’s Services Council programs are available. So we’re being intentional on how we address the neighborhoods in those underserved populations.”
The United Way essentially serves as a funding source to dozens of smaller social service groups. Monies raised by the organization get allocated back down, enabling a person’s giving to stretch further, and reduce duplication.
