 |
|
Greetings!
|
Each year, volunteers for
the United Way review the applications of agencies asking for support. The
Community Investment Committee's (CIC) primary responsibility is to make sure
that it is responding to the existing, developing, and long term needs of the
community. Twenty-two volunteer team members devoted 205 hours to the review of
the programs because funding decisions are often difficult. This year was even
more challenging because there was a 5% shortfall in the annual campaign. The
United Way Board of Directors has committed to containing their own costs,
including holding employee salaries, in order to allocate the same amount of
funding to the community as last year - $395,000.
The CIC makes their
decision after completing face to face interviews and scrutinizing each agency's
financial history and development plans. Volunteers looked closely at the
quality of services delivered, not simply at the number of people served, always
asking the hard questions, "Are we giving people a hand up or a hand out?" "Are
agencies moving people toward self sufficiency or deeper into dependency?" "Are
the agencies applying for funding operating in a cost efficient manner - are we
getting the best bang for the buck?" "Are they seeking foundation grants or
other sources of funding to complement United Way funding?"
Three new
programs were added this year, Telephone Advice Project - MidPenn Legal
Services, Coalition of HOPES (Help Offering Programs & Essential Services) -
Shelter Services and the MJ Community Clinic Project. These organizations met
strict "operational" and "financial" guidelines required by all United Way
partners. Some requirements are whether the organizations meet a critical
community problem, whether their services were duplicated by other non-profits,
and whether United Way funding would "significantly increase or improve the
services they offer."
Donating to United Way is the best and most
effective way to give for several reasons; one donation addresses a wide range
of critical health and human service needs, funding is invested only in service
programs that are proven to be effective and efficient, the funding decisions
are made by knowledgeable community volunteers and backed by current, quality
data. "I would like to thank the people of Mifflin and Juniata counties for
their continuing support of the United Way during these difficult economic times
when fuel and food costs continue to rise," said Chris Warfel, volunteer
Community Investment Chair.
To see which programs received United Way
funding, please visit our website.
|
|
 |
|
 |
Day of Caring registration deadline: Wednesday, August 12. Visit www.mjunitedway.org/doc for more information.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Free Summertime Lunches for
Students
|
Schools letting out for the summer can spell trouble for many poor and hungry
children who no longer can get school lunches and breakfasts. During the school
year kids typically receive at least one-third of the nutrients they consume
each day from school lunch. Unfortunately, for many children school vacation
represents a hungry time because school lunch in no longer available.
During the past school year, Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School witnessed 47.5%
of the students receiving free or reduced lunches (the overall average for
Juniata County being 33%). Buchanan Elementary School is even
higher, with 67% eating lunch for free or at a reduced rate (Mifflin County's
overall average was 41%).
United Way sponsors the Summer Food Service Program, in an attempt to fight
down the number of hungry kids in the summer. Through the PA State
of Education, we can provide free, healthy meals to children at our partner
sites. Each site has the option of serving two meals, choosing
from breakfast, lunch, or snack. This year, our efforts have
expanded to 12 sites, bringing lunches to the Mifflin-Juniata Special Needs
Center, JC Summer Academy/Lincoln Intermediate Unit, Seven Mountains Academy,
Project Yes, LUMINA Center, and both SUPER WHY! Camps. This
program would not be possible without the kind donation from the Lewistown Paper
Company, and the efforts from the Mifflin-Juniata Food Services and Lewistown
Giant, who order and prepare the meals.
By summer's end, 619 kids will have been fed almost 17,000 free,
healthy meals.
|
|
SUPER Readers to the
Rescue!
|
During the week of June
22nd-26th, thirty children attended the SUPER WHY! kindergarten readiness camp
at MT View Elementary. Based on the popular children's PBS program SUPER WHY!,
the camp provided the children with the opportunity to work on letter
recognition, letter sounds, simple sight words, self-help skills, social skills
and more. The camp also prepared the kids for kindergarten, by having them ride
the bus to school and practice getting food through a lunch line. Camp began
each day with breakfast at 8:00am and finished up at noon. A healthy breakfast
and snack were provided all week for the campers through the Summer Food Service
Program. On the last day of camp, families were invited to spend the morning
with their children for a Camp Celebration including a visit from SUPER WHY!
himself. The next SUPER WHY! Camp will be held at Highland Park Elementary from
August 3rd-7th.
Thank you to everyone involved for helping to make the
camp a success!
Sponsored By:
SUCCESS BY
6 &
WPSU Raising Readers
|
|
Give.
|
You can LIVE UNITED
by giving support to United Way or one of our Impact Areas and support our more
strategic approach to community problem-solving!
|
Advocate.
|
You can LIVE UNITED by
helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone
forwards this to five people!
|
Volunteer.
|
You can LIVE UNITED by
lending a hand to those who need one. Contact the United Way office to offer
your help!
|
Upcoming Events
|
July 16
Blood Drive
1pm-7pm
Brown's
United Methodist Church, McAlisterville
July 16
Book Club
6:30pm
Juniata
County Library
*come prepared to discuss The Painted Drum by Louise
Erdrich*
July 21
Stories in the
Garden
11am
Juniata County Library
*all ages welcomed*
July
25
FREE Child Seat Inspections
10am-2pm
Lewistown
Hospital
*call 242-7438 for more information*
July 25
Community
Concert
1pm-5:30pm
Victory Park, Lewistown
*hosted by Communities That
Care and South Hills*
August
6
Stories in the Park with Rosie
10am-11am
East Waterford
Park
*all ages welcome*
August 6
Friends of the
Juniata County Library meeting
7pm
Juniata County Library
*call
436-6378 or visit www.juniatalibrary.org for more
information*
August 12
Deadline
for Day of Caring Team and Project registration
August 13
FREE Child Seat
Inspections
10am-2pm
Lewistown Hospital
*call 242-7438 for more
information*
August 19
Adult
CPR/AED and First Aid Class
8:30am-3:30pm
ComPASS Center,
Lewistown
*sponsored by Red Cross, for more info, call 1-866-311-3832*
August 27
First Aid
Class
6pm-9:30pm
ComPASS Center, Lewistown
*sponsored by Red Cross, for
more info, call 1-866-311-3832*
September
16
Day of Caring
September
16
Adult CPR/AED Class
6pm-10pm
ComPASS Center,
Lewistown
*sponsored by Red Cross, for more info, call 1-866-311-3832*
September 17
Book
Club
6:30pm
Juniata County Library
*come prepared to discuss To Kill a
Mockingbird by Harper Lee*
For more events, visit the calendar on our website.
|
|
|
|
