Press Release: Davidson County United Way provides funding to twenty-five local nonprofits
On the morning of January 31, 2024, the United Way of Davidson County Board of Directors met to hear recommendations provided by over 60 individual community members who participated as fund distribution volunteers. Twenty-five local nonprofits were chosen to receive $866,046 in grants this year.
Financial Stability (9 grants, $268,241)
American Red Cross, Disaster Cycle Services, $25,101 – This program helps individuals and families prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Home Solutions of Davidson County, Home Repair Program, $25,636 – This program assists qualifying Davidson County homeowners with much needed home repairs and/or accessibility modifications to ensure they can stay in their home.
Pastor’s Pantry, Targeting Senior Hunger, $41,263 - Providing monthly groceries to senior adults experiencing long-term financial stress in Davidson County.
The Arc of Davidson County, Summer Respite Camp, $14,555 - Summer Camp that provides social and recreational opportunities for school-age children with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a traditional summer camp.
The Salvation Army of Davidson County, Community Resourcing Services, $52,500 – Provides emergency resources and quality food to families and individuals in Davidson County.
The Workshop of Davidson, Access to Services and Community Integration/Inclusion Opportunities Program, $49,369 – Provides transportation assistance to approximately 70-100 persons to have opportunities for community inclusive activities and job placement.
South Davidson Family Resource Center, Food Pantry/Clothes Closet/Emergency Services, $19,274 - Provides food on a monthly (and emergency) basis, financial assistance with utility bills, rental or mortgage payment assistance, and heating costs such as fuel oil or wood.
Family Services of Davidson County, Crisis Intervention Program, $34,666 - The Hattie Lee Burgess Safe Home, provides a safe, temporary residence available 24 hours a day seven days a week for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and their children as well as victims of Human Trafficking.
The CARes Project, Car Ownership Program, $5,877 - Helping low-income individuals and families to become financially secure through car ownership, by making community-funded vehicle loans and by building skills through financial and credit coaching.
Education (6 grants, $202,556)
The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Davidson County, Club Experience, $45,071 – Promotes academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Designed to help ensure that kids feel safe, advance to their next grade level, graduate high school, avoid gangs and drugs, develop strong morals, improve their social skills, stay healthy and active.
Communities in Schools of Lexington/Davidson County, Dropout Prevention Program, $28,660 - Drop Out Prevention Program strives to build positive relationships, provide a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a healthy finish, develop a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and the opportunity to give back to the community.
Communities in Schools of Thomasville, Program Coordinator, $33,521 - Program Director oversees support programs at all four schools. This includes programs such as Man Cave, Guy Talk, and Little Women of Distinction, all programs that focus on manners and relationship building with peers.
J. Smith Young YMCA, After School & Summer Camp Year-Round Childcare, $43,872 – Provides program scholarships to families who are in need of childcare, but are not able to afford it.
Project Potential, Academic Support Program, $13,847 – Provides individual and small group tutoring sessions as well as workshops to help participants overcome gaps in learning, prepare for standardized testing, and navigate their high school courses.
Tom A. Finch Community YMCA, School Age Child Care Program, $37,585 – Provides scholarships for children to attend the after school and summer day camp program.
Health (11 grants, $395,249)
Cancer Services of Davidson County, Cancer Patient Support Program, $45,443 - Provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients to assist with prescriptions, mileage reimbursement, emergency help, support group meetings and physical support supplies.
The Life Center of Davidson County, Adult Day Health Services, $41,267 - Program provides high quality daytime care to older and impaired adults to help improve the quality of life for them and their caregivers by offering support, relief, respite and counsel.
Davidson Medical Ministries/DC Connect, $84,781 – DMMC – Medical Assistance program & DC Connect - Funding is provided for two separate programs. 1) Medical Assistance Program – This program assists patients in obtaining life saving prescription medications at little or no cost. 2) DC Connect Program - Assists individuals with access to wrap around services related to social determinants of health. It provides a gateway to success from crisis to sustainability.
Dragonfly House, Child Abuse Medical Exam Program, $9,553 - Forensic medical evaluations to assess and treat physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect in a child-friendly environment.
Positive Wellness Alliance, HIV Case Management Program, $7,741 - Case management program that coordinates medical, dental, legal, mental health, transportation, emergency financial assistance, medication assistance and crisis intervention services.
Meals on Wheels of Lexington, Home Delivered Meals, $17,244 – Program serves the elderly, sick or otherwise home bound a hot nutritious meal 5 days a week. Provides daily contact with clients, many of whom are lonely and in need of love and attention.
Special Olympics Davidson County, $7,000 – Funding will cover the 2024 Spring training season as well as the cost of the 2024 Spring Games event. Additional funds will be used to purchase new uniforms and equipment for program year training and competition.
Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Holistic Services, $8,602 - Assists in overcoming communication barriers & to advocate for accessibility
Nazareth Child and Family Connection, Substance Abuse Program & Outpatient Therapy, $15,067 - Licensed social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, and physicians work together to provide the best evidence-based services. Psychological testing, marriage and family counseling, couples counseling, therapy for mental health disorders, addiction treatment, substance abuse intensive outpatient programs, and medication-assisted therapy.
Family Services of Davidson County, Counseling Program, $138,487 - provides outpatient mental health treatment for children, youth, adults, and families who are experiencing crisis and/or traumatic events that negatively impact their ability to navigate their daily responsibilities successfully.
Hospice of Davidson County, Support Services Program, $20,064 – Provides individual and group grief counseling to Davidson County residents. Funding assists in the expansion of grief services for children from families accessing care at the Hinkle Hospice House.
United Way of Davidson County (UWDC) serves Davidson County with the mission to bring together community resources to identify and meet the human service needs in Davidson County through responsible leadership. UWDC does this in many ways: through funding quality of life, health and human services programs; through community development services; and through building and sustaining partnerships and other collaborative initiatives.
United Way of Davidson County received funding requests from 25 local nonprofits. In October, the United Way trained community volunteers from all areas of Davidson County. In November, those volunteers formed eleven panels. Each panel was assigned two or three funding applications to review. In December, the panels performed site visits to each agency and listened to presentations on why specific programs should receive funding. The United Way Board received funding recommendations from those eleven panels and acted on those recommendations.
Each agency was assigned an Agency Advocate who also serves as a Board Member for the United Way. Fund Distribution was led this year by Sheri Woodyard, with Davidson County Government. Agency Advocates for the United Way this year were, Eddie Bowling (City of Thomasville), David Snapp (Edward Jones), Jonathan Ray (Davidson Water), Sheri Woodyard (Davidson County Government), John Clowney (Bull City Ciderworks), Dustin Carter (Thomasville Police Department), Laura Duran (City of Lexington), Dylan Wilmoth (Mohawk Industries), Jude Joseph (Owens & Minor), and Susan Huneycutt (Davidson Davie Community College).
Sheri Woodyard, UWDC Fund Distribution chair stated, we are extremely grateful to our community volunteers who dedicated both their time and expertise to review the needs of those agencies requesting United Way funding. The needs in our community are great, and we are appreciative of all the dedication and effort involved in making this campaign year and fund distribution process a success. We recognize the positive impact these dollars will make in our community.
The United Way Board, expressed thanks to the Campaign Chair, Joel Sandman, with Sandman Realty for his passion and leadership during the Campaign, and to the hundreds of volunteers and donors throughout the county who make this process possible each year through their contributions to United Way.
The United Way of Davidson County will hold a Campaign Celebration on Thursday, April 25th beginning at 5:30 PM at Bull City Ciderworks in Lexington. The United Way welcomes community members to
come celebrate. Food trucks will be on site for purchase and Sunset Slush will provide free slushies to those in attendance. This event is free to anyone who wishes to attend.
In July of 2024, United Way will hold its annual Agency Funding Meeting. Any 501(c)(3) interested in applying for United Way funding for 2025 is welcome to this meeting. Information will be distributed via social media and on the UWDC’s website.
Community members who are interested in serving as a fund distribution volunteer for the 2024-2025 grant cycle, should contact the United Way of Davidson County at 336-249-2532 or visit their website to obtain more information – www.uwdavidson.org.
{Photo Courtesy of Davidson County United Way}
About United Way of Davidson County
United Way of Davidson County’s mission is to bring together community resources to Identify and meet the human service needs in Davidson County through responsible leadership. The United Way of Davidson County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. For more information, contact Kristie Hege, President, at (336) 249-2532 or kristiehege@uwdavidson.org.
