WHITE COUNTY UNITED WAY AWARDS $51,278 THROUGH COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND IN MARCH

MONTICELLO, IN - In February and March, the White County United Way Community Relief Fund was able to significantly assist several local nonprofits that were in need due to the financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the White County United Way Community Relief Fund has received a total of $436,438 to distribute to nonprofits in need, and awarded $51,278 to nonprofits in the three-county region in March alone. 

The organizations that received assistance met basic needs, addressed childcare shortages, and adapted their programming to serve residents living in White, Jasper, or Pulaski counties. The application process is competitive, and requests are reviewed monthly by an advisory board made up of members of each county community, as well as leaders in the White County United Way, Community Foundation of White County, the Community Foundation of Pulaski County, and the Jasper Newton Foundation. 

The Garden Daycare and Sunshine Center Preschool

​of the Monticello United Methodist Church and the Medaryville Nursery School  provide essential services of child care, education, outreach, and engagement. Maintaining the options available for child care and preschool is vital in our communities to ensure the best possible start for our youngest residents. 

The Fendig Theatre for Children, and the Twin Lakes Education Foundation received funding for programs to help students with their mental health during the continuation of the pandemic and the recovery period as they return to more typical schedules. 

Mental Health America (MHA), Willowstone Services and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) received funding to improve mental health access in our region. MHA will bring a Mental Health Navigator to the community to assist residents with accessing important mental health services and crisis care. Willowstone, along with the county schools and family liaison will conduct parental outreach with a virtual Active Parenting series.

The White County Salvation Army will increase direct funds for basic needs and utilities as needed with the funding from the CRF. 

The Community Relief Fund was created to first assist any non-profit social service organization serving White, Jasper, or Pulaski counties that may be suffering the immediate physical, social, and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Relief Fund is a sponsored project of Indiana United Ways with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. 

Applications are still being accepted at this time; however, the Community Relief Fund program is drawing to a close. White County United Way would like to emphasize that all applications need to be submitted as soon as possible. The last day to submit a CRF application to the White County United Way will be July 10, 2021 at midnight. Interested organizations should visit whitecountyunitedway.org and download the grant application found on the Community Relief Fund page. 

Organizations with 501(c)3 status may apply, but agencies with other designations must call before applying. For additional information please contact the White County United Way Executive Director Nikie Jenkinson through email: whitecountyunitedway@gmail.com or call (574) 583-6544. To speak to a Mental Health Navigator please call: 765-742-1800