United Way to boost funding to educational programs

The United Way of Southeast Missouri will have slightly more money to allocate to community programs this year.

A total of $703,218 will be distributed to organizations now in the process of being selected. That's an additional $39,823 as a result of funds raised in the 2009 United Way campaign.

The United Way's 2009 drive raised an estimated $1,142,858, just short of its $1.2 million goal.

The organization's allocations committee will announce its 2010 funded programs in August.

"Funding decisions will be made this summer with heavy emphasis on our education strategies," said executive director Nancy Jernigan. Education programs are expected to make up 50 percent of its 2010 allocations.

Abraham Parrow, right, and Matthew Taylor unload donated used furnishings with Walt Wildman on Wednesday at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Cape Girardeau.

Education programs received 41 percent of the $663,395 distributed to local agencies in 2009, according to the United Way's annual Community Impact Report released at the organization's annual meeting last week.

In 2009, the United Way formed its Education Solutions Team to develop strategies for addressing the graduation rate in the Cape Girardeau School District. The group has since set a goal of raising the graduation rate from 72 percent to 90 percent by 2018.

"Clearly the investment of our time and resources in the area of improving the graduation rate is the most significant work we have done," said executive director Nancy Jernigan.

A total of $277,325 was distributed to educational programs in 2009 to help children learn the basic skills needed to start school, improve student reading levels and teach students leadership skills, according to the impact report. A portion of those funds also went toward parent education training.

"The economic impact of this work is significant," Jernigan said.

According to the report, for every dollar invested in quality early child care the community saves $17 in future social services.

"We are particularly proud of the work being done with our youth most in need through our partnerships with the schools and our funded partners who are providing resources to help with quality after-school programs, mentoring, and by providing for individual needs of students and their families," Jernigan said.

Education programs funded in 2009 were Success By 6, Community Caring Council, 4-H, Boys & Girls Club, Cape Area Family Resource Center, Salvation Army, THRIVE, New Vision Counseling, Boy and Girl Scouts, Teen Challenge of Mid-America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, LIFE Collaborative (Leading and Inspiring Families to Excel) and River Corridor Connections.

In addition to funding education programs, the United Way allocated $205,967 last year to programs that help increase the financial stability of area families. These programs helped to increase awareness of existing social services, meet the basic needs of families for food, clothing and shelter, and offered financial counseling services.

One in four Cape Girardeau County residents are not financially self-sufficient and more than 3,800 children in Cape Girardeau County live in poverty, according to the report.

Organizations receiving funding to assist families with financial stability and basic needs were First Call for Help, Safe House for Women, Community Caring Council, Jackson and Scott City Ministerial Alliances, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Empty Bowls, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Saint Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 4-Sight Counseling, Love INC (Love in The Name of Christ) and public schools in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, Scott County and Bollinger County.

The United Way's final focus area, community health, received $127,219 in funding during 2009 for programs that helped prevent abuse and neglect and help the elderly continue living independently.

In Cape Girardeau County, 60 percent of children have witnessed or are victims of abuse, according to the report. Nearly one-third of Cape Girardeau County seniors live alone, and one in 10 live in poverty, the report says.

Programs that promote community health receiving funding were APPLE Paperwork Project; Hoover Eldercare Center; senior centers in Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City; Lutheran Family and Children's Services; Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship; Salvation Army; CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); and the Safe House for Women.

The United Way also allocated $52,884 in 2009 for volunteer and disaster relief programs to Cape Area Family Resource Center, Volunteer Intergenerational Center and Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the American Red Cross.

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