Over $10K Coming To Edmonson County Programs From United Way

Over $10,900 In Investments Related To Education, Income, Health, And Safety Net Programs In County

Edmonson Voice Report:
United Way of Southern Kentucky announced today that it is investing a total of $10,920 in Education, Health, Income and Safety Net programs and services in Edmonson County. Five local programs provided through two service providers will receive the allocated campaign dollars and donor designations. These investments start July 1, 2023 and will continue through June 30, 2024. In total, $1,036,955 will be invested across the 10-county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD).

To receive funding from United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK), programs had to align with the four areas deemed most important by a community research project conducted by United Way that began in 2012 and included nearly 5,000 surveys, 55 Community Conversations, and large amounts of secondary data. The four broad areas of most concern were defined by the community as: Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net. Programs were also evaluated on the following IMPACT criteria: Innovative, Measured, Partnered/Collaborative, Accountable, Community-centered, and Transformative.

"This includes an emphasis on programs that provide services within a best practices framework, that are collaborative and integrated into the fabric of other community education, income, health and safety net efforts, that consider the goals, needs and aspirations of the communities they serve, and that are innovative," said UWSK in a released statement.

Allocation dollars were determined based on the work of 92 volunteers working specifically in their home counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren. In total, these volunteers invested 1,278 hours in the process which began with training sessions for all volunteers. This time generated an impact of $40,640 in service to our community (based on National Rate of Volunteer Time: $31.80 per hour). Volunteers reviewed programs, finances, governance, and outcomes to develop the recommendations for program investments.

In Edmonson County, $10,920 was allocated by volunteers led by Edmonson County Chair, Craig Browning, as follows:

EDUCATION: $7,170
Kindergarten Readiness:
Edmonson County FRC, Camp Kindergarten: $7,170

HEALTH: $3,000
Access to Affordable Health Care:
Kentucky Legal Aid, Barren River Long Term Care Ombudsman: $1,500
Kentucky Legal Aid, Benefits Counseling: $500
Safe Home & Community:
Kentucky Legal Aid, Emergency Shelter & Crisis Aid to Protect & Empower (ESCAPE): $1,000

SAFETY NET: $750
Access to Basic Needs:
Kentucky Legal Aid, Emergency Legal Assistance: $750

“The impact of the past few years with COVID and the tornado has dramatically increased the need for services”, said Debbie Hills, President & CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky. “Our investments in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Safety Net that support local nonprofit programs assisting with so many key issues throughout the BRADD are more critical than ever. We are honored to partner with the nonprofits who are working to address both existing and ever-changing challenges. It is the support of local business, organizations, and individuals which enables this funding, which will impact thousands of lives, and we are so grateful for it.”

If you would like to volunteer to participate in the United Way of Southern Kentucky Allocation Process, please visit www.uwsk.org or call 270-843-3205 to learn more.