United Way of Kosciusko County recently invested $1,566,448 in 52 local programs which will help people improve their lives in our community. Additionally, at the request of the donor, $181,969 was sent to other United Ways for program support.

United Way Vision Councils assess programs in the focus areas of education, income and health. This system of review assures donors their gifts are being used effectively and efficiently in Kosciusko County. After the Vision Council process, the Community Impact Committee reviewed all of the proposals and made their final recommendations to the Board of Directors.  The United Way of Kosciusko Board of Directors approved the proposals on May 18, 2012.

Members of the United Way of Kosciusko Board of Directors participate on all three Vision Councils to review the requests in regard to program information such as results specific to their purpose, community issues being addressed, and program budgets holding each to the highest standard of accountability.

The Education Vision Council consisted of representatives from the three school corporations, (Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Wawasee) Grace College, Indiana Tech, Teacher’s Credit Union, Symmetry and a local attorney.This committee invested $441,000 in 12 education programs. These are:

After School Program (Baker Youth Club)
Kindergarten Readiness (Lakeland Learning Center)
Children’s Safe Environment (CASA)
Kindergarten Readiness (New Beginnings)
Community Based Mentoring (Big Brothers/ Big Sisters)
Kindergarten Readiness (North Webster Day Care)
Cub Scouts (Anthony Wayne Boy Scouts)
Lunch Buddies (Big Brothers/ Big Sisters)
Head Start (Cardinal Services)
Read to Grow (Kosciusko Literacy Services)
Homework Help (Tippecanoe Valley Schools)
Teens N Tots (Heartline Pregnancy)

The Income Vision Council was comprised of representatives from Maple Leaf Farms, Mutual and Tower Bank, Grace College, Bowen Center, Biomet, DePuy and retired community professionals.
This committee invested $622,368 in 20 economic self-sufficiency and family stabilization programs.

These are:
1-on-1 Tutors (Kosciusko Literacy Services)
Jail G.E.D. (Kosciusko Literacy Services)
Beaman Home (Shelter for Abuse)
Mobile Home Repair (Housing Opportunities)
Boy Scouts (Anthony Wayne Boy Scouts)
Moving Forward (Bowen Center)
Disaster Services (American Red Cross)
Owner Occupied Renovations (Housing Opp.)
Dropout Prevention Coaches (KC Educational Development)
Project Independence (Combined Community Services)

Emergency Home Repairs (Housing Opportunities)
Rental Assistance (Salvation Army)
Family Development (Community Action of NE. Indiana)
Stewardship Shelter (Fellowship Missions)
Food Pantry (Helping Hands)
Teen Services (Teen Parents Succeeding)
Hand Up (Combined Community Services)
Utility Assistance (Combined Community Services)
Home Energy Impact (Housing Opportunities)
Venturing (Anthony Wayne Boy Scouts)

The Health Vision Council contained representatives from the Kosciusko Sheriff’s Department, The Bowen Center, Kosciusko Community Hospital, the K21 Health Foundation, Maple Leaf Farms, Paragon Medical, CTB and a retired business professional. The committee invested $441,096 in 20 health programs.

These are:
Activity Center (Kos. Comm. Senior Services)
Homemaker Services (Kos. Comm. Senior Services)
Bed and Britches, Etc. (BABE) (Heartline Pregnancy)
Kids Club (YMCA)
Blood Services (American Red Cross)
Leadership Experience (Girl Scouts N. IN. Michiana)
Connecting Families Healthcare (N. IN. Hispanic Coalition)
Maternal & Child Wellness (Heartline Pregnancy)
Domestic Violence Education (DoVE) (Shelter for Abuse)
REAL Services (Kosciusko Homecare/Hospice)
Emergency/Weekend Meals (Kos. Comm. Senior Services)
Sports Program (Lakeland Youth Center)
Food Delivery Program (Food Bank of Northern IN)
Summer CATCH (YMCA)
Handicap Transportation (Kos. Comm. Senior Services)
Summer Program (Baker Youth Club)
Healthy Families (Cardinal Services)
Well Baby Checkups (Well Child Clinic)
Home Delivered Meals (Kos. Comm. Senior Services)
Women’s Halfway House (The Rose Home)

Initiatives funded by United Way in the amount of $115,742 are: 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service, the Day of Caring, Volunteer Kosciusko, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and public transportation.

The ultimate goal of United Way of Kosciusko County is to always create a positive community impact. The Vision Councils consider many factors when making difficult funding decisions.  These factors include, but are not limited to, new program funding requests, current challenges within the community and new issues facing the programs within each focus area   The United Way is pleased to inform the public of these program investments. The continued community support reflects the strong commitment in our county to LIVE UNITED.