Charitable giving has been an integral part of American life for many years, with private citizens and companies donating money to people in their communities. While those communities may have changed over time, United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley remains the region’s leader in community assistance.
It’s this sense of community that drives not only the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, but our donors, too. Everybody who gives knows that their donation stays in the community, and goes to programs designed to make the greatest impact. This sense of community, and of helping each other, is the heart of why charitable giving is so important.
What is the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley?
The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley is a local fundraising organization that collects money from generous donors and distributes it to the local community via a growing list of charity agencies. The funds donated to us are all given to local charities that serve local people. By giving to the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, you’re giving to your fellow community members.
Rather than simply distribute money like other charities, we create programs within the member organizations that address specific needs. Here are some examples:
Some of Our Funded Programs
Catholic Charities West Virginia
Programs we fund and implement for Catholic Charities West Virginia include Emergency assistance (addressing immediate financial support on short notice), case management (helping families address both their immediate and future wellbeing), and Hospitality House programs.
A Catholic Charities West Virginia Success Story
A member of the community, a single father, was unexpectedly laid off. He reached out to Catholic Charities West Virginia, feeling overwhelmed and even embarrassed to be utilizing the help of a social service organization. The Catholic Charities Case Manager reassured him that they completely understood and were there to help. They invited him in for an initial appointment to learn about services and he decided to enroll in Case Management. He was then guided through the process of enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helped to pay off some of the bills that were mounting and assisted with his job search and building a resume while working with a local temp agency. Read more.
Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council
Girl Scouts is a name recognized the world over as the world’s organization dedicated solely to girls – all girls, everywhere. Girl Scouts is the place where girls can discover themselves and the world, connect with others with community involvement and take action to make their world a better place.
Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council serves more than 20,000 girls in 59 counties in West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland.
A Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council Success Story
Upon helping with programming in one of the Service Units (communities) in one of the Girl Scouts regions, a mother approached a member of the staff to share how the Girl Scout program was able to help her daughter gain self-esteem. She said without the financial assistance that her daughter received she would not have been able to bond with other girls, learn social skills, learn good values, and contribute to her community. Read more.
Russell Nesbitt Services Inc.
Russell Nesbitt Services works to enable adults with mental and developmental disabilities to become integrated with their community. The main services provided are case management (linkage/referral to community resources), functional living skills and pre-vocational training, and group homes.
A Russell Nesbitt Services Inc. Success Story
A patient in need found himself requiring transportation to receive life-saving treatment out of state. Because of United Way funding, these trips were made possible despite the financial limitations of the client as well as the inability of Medicaid’s Title XIX Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver to pay for services over thirty miles outside of the state border. Read more.
These are just three examples of charitable giving and the positive results the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley has been able to make. As always, please consider giving–either to one of our local charitable funds or a fund in your community.