(Canton, OH) August 29, 2019 – Over the next year, United Way of Greater Stark County will evaluate its current Bold Goals 2020 to ensure that the organization is making the greatest impact in Stark County. Community conversations will be organized to gain insight from the community at all levels as United Way plans its future funding strategies. As a result, United Way of Greater Stark County will extend current program funding for an additional 15 months, beginning April 1, 2020. The funding extension is contingent on program performance and annual campaign revenue. Due to the extension there will not be a funding application process this year. Letters of intent and applications will be available in fall of 2020 for interested applicants.
As United Way evolves to meet the needs of its community, the organization is also preparing to launch the second phase of its financial prosperity platform with Prosperity@work. This innovative new program will better meet the needs of the community’s working families by connecting employees to resources and ultimately strengthening our workforce for Stark County employers. Beginning in 2017, United Way of Greater Stark County launched its first financial prosperity platform with the Economic Mobility Center, formerly Financial Prosperity Center, in partnership with OhioMeansJobs. The Center has provided wrap-around financial stability services for Stark County residents looking to build long-term, economic independence through various services such as budget coaching, financial literacy classes, car repair program, etc. United Way’s vision is to offer financial prosperity services not only in workplaces, but also in neighborhoods and communities throughout Stark County to ensure that residents are able to connect to services with ease. The Financial Stability Impact Council as it exists today will become a community collaborative model, meaning they will be identifying programs that align with its intended prosperity services to join as a partner. This partnership will include some currently funded programs as well as new partners.
In addition, currently funded programs that provide basic needs, such as shelter or emergency assistance, will now move to a new streamlined reporting process. A select number of programs that don’t align with the financial prosperity platform and are not basic needs may be moved into one of the other impact councils. For a limited number of programs that do not fall into the above categories, funding will end March 30, 2020. United Way leadership has met with those agencies to share this information and discuss next steps.
Stark County is on a new path of growth and prosperity, and United Way of Greater Stark County is committed to helping more of its community’s families make their way down that path. The changes United Way is making are the result of past and current efforts, research and community feedback.
Any questions on this program can be directed to Angela Perisic, United Way of Greater Stark County’s Executive Vice President of Resource Development and Community Impact: 330-491-9952, [email protected]
About United Way of
Greater Stark County
United
Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability
of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging
unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing
the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against
their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives
by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In
order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United
Way of Greater Stark County visit
www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market
Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.