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Bourbon County United Way benefits 18 area agencies
FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A number of local agencies that provide aid for area residents can only do so because of assistance provided to them through the local chapter of a well-known national organization.
Bourbon County plays host to 18 different community service agencies, which rely partially on funds provided by the Bourbon County United Way. The United Way is responsible for creating lasting changes not just nationally, but in local communities as well, according to information found on the organization's Web site.
"United Way is a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people's lives. Building on more than a century of service as the nation's preeminent community-based fundraiser, United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement. While local United Ways tackle issues based on local needs, common focus areas include helping children and youth succeed, improving access to health care, promoting self-sufficiency, and strengthening families," the Web site said.
According to Bourbon County Chapter of the United Way Executive Director Whendi Martin, this year's local United Way fund campaign has had positive results. As of Wednesday, the campaign had raised more than $80,000 equaling a little more than 80 percent of the campaign's goal. Martin said that she is exited to have reached this portion of the goal, and is positive that the remainder of the goal will be met shortly.
Martin said the United Way sets its campaign goal based upon the needs of the local agencies sponsored by the organization. She said that the individual agencies create yearly budgets, which show their individual needs and how much money it will take to fund their needs. The United Way board meets with members of each agency to discuss their funding needs. Based on the overall information provided to the United Way, the board calculates the campaign goal.
The 18 agencies partially funded by the Bourbon County Chapter of the United Way address a wide array of local needs.
* Bourbon County Senior Citizens, 26 N. Main St., delivers meals to the elderly and the handicapped, provides transportation for elderly and handicapped, hosts social activities at the center, and coordinates the Federal Government commodities program on the fourth Thursday of every month.
* Tri-Valley Developmen-tal Services, 4305 Campbell Drive, is committed to the idea that people with developmental challenges have the right to be active within their community. The company provides opportunities for persons with disabilities and meets the individual needs of those persons. Some of the needs may include helping clients obtain housing, helping the clients live independently, and providing the clients with job training.
* The Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 116 S. Main, provides the community with disaster preparedness and emergency relief, blood collection services, safety education, water safety classes, babysitting classes, support and assistance to military families and veterans, utility assistance and AIDS information.
* The Southeast Kansas Respite Services, 2601 Gabriel St., Parsons, Kan., offers respite care for the elderly, handicapped, chronically ill and those with special needs.
* The Bourbon County 4-H Fair provides training in leadership, community service, community involvement and life skills for the youth in the county.
* The Salvation Army offers emergency assistance, food baskets, school supplies, vision care and camps for youth.
* Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, provides the community with a summer baseball league, swimming programs, aerobic and fitness classes, tumbling and gymnastics, an exercise equipment room, meeting rooms, basketball courts, a basketball league, a volleyball league, community noon meals, dancing and entertainment.
* Kansas Legal Services provides free legal assistance to victims of domestic abuse or violence, free legal assistance to low income individuals and older Americans, referral services, custody and visitation rights, adoptions and Chapter 7 bankruptcies.
* The Crisis Resource Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc., Pittsburg, serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, provides advocacy, offers counseling, hosts support groups, provides shelter, food and clothing, has trained volunteers and provides victims with 24-hour crisis services.
* The Resource Center for Independent Living, 710 W. 8th, Inc., is an organization committed to working with individuals and communities to promote independent living and individual choices to persons with disabilities.
* The Boy Scouts Ozark Trails Council provides comprehensive youth development through programs of character building citizenship training, physical fitness and community service. This organization encourages family relationships.
* The Hospitality Fund, which is sponsored by the local Ministerial Alliance, provides emergency assistance to travelers in need. This assistance may include meals, shelter, car repair or gasoline.
* The Keyhole Youth Center, 1002 S. Main St., offers activities for local youth, host students as risk meetings, conducts youth lock-ins, hots Key Club meetings, has meeting rooms for youth and is a social place for local youth.
* Mother to Mother Ministry, 1602 E. First St., helps women build friendships across economical and racial barriers, helps build self-esteem, provides goal setting, teaches parenting skills, and encourages communicating and sharing.
* Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2 1/2 N. Main St., matches at-risk boys and girls with carefully screened adults and helps youth achieve their full potential. It offers school based mentoring, community based mentoring and mentoring of children of incarcerated parents.
* Two FEMA grants are also awarded through the Bourbon County United Way program. Grant funds are provided to Mother to Mother Ministries for formula and utilities help.
* In addition, another grant is provided to The Beacon, Inc. for food and rent assistance.
In a written statement, the Bourbon County Chapter of the United Way explained the importance of the United Way fund and the people who contribute to it.
"This year thousands of people will benefit from our United Way and its funded agencies," the statement said. "That's not just a number. It's people helping people. And that's something that touches us all. Thank you for giving form your heart."
For more information about the United Way or to contribute, contact Martin at (620) 223-0980.