UNITED WAY GIVES AGENCIES GRANTS TO HELP NEW PROGRAMS

The Area Wide United Way added a new program this spring that will help it do what it does best: make funding available for programs in the community to help those in need.

The agency recently awarded more than $19,000 to 10 different agencies in Cape Girardeau and Marble Hill as part of the One-Time Grant Program. Funding for this program became available after the United Way surpassed its 1996 campaign goal of $525,000.

Nancy Jernigan, United Way executive director, said the organization's board of directors developed the grant program because it wanted to provide additional help to new programs that might not receive resources as a United Way agency.

"We set aside approximately $10,000 of 1996 campaign funds to establish a process for accepting and reviewing one-time grants in smaller increments, and with the overwhelming success of the 1996 campaign an additional $9,000 was available to fund this program," Jernigan said. "The board wanted to reach beyond its family of agencies to provide funds to other organizations in the community who have significant programs that need a bit of seed money to get them started."

Jernigan said 10 of the 23 area agencies that submitted proposals for grants received funding this year. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 this year. Programs receiving funding varied greatly as well, ranging from a supervised youth activities program in Marble Hill to funding start-up expenses for the Southeast Missouri Crime Stoppers.

Following is a list of the programs funded through the One-Way Grant Program this year. This grant will be offered every year.

APPLE -- $2,500

-- Created educational programs for senior adults dealing with such issues as consumer fraud, Medicare, etc.

Bollinger County Caring Council -- $2,390

-- Developed supervised youth activities program in Marble Hill.

Cape Civic Center -- $1,000

-- Established an after-school study pilot program.

Cape Girardeau Police Department -- $2,200

-- Established "Chief's Club" at Schultz Elementary School.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools -- $1,300

-- Funded special health-related needs of children.

Caring Communities -- $1,300

-- Funded "Sponsoring Program" to remove financial barriers to children wanting to participate in activities.

Family Counseling Center -- $1,300

-- Supported substance abuse program for youth.

Junior Optimist Club -- $1,300

-- Supported programs to build self-esteem and develop positive values in at-risk youth.

May Greene Elementary School -- $2,391

-- Purchased reading materials for kindergarten classes.

SE Missouri Crime Stoppers -- $2,500

-- Funded start-up expenses for program.

Women in Need -- $1,300

-- Provided emergency assistance to women enrolled in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.