United Way of Whitewater Valley’s board has announced successful applicants for the 2025-2026 grant cycle, focused on creating youth opportunity, healthy community and financial stability in Wayne and Union counties.
A total of $75,000 was awarded to 23 community partners.
These grants complement other United Way investments in mental health this year.
One $50,000 contribution went to Centerstone’s new Stride Center that serves as an alternative to emergency rooms and jails.
United Way also provided trauma-informed training valued at $27,500 through the Trust-Based Relational Intervention program to meet the complex needs of kids who’ve experienced adversity.
In addition, support also went to United Way’s More Than Words program, which aims to give kids and families a monthly word that provides a vision for living and working.
A recent word was “initiative,” defined as “seeing what needs to be done and doing it.”
Youth
United Way and its community partners support early learning opportunities with parents as well as school, after school and summer programs.
It distributed $25,000 for childhood success and $21,850 for youth success.
Recipients included Brighter Path Inc., Birth to Five, Every Child Can Read, Communities in Schools, Richmond Parks Department, Girls Inc. of Wayne County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County, Amigos Latino Center, Junior Achievement, Natco Community Empowerment Center, Oak Park Early Learning Academy, Richmond Family YMCA and Community Care.
Health
Some of the projects receiving a total of $21,150 in funding include diapers, empowering kids to speak up when they are in danger, supporting those facing challenges associated with disabilities and substance use, and ensuring access to healthy food and outdoor recreation.
Grantees included Justice and Advocacy Center for Youth (JACY) House, Achieva Resources, Sunrise Inc., Bridges for Life, Gateway Hunger Relief, Union County Public Library, Junction of College Corner and Community Care of Union County.
These partners come together to weave a network of support that empowers community members at every stage of life, United Way staff say.
Their work builds upon United Way’s direct programs focused on mental well-being, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention education.
Financial security
Two grantees, Natco Community Empowerment Center and Open Arms Ministries, received a total of $7,000 for projects helping residents improve their economic mobility.
Connecting families with everyday support such as utility and transportation assistance helps them feel more stable and connect with work, United Way officials say.
These partners align with United Way’s focus on struggling families who might not qualify for public assistance, known as those who are “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.”
More information
United Way of Whitewater Valley focuses on improving the health, education and financial outcomes of struggling, working households through convening of cross-sectoral and multi-sectoral stakeholders, program support, information dissemination, public policy action, and grant-making.
For details on projects and programs funded at each United Way grantee, visit givetheunitedway.com/blog or call 765-962-2700.
A version of this article appeared in the July 9 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.