The income and safety council of the United Way of the Ozarks yesterday recommended the organization's board of directors approve program funding up to $940,000 to support neighborhood and community projects.
The program funding for calendar years 2014-15 would aid the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross, Harmony House and The Victim Center, according to a news release.
“These agencies work hard to lessen and, in some cases, eliminate the psychological strain caused to a victim of a disaster, violent crime or a youth that is estranged from family," said Cindy Norman, co-chairwoman of the income and safety council and an auditor with American National Property And Casualty Co., in the release. "This process connects all the dots - what the issues are, how our partner agencies are working to solve these issues and how, through the United Way’s community building efforts, our partner agencies can continue to provide assistance to the ever-growing number of people in our communities that need the help.”
The bulk of the funding, $490,000, would go toward American Red Cross disaster relief services, specifically for the acquisition of resources easily deployable in emergency cases. The program would serve more than 96,000 individuals annually, the release said.
The United Way committee recommended Harmony House receive $147,140 to provide short-term emergency shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence. The funding also would provide education, support, referral and advocacy services, as well as the ability to distribute educational information. Roughly 7,000 individuals would benefit annually from the program, according to the release.
A total of $282,990 is recommended to fund three programs provided by The Victim Center. The programs are:
- Children services, $137,000 to reduce or eliminate long-term psychological damage to neglected and physically and/or sexually abused children and family members through crisis intervention, counseling, therapy, criminal justice support and advocacy - serving 1,040 individuals annually;
- Adult services, $126,690 to provide 24-hour crisis intervention services for crime victims, serving more than 1,415 individuals annually; and
- Prevention education, $19,300 to help 16,000 individuals annually by taking steps to avoid victimization and promoting awareness of these types of crimes in southwest Missouri.
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