WESTFIELD- The United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) is now requesting proposals for their Community Impact Grants to be given to local organizations, programs, and services. Many organizations serving the greater Westfield community have benefited from these grants in the past and are again hoping to receive them this year.
According to the UWPV, the purpose of the Community Impact Grant program is to support and sustain strong communities in Hampden County, South Hadley and Granby. Grants will be awarded for a period of three years from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016.
The two areas of focus for these proposals are education and health, in hopes to help young people graduate from high school with a 21st century education ready for success in college, career and life; and to reduce teen birth rates and increase the ability of youth to make healthy life choices.
The YMCA of Greater Westfield has received Community Impact Grants from UWPV in the past and according to Director of Program Operations at the YMCA Rosann Scalise, grants given have previously been used for the Y’s Kids Childcare and Preschool program. Scalise also added that “the United Way helps to fill our mission to never turn a child away who can’t pay”.
Along with the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield is hoping to apply for these grants. According to Director of Operations at the Boys and Girls Club Kellie Brown, the Club is e considering two programs in to direct any grant money received: “Diplomas 2 Degrees”, which helps students plan for post-secondary education, and “Reality Works”, which simulates the responsibilities of having a child, in hopes of preventing teen pregnancy.
Other organizations located in Westfield have benefited from other grants given out by the UWPV in the past. The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army both have previously received Basic Needs Grants.
“We are excited to again announce the availability of United Way dollars. All of these funds were raised locally and will stay local,” said Senior Vice President of Community Impact for the UWPV, Sylvia deHaas Phillips. “We know these funds will help meet the needs of our community and we encourage organizations to apply.”
“We know that it takes all of us working together to create change,” said President and CEO of UWPV, Dora D. Robinson. “And we know that the measure of our success is not ultimately in the fundraising campaign itself, but in the ways we are impacting our community.”
Interested applicants must register in advance to [email protected], and are encouraged to attend the next information session that will be held at the UWPV offices at 1441 Main Street, Suite 147, in Springfield on Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
