Font ResizeBRATTLEBORO -- In January, Brattleboro's Morningside House started a program that houses homeless youth among their peers in a four-bedroom apartment.
A new $20,000 grant from United Way of Windham County will help ensure that the successful program continues.
"It's huge," said Josh Davis, the shelter's interim director. "We see this project as a community initiative that's addressing a community need."
The Morningside grant was one of 24 announced by the United Way for 16 organizations that serve more than 10,000 people in Windham County, administrators said.
All told, the United Way is giving $287,672.
"The total is more than we invested in the past, and it does represent a change in our investment strategy," said Sue Graff, the United Way's community investment director.
United Way administrators say they're adhering to a "community impact" model that sends funding where it's needed most. They've identified community goals - education, income and health - through a previous assessment of the area, Graff said.
"We want to invest in successful, high-quality programs," she said.
The United Way relies on volunteers to evaluate grant applications. Graff said the evaluation "values innovation, collaboration and a commitment to tracking and showing results for program participants."
The latter criteria is important, as the United Way is redistributing donations from the community.
"We have a
As a result, the United Way is handing out 24 grants for fiscal year 2013:
- AIDS Project of Southern Vermont - Food Program: $6,650.
- Brattleboro Area Drop In Center Inc. - Projects to Assist In Transition from Homelessness: $17,500.
- Brattleboro Area Hospice - Bereavement Program: $4,200.
- Brattleboro Area Hospice - Hospice Care Program: $8,974.
- Health Care and Rehabilitation Services - Community Connections: $15,000.
- Meeting Waters YMCA - Youth Development: $8,000.
- Morningside Shelter - Homeless Youth Housing and Support Initiative: $20,000.
- Our Place Drop-In Center - Healthy Community Meals and Groceries: $10,800.
- Parks Place Community Resource Center - Providing Comprehensive Mental Health Services: $17,500.
- Prevent Child Abuse Vermont - Nurturing Parenting Program: $14,400.
- Southeastern Vermont Community Action - Emergency Home Repair: $13,440.
- Southeastern Vermont Community Action - Housing Stabilization Program: $8,960.
- Southeastern Vermont Community Action - Working Bridges: $13,440.
- The Center for Health and Learning - Youth Suicide Prevention in Windham County: $9,746.
- The Gathering Place: $6,524.
- Windham & Windsor Housing Trust - Foreclosure Prevention Program: $20,000.
- Windham & Windsor Housing Trust - Rental Housing Management Program: $20,000.
- Windham Child Care Association - Bookmobile: $10,080.
- Windham Child Care Association - Early Educator Mentoring Program: $9,260.
- Windham Child Care Association - Professional Development Calendar: $7,488.
- Windham College - WSESU Social Competency Curriculum: $10,000.
- Youth Services Inc. - Big Brothers Big Sisters/Unlimited Opportunities: $8,292.
- Youth Services Inc. - Greater Falls Case Management: $14,730.
- Youth Services Inc. - RAMP (Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program): $12,688.
Mike Faher can be reached at mfaher@reformer.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 275.
