Mother sitting with small child in daycare room

United Way Awards $109K to Nonprofits Adapting to Emerging Needs

Grants Provide Resources for Education, Income and Health Support to Residents

Nearly a year into the pandemic, United Way Quad Cities awarded $109,538 to 11 local nonprofits helping to meet residents’ emerging and evolving needs related to their education, income and health.

The third distribution of United Way’s COVID-19 Rebuilding Fund grants provides resources for families to receive mental health support, women to find stable employment after a COVID-related layoff, and students and at-risk youth to receive remote learning support or mentoring. 

“In one way or another, this pandemic has impacted everyone — and even a year in, many Quad Citizens are struggling to meet their basic needs,” said Rene Gellerman, United Way Quad Cities president and CEO.

“The disruption to our education, income and health is felt deeply by our neighbors and children in ways that will have long-term effects on the Quad Cities. But, as demonstrated by our nonprofit partners, now is the time to get our community on the path to recovery.”

The 11 recipients include:

  • Alternatives: $9,000; successful transitions from hospital to home for older adults during COVID-19;
  • Argrow’s House: $10,000; mental health counselor;
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley: $5,000; direct expenses to adjust operations for mentoring program;
  • Clock, Inc.: $5,000; mental health support;
  • Davenport Community School District: $13,463; contact tracing efforts;
  • Dress for Success Quad Cities: $14,875; provide skills and resources for women impacted by COVID-19-related layoffs;
  • Family Resources Inc.: $15,000; increased shelter costs;
  • One Eighty: $6,465; in-person tutoring;
  • QC Haven of Hope: $5,735; increased shelter costs;
  • Quad Cities Community Broadcasting Group: $15,000; public service announcements for COVID relief awareness;
  • YouthHope: $10,000; remote learning support for at-risk youth.

“Nonprofit partners like the COVID-19 fund recipients, donors and volunteers alike, have shown tireless commitment to our community, and, together, help us build the interventions that give people stability and the opportunity for economic mobility, quality education and health care,” Gellerman said.

Funding recommendations were made by a volunteer review committee, based on organizations’ abilities to:

  • Provide essential needs like, food, shelter, hygiene items for our most vulnerable populations;
  • Get kids back on track for learning and succeeding in school and life;
  • Address the immediate economic impact for many workers – getting people back to work and financially stable;
  • Ensure the health and emotional wellness of our children and adults.

Navigating Pandemic-Related Challenges

Since July 2020, 41 grants have been distributed from the COVID-19 Rebuilding Fund, totaling $359,538.

Also, in response to the challenges of the past year, United Way Quad Cities has:

  • Launched the QC Tutor Connection for parents to pair up their students in K-12 with tutors offering various areas of expertise for in-person and remote services;
  • And opened its grant application process to include grassroots organizations and social entrepreneurs to better assist underserved communities, formally beginning with the United for Equity Fund

To support United Way’s COVID-19 relief efforts and community impact fund, donate here.
 

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