This Fall United Good Neighbors invites you to “Rise to the Challenge” to support the good works of our nonprofit partners. Thanks to the generous support of our donor community, UGN has been able to increase the financial support of programs that keep people housed, nourish and support our children and elders, and provide access to the services members of our community need to get back on their feet.
Because of you, the YMCA is rising to the challenge to nourish our children:
Chimacum youth engage in an enrichment activity provided by the Boeing Blue Bills at the YMCA Summer Meals and Activity program
With the support of UGN funding, the Jefferson County YMCA provided thousands of meals and snacks to hundreds of children Countywide. “Our Summer Meals and Activities program meets basic nutrition needs and helps prevent ‘summer slide’, the loss of learning over summer months that is often more significant for low income and food insecure children” says Erica Delma, Director of Community Engagement for the YMCA, “Without our Summer Meals program, children can fall behind, setting the stage for long term struggle and underachievement” says Delma. 97% of the children who participated in the YMCA Summer Meals and Activities program maintained or improved their literacy level. In addition to funding support, community volunteers have been central to the success of the YMCA Meals program! The Boeing Blue Bills, local service clubs, church groups and neighborhoods have stepped up to adopt a week or more of the program, helping with meal preparation and distribution or participating directly in the classroom providing enrichment and literacy activities.
Jumping Mouse therapists tap the child’s natural way of communicating: using play, art, imagination and movement to process emotional hurts and build resilience for the future
Because of you, Jumping Mouse is rising to the challenge to help our children heal.
At Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, funding from United Good Neighbors supports the work of qualified therapists who provide expressive mental health therapy to local children. Jumping Mouse therapist tap the child’s natural way of communicating: using play, art, imagination and movement to process emotional hurts and build resilience for the future. Jumping Mouse’s Master-level Internship Program fills a regional need for training in children’s therapy and enables the nonprofit organization to serve 20% more children from throughout east Jefferson County. “Our internship program brings compassionate, dedicated therapists to Jumping Mouse, who expand our capacity and provide direct care to families”, says Kris Becker, Jumping Mouse Executive Director. “Children affected by grief, divorce, learning differences, or trauma such as neglect and abuse deserve access to quality mental health services, and UGN makes sure these services exist,” says Becker.
Homeowner Mary Ann Harrison enjoys her news steps, thanks to the good work of Habitat’s UGN Funded Quilcene Revitalization home repair program, the Boeing Blue Bills and REPAH
Because of you, Habitat for Humanity is rising to the challenge to keep individuals and families in their homes:
Homeowner Mary Ann Harrison recently benefitted when three local organizations came together to help repair her home. Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County worked with the Boeing Bluebills and the local REPAH (Real Estate Professionals for Affordable Housing) to repair Harrison’s gutters, fascia, steps and deck; replace an outdoor safety light; and provide yard clean-up. “Mary Ann’s project is the perfect example of why Habitat decided to bring the Neighborhood Revitalization home repair program to the community of Quilcene almost four years ago,” said Jamie Maciejewski, Habitat’s executive director. “We know there are many homeowners like Mary Ann who could benefit from repairs and live safer, drier and warmer.” Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization home repair program in Quilcene is supported by UGN funds.
United Good Neighbors invites the community to “Rise to the Challenge” this fall and help UGN raise $375,000 in 2015 to support the good works of our partner organizations! Look for the 2015 Fall Fund Drive brochure in the mail, or donate online. You can also phone in your contribution to 360-385-3797.
Read this article in the 11/25/2015 Good Works section of the Port Townsend Leader: Good Works