United Way Announces $414,280 in Additional COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Grants

​The United Way of Monroe County COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund announced Phase 5 grants totaling $414,280 to 24 human service organizations providing critical programs serving people in south-central Indiana. With support from the COVID-19 Fund, these organizations will continue to provide life-changing services to members of our community affected by the pandemic.
 
With the addition of the Phase 5 grants, the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has granted out $2.18 million to 47 human service organizations in Brown, Greene, Monroe, and Owen counties and regional community foundations to support priority needs during the pandemic.
 
Using the CDC’s Social Determinants of Health as a guide, Phase 5 grants encompass a wide range of programs and interventions beyond food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. Social determinants of health are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Learn about the CDC’s social determinants of health at www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants.

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During this round of funding grants could be used for operational support, health and human services infrastructure, and basic needs outreach.
 
The COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund was launched in March 2020 in response to the emerging needs that were brought forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the Fund has granted monies to groups and nonprofits serving families hardest hit by the pandemic with the top funding needs being food security, safe shelter and housing, childcare, and health and safety.
Phase 5 grant recipients include:
 

• American Red Cross Southeast Indiana Chapter, $10,000
• Amethyst House, $12,000
• Beacon, Inc, $35,000
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, $12,500
• Bloomington Refugee Support Network, $8,500
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, $25,000
• Cancer Support Community Central Indiana, $9,625
• Catholic Charities Bloomington, $22,784
• Community Justice & Mediation Center, $21,070
• Courage to Change Sober Living, $8,000
• El Centro Comunal Latino, $11,000
• HealthNet Bloomington Health Center, $16,202
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, $35,000
• Indiana Recovery Alliance, $14,000
• LIFEDesigns, $35,000
• Middle Way House, $10,667
• Monroe County United Ministries, $8,468
• Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, $9,625
• New Hope for Families, $35,000
• New Leaf - New Life, $8,679
• Pantry 279, $15,000
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, $12,000
• Stone Belt, $15,160
• Wheeler Mission, $24,000

 
Grant funds will support everything from hiring additional staff and mental health support to substance use disorder outreach and large-scale food purchases. To see how a full description of how funds will be used visit www.monroeunitedway.org/COVIDRelief-Impact.
 
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington received a $25,000 grant to increase access to safe, affordable after-school care. Courage to Change Sober Living will use their $8,000 grant to assist program graduates move into their own safe and affordable housing. Hoosier Hills Food Bank received $35,000 in funding to purchase food as food donations have dropped and the need has drastically increased.
 
Middle Way House plans to translate their shelter admittance forms into Spanish and convert an apartment in The Rise to be accessible for a deaf family with their $10,667 grant. $12,000 in grant funding will support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul vehicle repair solution to help people have a safe and functional vehicle to meet their essential needs. HealthNet Bloomington Health Center will use $16,202 in grant funding to hire a part-time Spanish interpreter, addressing a significant barrier to healthcare access and quality for the Latinx community.
 
"Phase 5 Funding from the United Way will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington to hire the appropriate number of staff in order to ramp up service to pre-COVID numbers,” commented Jeff Baldwin, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington Executive Director. “The Club will be able to pay a higher wage that will attract and retain these quality youth development workers. This will allow more kids who need a safe place to be after-school to have access to the Club's high-quality programs."
 
Nick Voyles, Indiana Recovery Alliance Executive Director, shared, “Thank you for continuing the support you have provided over the years. In these uncertain times, it is comforting to know that United Way is here and willing to help. This will help the community we live in get the services they deserve. It truly takes a village. The Indiana Recovery Alliance is proud to be a part of this village.”
 
“The Community Justice and Mediation Center is grateful for the United Way grant support for our Housing & Eviction Prevention Project (HEPP), especially as the eviction moratorium is ending. Access to safe, affordable housing constitute one of the most basic and powerful social determinants of health. The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing housing issues especially among low-income households who were more likely to fall behind on rental payments. It also put additional financial pressures on area landlords,” explained Liz Grenat, Community Justice & Mediation Center (CJAM) Executive Director. “This funding allows CJAM to help landlords and tenants negotiate agreements, work out payment plans, and address other housing disputes. Our goal is to reduce evictions, connect people to needed supports, and improve housing stability, leading to a stronger and healthier Monroe County.”
 
A committee of cross-sector community partners identified critical needs and resource gaps to guide decisions regarding the COVID-19 Fund. The granting committee includes representatives from the Bloomington Health Foundation, City of Bloomington, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Monroe County Government, Indiana University, and United Way of Monroe County.
 
“Our nonprofit community continues to rise to the relentless challenges caused by the pandemic. This funding is intended to strengthen our nonprofit partners’ capacity for the ongoing work, so that all of the critical services which keep our friends and neighbors safe and healthy remain available and accessible,” shared Efrat Feferman, Executive Director United Way of Monroe County.
 
Phase 5 of the fund received more than $918,475 in grant requests from 30 organizations.
 
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund supporters include BKD CPA’s and Advisors, Bloomington Elks #446, Bloomington Health Foundation, Bloomington Sunrise Rotary, Bloomington Township, Blueline, Boston Scientific, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, City of Bloomington, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Cook Medical, Duke Energy, Etch Clothing Co., First Financial Bank, First United Church, First United Methodist Church, Hoosier Energy, Indiana United Ways, IU Credit Union, IU Credit Union Volunteer Board of Directors, Ivy Tech Foundation, Kappa Kappa Kappa Alpha Chapter, Lilly Endowment, Inc., Monroe County Government, Old National Bank, Owen County State Bank, Perry Township, Private Individuals, Renaissance Rentals, Salesforce, Smithville Charitable Foundation, Susan Yeley Homes, Tim Ellis Realtors, Truist Foundation, United Way of Monroe County, United Way Worldwide, University Tees, and Van Buren Township.
 
Organizations serving Brown, Greene, or Owen counties should contact their respective community foundation for information on the application process to receive funds. Links can be found at www.monroeunitedway.org/COVIDRelief.
 
Local Resources
Individuals in need of services including food, shelter, childcare, financial assistance, and more are encouraged to search www.helpingbloomingtonmonroe.org or to call 2-1-1 to connect to the right help.
 
Community-wide resources and updates are centralized at www.chamberbloomington.org/recovery-resources by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in partnership with a cross-sector coalition of partners.