United Way of San Benito County will present the first checks to grant recipients of its 2017-18 allocations Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Fisher’s Restaurant in Hollister. It will be celebrate the allocations going to local nonprofits and organizations in the areas of youth, families and health. United Way of San Benito County strives to recruit both individuals and organizations “who bring passion, expertise and resources needed to create lasting chance.” It supports nonprofit health and human services organizations that work for children at risk, isolated seniors, families in need and individuals faced with mental and physical illness.  

According to the United Way of San Benito County website, partners are chosen because of the work they do toward UW goals.

The site states the areas of interest as:

  • Our youth will succeed in school and in life.
  • Our families will be financially stable and independent.
  • Our residents will achieve good health.

Volunteers work together then break down into three groups to better approach the specific areas of interest. In an online interview, Vicki Fortino, San Benito coordinator for United Way told BenitoLink, “The committee, in their groups, each read over proposals, discuss, recommend to fund or not. The committees all convene together to share their recommendations and hash out how much should be allocated to each nonprofit. There is usually quite lively conversation and sometimes can take several meetings. The funds are based on the employee giving campaigns and gala fundraiser proceeds.”

United Way has been working with local businesses and large organizations to develop their own United Way donor programs.

“This year, we are very proud to say that we were able to increase by $20,000 largely because of the sizeable growth in Teknova’s campaign, and first-ever Hazel Hawkins Hospital campaign,” Fortino said. “This brought in a total of $80,000 that will be distributed, each year for the next three years. The Allocations Committee will meet yearly during this time to review the programs, interview and visit programs to measure outcomes and choose to refund.”

 The follow organizations will be announced for 2017-18 allocations:

YOUTH SUCCESS

  • Boy Scouts of America
  • CASA of San Benito County
  • CMAP-TV
  • Friends of the SBC Free Library
  • Girls, Inc.
  • Junior Achievement of Northern California, Inc.
  • San Benito County Arts Council
  • SBC Office of Education
  • YMCA of San Benito County

FAMILY FINANCIAL STABILITY

  • BenitoLink.com
  • Catholic Charities
  • Diocese of Monterey
  • Emmaus House
  • Hope Services
  • Jovenes de Antano
  • Salvation Army
  • Seniors Council
  • Small Steps

GOOD HEALTH

  • Advocacy, Inc.
  • Ag Against Hunger
  • Chamberlain’s Children Center
  • Community FoodBank of San Benito
  • Partnership for Children
  • Suicide Prevention Services
  • Family Service Agency of the Central Coast
  • Sun Street Center