Tag Archives: Heart of West Michigan United Way

Local United Way and county non-profit COVID-19 grants on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, WKTV Journal In Focus, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Late last month, Kent County allocated $9.5 million in federal CARES Act dollars to create the Kent County Non-Profit Organization COVID-19 Grant Fund. The group chosen to administer the grant applications and awards is, appropriately, the Heart of West Michigan United Way.

 

Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Shannon Blackmon-Gardner, vice president of community impact. (HWMUW/Adam Bird)

On the latest WKTV Journal In Focus, we talk with a Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Shannon Blackmon-Gardner, vice president of community impact, about the fund, how they were selected to administer the grant process, some of the qualifications and application process — and most importantly, why the grant fund is important to non-profits and to the community.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Kent County, local United Way announce non-profit COVID-19 grant process

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Non-Profits, Our Cities, ,
The Heart of West Michigan United Way offices in Grand Rapids. (HWMUW)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Heart of West Michigan United Way and Kent County this week announced a county grant fund to support local nonprofit organizations providing certain relief services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Late last month, the Kent County Board of Commissioners allocated $9.5 million in federal CARES Act dollars to create the Kent County Non-Profit Organization COVID-19 Grant Fund.

Applicants must be a local 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) nonprofit health and human service organization located within Kent County and “serving individuals and communities within Kent County that have been directly affected by COVID-19 and continuing to provide services throughout the pandemic,” according to a July 14 statement.

 

According to the statement, grant requests ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $150,000 are being solicited from nonprofits seeking funding for provision of COVID-related services. Nonprofits can apply for amounts within this range deemed “appropriate to CARES Act expenses.”

Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to, the following COVID-19-related expenses, according to the statement:

 

Expenses for food security, food access, and/or food delivery


Expenses for personal basic needs such as personal hygiene products, diapers, etc.


Expenses to cover transportation needs


Expenses for services specifically targeting at-risk youth


Expenses for academic and/or mentoring services to facilitate distance learning

among school-aged children/youth, including technological improvements


Expenses to cover physical health care access and services.

 
Applications will be accepted until the funds available are allocated or until Oct. 1, whichever occurs first.

For complete details and a link to the application, visit Heart of West Michigan’s website at hwmuw.org/kent-county-covid-19-grant-fund.

Senior Living: Thanks and Giving: Volunteer opportunities for older adults

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Senior Living, , , , , , , ,

11219609266_eefc176691_b

By Amanda Haberlein

Public Relations/Communications Coordinator

Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

This time of year many may reflect on what they have to be thankful for and for some, this includes a desire to volunteer their time to help others. While older adults are able and welcome to volunteer anywhere, some find it more appealing to volunteer with organizations that cater specifically to older adults. The following agencies either utilize senior volunteers throughout the community or use volunteers to serve older adults specifically.

 

Friendly Visitor Program – This program pairs volunteers with older adults who feel extremely isolated, lonely or are homebound. Volunteers make weekly social visits with the goal of providing companionship and helping seniors remain mentally and physically active and connected to their community. The Friendly Visitor program accepts volunteers of all ages who want to make a positive impact on the life of a senior. They are partnered with an older adult for flexible one hour weekly visits and are encouraged to commit to at least one year with the program, although many build lasting relationships

 

To find out more, contact Spectrum Health Visiting Nurse Association Volunteer Services at 616-486-3956.

 

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) – This organization pairs older adult volunteers with non-profit agencies within Kent County.  Senior volunteers can work in a number of ways including transporting older adults to medical appointments, providing other older adults with companionship, serving in food pantries and tutoring early elementary grade students to increase literacy, and much more. RSVP staff can help volunteers identifying opportunities within these focus areas that best match with their interests and/or skills.

 

For more information, contact Senior Neighbors’ RSVP program at 616-459-9509

 

congregate_20meal_20high_20res-2Senior Companion Program –The program trains and provides a stipend for low-income seniors to care for older adults who are homebound, frail or who have mental and/or physical disabilities. Volunteers may come to the home to provide companionship for the senior, a break for a family caregiver, or companionship and support at a congregate meal site where seniors eat together. These visits often help older adults overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation some older adults experience.

 

For more information on this program, contact Senior Neighbors at 616-459-6019.

 

Meal Drivers and Packers – Meals on Wheels Western Michigan is always looking for volunteers to either help package or deliver home delivered meals. Volunteers can be any age and ability who are interested in helping provide nutritious meals to homebound seniors.

 

For more information on this program, contact Meals on Wheels West Michigan at 616-459-3111.

 

Still want to volunteer, but none of the above opportunities seem like a good fit for you? Check out Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Volunteer Center for opportunities organized by topic, location and keywords. For more information, visit http://connect.hwmuw.org/

 

For more details on Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan or services specific to older adults, visit www.aaawm.org or call at 616-456-5664.