United Way’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the funding recommendations of the Community Investment Volunteer Teams. United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley announced it will award funding to 55 local programs through 27 agencies. 

Seven new programs will receive funding this year: Grace House and MCJ Education, programs of Chattahoochee Valley Jail Ministry; Family Support Program of Easter Seals; Community Outreach Program of Hope Harbour; Elevate of Teen Advisors; Community Center of Salvation Army; and Rental Assistance Program of St. Anne Community Outreach. 

“The community investment volunteers along with United Way Board of Directors strategically invested funds in programs that would have the most impact in our community,” Scott Ferguson, United Way president stated. “The community investment volunteers have worked hard to review programs and ensure donations are invested in programs that demonstrate need, stewardship and results.” 

Nine teams of 72 volunteers reviewed applications for funding during the six-week process. Volunteers reviewed written applications and attended site visits to see the programs in action, and meet board members, clients and staff. The majority of the Community Investment volunteers have participated in the past, while the rest have been involved with United Way in some way. 

Each program was reviewed in terms of how it met a community need, achieved results and exercised good stewardship. All programs are providing services within the four core areas of United Way – Basic Needs, Income, Health and Education. In addition, prior to the overall review, each application was reviewed by a separate group of financial review volunteers who have a strong experience in accounting and financial management. 

"I was very pleased with the outcome of this year's Community Investment process,” said Lesley Dudley, TSYS Team Member and Community Investment Board Member. “For me, the process is about knowing the needs are being met in our community, and that our contributions are invested responsibly. This process did just that. The volunteers each brought their own individual talents as bankers, educators, healthcare providers, and even personally as family members - to learn from the agencies and validate that the programs are delivering results. This collaborative process between the volunteers and the agencies can give us all a comfort level that the funding decisions were not taken lightly." 

“As a first year participant on a Community Investment team with the United Way, I was impressed with the process of evaluating and prioritizing the needs of the community to allocate the limited resources available,” said Ray Smith, Phenix City Chief of Police and Community Investment Board Member. “The experience has further motivated me to continue to advocate for and educate others about the incredible network of agencies and organizations that are supported by the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley.”

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley 

The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. The organization’s focus is on basic needs, income, health and education. United Way recruits people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. Your United Way serves residents of Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Stewart, Talbot and Taylor counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. 

Agencies and programs listed within the four core areas of service – basic needs, income education and health: 

Basic Needs 

American Red Cross, Russell County 

Emergency Services 

American Red Cross West Central GA 

Emergency Services 

Chattahoochee Valley Jail Ministry, Inc. 

Grace House 

SafeHouse 

Trinity House 

Feeding the Valley, Inc. 

Food Distribution 

Kid's Café 

Open Door Community House, Inc. 

Showering Program for the Homeless 

Virginia D. Jackson Home for Women 

Salvation Army 

Emergency Shelter/Meals Program 

Social Services Program 

St. Anne Community Outreach 

Rental Assistance Program 

Stewart Community Home, Inc. 

Stewart Community Home 

Income 

Chattahoochee Valley Jail Ministry, Inc. 

MCJ Education 

Family Center of Columbus, Inc. 

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West GA/East AL (CCCS) 

Homeless Resource Network 

Homeless Services 

Open Door Community House, Inc. 

Circles in Columbus 

Health 

American Red Cross, Russell County 

Community Services 

American Red Cross, West Central GA 

Community Services 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley 

Health & Fitness 

Crisis Center of Russell County 

Prevention Education 

Rape Crisis Response Center 

Shelter & Services for Victims of Domestic Violence 

Easter Seals West Georgia, Inc. 

Family Support Program 

Therapeutic Care and Education 

Family Center of Columbus, Inc. 

Family Counseling of Columbus 

Girls Incorporated of Columbus & Phenix-Russell 

Health 

Homeless Resource Network 

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) 

Hope Harbour 

Community Outreach Program 

Shelter & Services 

House of T.I.M.E. Inc. 

Homeless to a Home (HTH) 

House of T.I.M.E 

Russell County Child Advocacy Center, Inc. 

Child Advocacy Program 

KEEP (Kids Engaged in Education and Prevention) Program 

STARS (Specialized Treatment for Adolescents without Residential Services) Program 

Safe Kids Columbus 

Safe Kids On The Go 

Teens Empowerment Awareness with ResolutionS, Inc. (TEARS) 

TEARS Student Assistance Program (TSAP) 

Teen Advisors, Inc. 

Elevate 

Teen Advisors High School Program 

Velocity Middle School Program 

Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. 

Children's Tree House - Child Advocacy Center 

Chattahoochee Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) 

Education 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley 

Character & Leadership Development 

Education & Career Development 

Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America 

Scouting - Cub Scouting & Boy Scouting 

Columbus Community Center 

Youth Development 

Family Center of Columbus, Inc. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Chattahoochee Valley 

FAST (Families and Schools Together) 

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia 

Girl Scout Outdoor Program 

Leadership Development Experience 

Girls Incorporated of Columbus & Phenix-Russell 

Education 

Open Door Community House, Inc. 

Mathews Promise Academy 

Salvation Army 

Community Center 

YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus 

Rearing Children & Youth at Risk 

Student Success - Youth Sports & Aquatics