OVER $1 MILLION INVESTED BY UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY TO SUPPORT CRITICAL PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, INCOME, AND SAFETY NET ACROSS THE BARREN RIVER REGION
(June 24, 2025) – United Way of Southern Kentucky announced today that it is investing a total of $646,724 in Education, Health, Income, and Safety Net programs and services in Warren County. These investments start July 1, 2025, and will continue through June 30, 2026. In total, $1,101,461 will be invested across the 10-county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD), supporting 46 programs.
In September of 2024, organizations with programs impacting UWSK’s strategic imperatives in each of the defined Community Impact issue areas (Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net) were asked to submit a Letter of Intent indicating their desire to complete a full application request for funding. Across the 10-county BRADD, 71 total Letters of Intent were submitted.
In March 2025, Warren County specific programs who had the opportunity to complete the full application moved forward to a full review and visit with the Allocations Committee. With the full review by the Allocations Committee and recommendation to and approval by the UWSK Board of Directors complete, funding will now be awarded to the programs selected. In Warren County, 25 local programs provided through 14 service providers will receive the allocated campaign dollars and donor designations.
Allocation dollars were determined based on the work of 82 volunteers working specifically in their home counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren. In total, these volunteers invested 998 hours in the process which began with training sessions for all volunteers. This time generated an impact of $34,720 in service to our community (based on National Rate of Volunteer Time: $34.79 per hour). Volunteers reviewed programs, finances, governance, and outcomes to develop the recommendations for program investments.
In WARREN COUNTY, $646,724 will be allocated by volunteers, led by Warren County Allocations Committee Chair Tad Pardue.
EDUCATION: $356,894
Kindergarten Readiness: Led by Committee Chairs, Kenly Ames and Joe Tinius
Family Enrichment Center, Parents as Teachers Little Learners Program: $28,000
Family Enrichment, Wee Care Child Care Center: $50,000
The Foundry Christian Community Center, Preschool Academy: $57,000
Refuge BG, English Academy Preschool Program: $25,000
Warren County Public Schools, Kindergarten Readiness Summer Academy: $30,000
Warren County Public Schools, Little Learners Mobile Classroom: $38,000
College/Career Readiness: Led by Committee Chairs, Geoff Bosley and Erin Ballou
Junior Achievement of South Central KY, Preparing Our Youth: $15,000
Warren County Public Schools, College & Career Transition Readiness Program: $42,000
WROTE Foundation, Bridging the Gap After-School/Summer Enrichment Program: $51,894 + Provisional Allocations: $20,000
INCOME: $30,305
Workforce Development: Led by Committee Chairs, Mark Gardner and Jonathan Wysong
Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky, Scoops of Joy: $4,305
Refuge Bowling Green, English Academy: $12,500
SKYCTC Foundation, CDL Program: $10,000
SKYCTC Foundation, TRIO Student Support Services: $3,500
HEALTH: $150,000
Access to Affordable Health Care: Led by Committee Chairs, Lindsay Sanson and Brooke Schakat
Kentucky Legal Aid, Barren River Long Term Care Ombudsman: $35,000
Kentucky Legal Aid, Benefits Counseling: $35,000
Safe Home & Community: Led by Committee Chairs, Brenda Polley and Heath Holloman
BRASS, Emergency Shelter & Crisis to Protect & Empower (ESCAPE): $30,000
Bowling Green Independent Schools, Black Male Scholars Family Thrive Program: $20,000
Kentucky Legal Aid, Emergency Shelter & Crisis Aid to Protect & Empower (ESCAPE): $30,000
SAFETY NET: $109,525
Access to Basic Needs: Led by Committee Chairs, Tom Flynn and Angela Dossey
First Christian Church, Community Grocery Store: $25,000
Kentucky Legal Aid, Emergency Legal Assistance: $42,500
New Path Recovery Home: $6,720
Transportation: Led by Committee Chairs, Mark Gardner and Jonathan Wysong
ADEVS, Transportation Services: $1,000 + $5,000 Provisional Allocations
BRASS, Shelter Transportation Assistance Program: $6,500
Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky, Buddy Transportation: $5,305
Refuge Bowling Green, Driver’s Education Program: $17,500
To receive funding from United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK), programs must align with the four priority areas identified through a comprehensive community research initiative. The community-defined focus areas are: Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net. In addition, all funded programs are evaluated using UWSK’s IMPACT criteria: Innovative, Measured, Partnered/Collaborative, Accountable, Community-centered, and Transformative. Priority is given to programs that follow best practices, demonstrate strong collaboration, and are deeply integrated into broader community efforts in these four key areas.
“Today is always one of our favorite days of the year—when we get to see donor dollars in action and hear powerful impact stories directly from the nonprofit agencies receiving funding. We are deeply grateful for every donation, every volunteer hour, and for the thoughtful work that goes into the allocation process. It’s a true reflection of what it means to Live United,” said Debbie Hills, President & CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky.
If you would like to volunteer to participate in the United Way of Southern Kentucky Allocation Process, please visit www.uwsk.org or call 270-843-3205 to learn more.
United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) is a local, independent, non-profit organization that works to identify and address the issues that matter most, change conditions and improve lives. The mission of United Way of Southern Kentucky is to be the leader in bringing together the resources to build a stronger, more caring community. United Way is focused on the building blocks for good quality of life – Education, Income, Health and Safety Net. Therefore, the vision of United Way is a Southern Kentucky
where all residents are educated, healthy, and financially stable. Incorporated as a charitable non-profit entity in 1956, UWSK has long served a major role in the community by bringing people together to create opportunities that make a measurable difference in the quality of life for people where they live and work.
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