Programs and Initiatives

How United Way Helps

Abilities Solutions

Assess – Develop – Employ
Assisting adults with disabilities toward financial stability requires helping each person identify their unique strengths and challenges as they strive to reach their highest vocational potential. The program challenges us all to think about how we would feel if we can’t answer the question “What kind of work do you do?” ASSESSMENT lays the foundation for a realistic/desired vocational path through counseling, testing, and work trials. Job readiness skills are further DEVELOPED through hands on paid training experiences, job readiness classes, job club, committees such as Workplace Safety and job fairs. EMPLOYMENT within one of our own work areas (light industrial, warehouse, food service, janitorial) provides transitional structured jobs for those with the most severe disabilities until a competitive opportunity in the community can be achieved. Job placement and long term coaching matches employers with persons served. This multifaceted program provides a seamless transition and enhances likelihood of job retention. While the program facilitates jobs and a paycheck, the processes of building skills, discovering strengths and interests, and supporting on the job result in much more: a work identity, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

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VetAbility
VetAbility is a program for military veterans and their families offering services toward both financial stability and basic needs through stabilization resource connections and employment assistance. It is a Veteran to Veteran model which has been effective in reaching Veterans who are mistrusting of non-Veteran entities or government assistance. Since inception in September 2013, the program has positively touched over 900 Veterans and their families. The goal is employment but for those whose barriers to employment include hunger, homelessness/housing related, clothing, transportation, medical/psychological instability, rapid response and resource connections are offered. The program offers community outreach and case finding, stabilization for basic needs, employment related assistance and a calendar of monthly support activities provided by VetAbility that combine education, peer support and counseling and family / social support.

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The Arc Gloucester

Camp Sun ‘N Fun
Camp Sun ‘N Fun is a respite program that provides a full, independent, outdoor camp experience for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in a safe and enjoyable environment designed to enhance their abilities and increase socialization skills which, in turn, increases their ability to be a productive contributor to their community, regardless of age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and/or ability level. The respite camp provides for families and caregivers is the only relief most get from the non-stop, day-to-day, 24/7 care needed for an individual with I/DD.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region

Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region (BBBSI) provides professionally supported one-to-one mentoring to children in Gloucester County using the BBBS model, designated as an “Evidence-Based Practice” for preventing substance abuse, adolescent crime, anti-social behavior, aggression, and delinquency among mentored youth. In Gloucester County, we offer “Community-Based” (CB) and “School-Based” (SB) mentoring. With CB mentoring, relationships are year-round; mentors (“Bigs”) interact with families, and see child mentees (“Littles”) 2-4 times per month on weekends and/or after school; activities together take place in the community. Bigs and Littles sign up for at least a one year relationship, with many relationships lasting far longer. In our SB mentoring program, students from Rowan University volunteer and are matched to Gloucester County children who attend Glassboro Child Development Center’s after school program. Matches meet weekly – College Bigs provide Littles with a nurturing relationship, friendship and ongoing support for at least one school year. Throughout their involvement in the program, Bigs and Littles interact with and receive support from dedicated, trained, professional staff.

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Center for Family Services

Mother/Child Residential
Center for Family Services’ Mother/Child Residential Program (MCR) meets the basic needs of vulnerable women and children and empowers homeless women to achieve a better life for their families. Upon arrival, residents complete an intake to identify their unique needs and develop an intensive case management plan. MCR offers on-site counseling; educational classes focused on parenting, anger management, behavioral health, domestic violence, healthy relationships, sexual violence, financial empowerment/budgeting, cooking matters, and substance abuse.

Center for People in Transition

Crisis to Career
The Crisis to Career Program assists clients in moving from the extremely stressful situations of separation, divorce, being widowed, or experiencing the total disability of their spouse to self-sufficiency. The Program works with people in overcoming the psychological and physical barriers due to the crisis they experienced, and helps in choosing career paths and employability, and assists with resume creation, conducting their job search, sharpening their interview skills, and keeping the job once they get the job.

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Food Bank of South Jersey

Gloucester County Children’s Health and Meal Program
FBSJ’s Children’s Health and Meal Program provides food services and education to at-risk youth living in Gloucester County which includes:

• School Pantry provides groceries for families through a mobile food pantry site conveniently located at participating Gloucester County schools. Families must register to participate. Once per month, food is distributed by volunteers, and families walk through to select foods they need.
• KidzPack provides a bag of food on Friday afternoons for children and their families who suffer from food insecurity to sustain them through the weekend. There are a variety of items like peanut butter or tuna fish, whole grains, and other nutrient-dense food placed into the bags by volunteers at the Food Bank. Those bags are then delivered to schools or summer sites, and volunteers then hand the bags to children to bring home to their families.
• Summer Feeding Program provides nutritious, locally-prepared breakfast, lunch, and snacks to children in need through summer camps and other activity programs. No child is turned away, no registration fees are charged, and (in most cases) pre-registrations are not required.

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Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ

Leadership Experience
Studies have shown that Girl Scouts are more likely than non–Girl Scouts to practice goal setting, problem solving, risk taking, and leadership—key skills for the 21st century. With the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), we allow girls to realize their leadership potential through a variety of experiences, skill-building opportunities, and connections. The GSLE is girl-led, with hands-on activities in which girls team up and work together where they achieve a strong sense of self, develop positive values, seek challenges, have healthy relationships, and solve problems in their communities. The result? Girls become G.I.R.L.s. Go-getters, Innovators, Risk Takers, Leaders.

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Glassboro Child Development Centers

School Age Care Program
The School Age Program serves three public schools at Dorothy L. Bullock School in Glassboro, New Jersey during the school year. This program operates before school from 6:30am and after school until 6:00pm, every day school is in session, including delayed openings and early dismissals. We also provide limited programming on some school holidays, because our parents work and require extended child care. Camp Horizon Summer Learning Program is also held at Dorothy L. Bullock School for 8-10 weeks during each summer, Monday through Friday (mid-June through mid-August) from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Our School Age Program provides child care and enrichment for children in grades PreK-6 who are from low to moderate income families, during 240-250 service days per year. We use the NJ After 3 program model to provide safe, quality care and enrichment with low staff to child ratios (1:10), college-educated and degreed staff, linking the school day with out of school time, encouraging parent engagement and supporting kids’ academic success.

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HollyDELL

Twenty-One Plus
Nursing services are an integral part of our daily program. The T.O.P. Program provides adult medical day services for adults who are over 21 years of age with a 1:3 ratio of staff to consumer. Activities that incorporate cognitive, medical and physical needs in a nurturing atmosphere are essential components of their day. Time in the community provides our adults with life experiences that are essential to their continued emotional growth, life-long learning and enhancements of friendships. The T.O.P. program allows individuals to reside at home with the benefits of community outings and on-site program activities. We are the only adult day program in Gloucester County that provides medical services on-site and in the community for all our clients. Our primary funding source, DDD, has switched to a “fee for service” or a Medicaid model, however there are many unresolved issues that all DDD providers in the state are experiencing. As mentioned in previous grant applications, nursing is not considered a reimbursable service and overall funding increases are not likely under the new Medicaid initiative. The positive news is that the Twenty-One Plus program is holding its own. Most of our clients have significant medical needs and nursing care is an essential service if they are to function outside their home.

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Literacy New Jersey

Glo. Co. Programs
Literacy New Jersey will recruit, train, match and support volunteer tutors to work with adults who struggle with literacy skills. Tutors will provide free, one-to-one and small-group instruction throughout Gloucester County in basic literacy, preparation for the high school equivalency exam, English as a Second Language, and U.S. citizenship preparation. With support from the United Way of Gloucester County, we will offer the individualized instruction crucial for building skills and confidence. By focusing on the specific needs of each learner, Literacy New Jersey will remove barriers to employment in a competitive job market and improve the quality of life for students and families.

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NewPoint Behavioral Health Care

Outpatient Department – Center Division
The vast majority of the outpatient clients are seen at this site. The program provides children, adult and family therapy along with psychiatric evaluations and medication monitoring for Gloucester County residents. Most individuals seeking outpatient services at NewPoint have issues related to their psychoses, anxiety, depression, phase of life transitions, treatment follow-up to psychiatric hospitalization, family conflict, school problems, attention-deficit disorder, co-occurring substance use disorders, among others. The monies requested would be used for medication monitoring by a psychiatrist for these residents.

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Repauno Pre School Day Care

Infant & Preschool Childcare and Early Education
The program is a resource for low-income parents who are working or going to school full-time, where they can trust their children to be cared for in a nurturing and stimulating environment. Currently we serve children aged 6 weeks to 5 ½ years of age in an early childhood setting where they can develop physically, mentally & socially. We provide a play-based educational program that aligns with developmentally appropriate practice for early childhood education.

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Robins’ Nest

Older Adult ServicesRobins’ Nest proposes to continue implementation of an in-home mental health treatment program designed specifically to support Older Adults (age 60 and over) and their family caregivers. Services will include information and referral, psychoeducation, support groups and one on one behavioral/mental health counseling primarily focused on depression, anxiety, stress and coping. Services to be held at any location desired by the recipient or caregiver, with an initial focus on in-home support. Funding will cover the annual salary and benefits of a full time clinician, allowing Robins’ Nest to fully expand service capacity without adversely affecting existing programming. The treatment model will also include visits conducted in Robins’ Nest Danellie Counseling Center, which will encourage funding beyond year one of the program.

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Senior Corps

Medicare Counseling
Senior Corps Medicare Insurance counseling program is for residents of Gloucester County on Medicare by age or disability needing improved healthcare and advocacy. Medicare beneficiaries have questions about benefits, claims, medical care and medications. Trained and certified volunteer counselors provide information, assistance and conduct Medicare appeals up to an including representation in front of an Administrative law (A.L.J.) Judge, as well as cost effective evaluations of health insurance options. These decisions have major financial implications and affect quality of health care for Gloucester County residents. The program goal is to improved health care for Gloucester County residents.

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Volunteers of America

Eleanor Corbett House
The funding will be used for the Supplemental Housing Program (SHP) at Eleanor Corbett House to provide short-term shelter and case management services for individuals/ family members experiencing homelessness in Gloucester County. Individuals served will be those who would be otherwise ineligible for benefits through the Gloucester County’s Board of Social Services or Work First New Jersey (WFNJ). During the course of their participation in the SHP, individuals served will work with case management to complete a comprehensive risk/needs assessment and an Individualized Service Plan (ISP); develop budget and savings plans; participate in Rent Smart Tenant Education curriculum; establish linkages to the community and its resources; and develop strategies for obtaining permanent housing.

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YMCA of Gloucester County

Y-Access Program *
The Y-Access Program is an initiative developed by the YMCA of Gloucester County in 2017, with the help of funding from United Way of Gloucester County. The Y-Access program provides programming for students experiencing homelessness within the Paulsboro School District. The programming consists of Before and After School Programs for student’s grades Pre-K through 6th through our school aged licensed child care program; this program will be subsidized and, therefore, free of charge to children experiencing homelessness. The program provides a safe place for students while they wait for their bus to take them to their housing. Students will attend an enrichment program that offers homework help, structured games, art projects, sports, nature activities, healthy snacks, and more. Our before and after school programs incorporate the CATCH Kids Club (Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health), which teaches kids how to lead healthier lives through non-elimination physical games and nutrition lessons, as well as decreasing screen time while in the program. The CATCH Club is incorporated in the school aged child care program for at least 30 minutes daily.

* Agency declined this funding as of July 31st, 2019.

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Two Special Grants for Addiction Services

Maryville

Residential substance abuse and co-occurring mental health treatment
The Williamstown Campus is a 76-bed residential facility that offers a safe, therapeutic environment for the diagnosis and treatment of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Detoxification and short-term treatment are provided in gender-specific residences for individuals 18 years and older. Services are person-centered and strengths-based, provided in a welcoming environment. Staff understand there are multiple pathways to recovery and support clients in their efforts to determine which path is right for them. Clients completing residential treatment at Maryville have the added benefit of being able to seamlessly transition to outpatient treatment if that is the next ASAM-indicated level of care. Maryville offers a full continuum of care that includes inpatient detoxification, short-term and long-term treatment, outpatient/intensive outpatient services, and recovery supports that include follow-up and alumni services.

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The Silent Epidemic

Sober Living and Intermediate Housing Gift
The Sober Living Gift is a bridge program to help these individuals with rental deposits and expenses in order to enter sober housing. The assistance is paid directly to location where they are moving to, not the person requesting. Over the last several years it has become evident that individuals just starting out on their recovery program need immediate assistance. We have witnessed many family members, the homeless and veterans struggle to make the step into recovery housing. Silent Epidemic/Sober Living Gift receives approximately 125 applications per month for recovery housing. These individuals have no funds, and families cannot help because they are financially strapped or there are trust issues when it comes to money. Because these individuals are newly out of detox and/or rehab they are not employed or employable. The recovery houses provide an opportunity for individuals to live with their peers who hold them accountable and teach them how to get a job and live a sober life. Unfortunately, about 80% of those who apply for housing assistance return to the streets because funding is not available. Our program has been in existence for approximately 3 years. Sadly, not everyone receives funding because the need outweighs the funding that we currently have available. We must decide who gets help by reading their story, how grateful they are and if they really want to work on their recovery, and their willingness to give back to the recovery community. We follow up after one week, one month, two months and six months. We also ask the individual to complete a survey on their house.