Programs and Initiatives
How United Way Helps
2021 Funded Agency Programs and Descriptions
Information is from Grant Requests
Funding for JULY 1, 2021 to JUNE 30, 2022
Note: Funding amounts for July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 can be found here.
Please look over our Community Initiatives Report for 2021 and see all the ways United Way of Gloucester County helps within the community.
The Arc Gloucester
Camp Sun ‘N Fun
The Arc Gloucester’s Camp Sun ‘N Fun respite program is designed to provide a full, independent, outdoor camp experience within a safe and enjoyable environment. The program enhances the camper’s abilities and increases socialization skills which, in turn, increases their ability to be a productive contributor to their community. For families and caregivers, this program is the only relief they receive from the non-stop, day-to-day, 24/7 care needed for an individual with I/DD. For those not able to attend due to health or factors such as a quarantine, a Virtual Camp option is structured to allow the camper to attend and involve their caregivers to share in the experience of Camp with their camper. Additionally, short respite camps as well as caregiver and sibling networking events are provided to give families an outlet to share. Professional instructors and counselors are contracted to assist.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region
Mentoring in Gloucester County
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (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. Mentoring matches commit to at least one year in the program, 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.
Boy Scouts of America, Garden State Council
Scouting Positive Impact
This program teaches youth skills they can use for a lifetime through the BSA Scouting Programs. The area of concentration will be on Scouting Programs in Gloucester County to promote and recruit young girls and boys who may otherwise not have the opportunity to join. Giving youth the whole Scout experience through Scout Program and Activities. The highlight of every Scout year is attending camp! Cub Scouts attend Day Camp and Scouts BSA attend Resident Camp. This year due to COVID-19 they attended “Camp Connected”, a Virtual Camp experience. A study out of Tuft’s University has found that Scouting does in fact have a measurable, positive impact in the character development of the youth in our communities.
Center for Family Services
Mother Child Residential
Center For Family Services’ (CFS) 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
Steps to a Career
The Steps to a Career Program assists clients in achieving self-sufficiency after experiencing the stressful situation of separation, divorce, domestic violence, being widowed, or the total disability of their spouse. The program works with clients in overcoming the psychological and physical barriers due to the crisis they experienced, and helps in choosing career paths and employability. The program assists with resume creation, conducting their job search, sharpening their interview skills, and keeping the job once they get the job.
FamCare
Special Medical Services
The Special Medical Services Program (SMS) provides routine reproductive health care services, cancer screening and diagnostic testing to uninsured and under-insured clients who live in Gloucester County. Gynecologic exams providing include thin prep pap tests and HPV testing in age appropriate women. Additional services include breast and pelvic exams for women, testicular exams for men, referrals for mammograms, diagnostic ultrasounds of the breast, pelvis, vagina, and on rare occasions the scrotum. Complimentary services provided on-site are blood-pressure screening, HIV and STD testing, and health education.
FamCare’s ability to provide cost effective preventative care improves health outcomes of Gloucester County residents. Funding for FamCare, ensures low-income uninsured/ under-insured women and men of Gloucester County will have seamless access to preventative and diagnostic services.
Food Bank of South Jersey
Children’s Year-Round Feeding Program
Due to the on-going pandemic and the interruption of school schedules, the Food bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) has changed the food distribution programs for children. FBSJ continues to operate children’s meals programs however at this time they are fully funded through USDA and other funding. However, FBSJ has expanded our School Pantry at Woodbury Junior/Senior High School to accommodate the families in the city with school-age children. The School Pantry provides supplemental food for families through a monthly distribution program hosted at the high school on the third Thursday of the month. Given the surging food insecurity caused by the loss of employment surrounding pandemic related business closures, FBSJ has been targeting the hardest hit areas for food distribution. The school pantry provides shelf stable products in addition to proteins, dairy and some produce.
Girl Scouts of Central and Southern NJ
Leadership Experience
GSCSNJ’s mission is to help create girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. GSCSNJ seeks support for bringing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to all girls in Gloucester County, regardless of income, family situation, volunteer resources, or other external circumstances. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a collection of experiences that aid girls in finding a sense of self, building healthy relationship skills, and connecting them to their community in a way that enables them to be proactive and confident problem solvers when looking at the world around them. Girls will learn these skills with the help of highly trained volunteers, staff, GSCSNJ and GSUSA resources, and experiences that allow them to utilize these skills. Girls do this through any combination of program offerings, including events, troop meetings, the Girl Scout Cookie Product Program, outdoor adventures, and service projects–all made virtual when circumstances necessitate it. This program will be organized by staff and highly trained volunteers who make the program possible, as well as ensure all girls participating have the means to engage in the program.
Glassboro Child Development Centers
School Age Care Program
Our School Age Program for 2021-2022 will cost more and must do so with less resources. After a year of COVID-19 adjustments we find ourselves serving less children in person, but with more needs, and more students remotely, with even more academic, social and emotional needs. This year we are choosing to serve 50 students with requested funding from the United Way of Gloucester County. Therefore, we will only serve one school location instead of 2 with our program grant from the United Way. Our typical (non-COVID) program serves students for a shorter portion of the day but in 2021-2022 we still anticipate providing programming all day or at least ¾ of the day for many students. During 6 hours of the day, we provide virtual learning support in smaller staff-to-child ratios (1:8) than pre-COVID (1:12) and fully anticipate this being the case for many of our students into the new school year. The other 3-4 hours a day are spent providing afterschool enrichment and academic remediation, providing meals, and physical activity. Since we will not be able to access the funds we usually can, we will limit this program to the school age program for grades K-3 only. Our K-3rd graders will attend full time summer from July 1, 2021 through August 13, 2021 and every day school is in session (in person or virtual) from September 8, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
HollyDELL
Twenty-One Plus and Growing Opportunities Programs
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. The GO Program provides services to developmentally delays with or without medical conditions. Activities that incorporate cognitive, medical, and physical needs in a nurturing atmosphere are essential components of their day. Prior to the pandemic, time in the community provided our adults with life experiences that are essential to their continued emotional growth, life-long learning, and enhancements of friendships. Until it is safe, community outings will be paused until a later date in the year, if feasible. Our primary funding source, DDD, has supported us with 75% funding through October, however this amount has been reduced to 50%. In addition, due to the pandemic we are only permitted to do 1:1 service; no congregate services permitted. As a result, we are losing a significant amount of funding. Nursing is not considered a reimbursable service and overall funding increases are not likely under the new Medicaid initiative. Prior to COVID, the adult programs were holding their own. Most of our clients have significant medical needs, cognitive and nursing care is an essential service if they are to function outside their home.
Literacy New Jersey
Gloucester County Programs
Literacy NJ 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 (HSE) exam and English as a Second Language (ESL). Since the pandemic, Literacy NJ Gloucester County has temporarily discontinued in-person instruction, and staff and volunteer tutors are providing students with online and phone instruction, through tools such as Zoom. Many of our adult learners and volunteer tutors eagerly embraced these changes. Even after we return to in-person instruction, we will maintain these platforms to expand the services we offer our students, who often juggle jobs and families.
Maryville Addiction Treatment Center
Residential Substance Use and Co-occurring Mental Health Treatment
Maryville has served as a residential addiction services provider in Williamstown for 71 years. Today, the Williamstown Campus is a recently expanded 80-bed facility offering 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 who meet ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) Patient Placement criteria. Maryville utilizes a Recovery Systems of Care (ROSC) approach to services. Services are strengths-based and person-centered, 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 that includes inpatient detoxification, short-term and long-term residential treatment, outpatient/intensive outpatient services, and recovery supports that include follow-up and alumni services. This allows for continuity as individuals move between levels of care. Aftercare planning and follow-up calls are conducted in order to improve long-term recovery outcomes, and Alumni Services are available so that Maryville can serve as a long-term support to clients completing treatment.
Additionally, Maryville is able to provide services to Gloucester County residents at its other locations. Post House at Maryville in Pemberton opened three years ago; and is a 54-bed residential treatment facility for men. With COVID-19’s resulting isolation, unemployment, loss of businesses, and loss of loved ones, Maryville has continued to provide services throughout the pandemic.
Repauno Preschool Day Care Center
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.
Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice
Center for Grief Support
In 2019, Samaritan’s Center for Grief Support marked its 20th anniversary of providing care to our community members at large, not just the loved ones of our patients. The year 2020, however, resulted in a need for Samaritan’s Center for Grief Support to massively adapt to the necessary restrictions regarding face-to-face individual and group counselling. Beginning in March of 2020, our efforts became even more focused on healing those in need. Grief is a painful companion that recognizes love and loss. With the overlay of COVID-19, grief seems to permeate so many aspects of life and magnifies the pain of losses. We have all been upended with changes to our traditions and rituals that allow us to honor life and death in very personal ways; that allow us to connect and grieve as a community. The amazing village of Samaritan’s staff and volunteers have risen to new heights of dedication and service, adapting bereavement services for social distancing and for our remote working environment. They compassionately listen to the stories of our bereaved and work with spiritual support counselors to connect the bereaved to traditions and rituals that bring healing, and give them safe spaces to find connection in a time of deep disconnection. Our Center team works tirelessly and has explored new and creative ways to provide 1:1 counseling and support groups by telephone and virtual platforms. The thousands of cards, letters, and phone calls that the Center team sends and makes seems to mean even more today.
Volunteers of America
Eleanor Corbett House
The UWGC 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.
