United Way of Deschutes County has changed its focus and renovated its community investment process to focus on transforming our community and achieving greater and more lasting change by adopting the reduction of childhood trauma and building resilience as its top priority.
This summer, the organization awarded 21 grants to local nonprofit organizations aimed at changing conditions in our community that lead to childhood trauma, and improving lives. Because trauma disrupts a child’s development and leads to physical, mental, and behavioral problems later in life, by focusing on trauma, United Way will address this root-cause issue in hopes of preventing a host of issues that affect a child’s health, education, and financial stability as they grow up.
Of these 21 Community Impact Partner organizations, two are set on systemic community transformation and are receiving United Way grants for the first time for that reason. Friends of the Children has been awarded $20,000 to support the launch of a Central Oregon chapter of their revolutionary mentorship program for children that are most at-risk.
For training in trauma-informed care and the creation of a trauma-informed culture, Mosaic Medical has been awarded an $18,742 grant. In addition, two programs focusing efforts on early childhood are among the 21 grant recipients. The therapeutic early childhood program operated by MountainStar Relief Nursery was awarded $17,000, and the developmental screening clinics provided through Healthy Beginnings received $16,500.
At United Way, “we are committed to prioritize root causes like childhood trauma,” according to Racheal Baker, co-chair of United Way’s Community Impact Committee. Her co-chair, John Hummel, added: “We’re striving to obtain the greatest impact by supporting programs and initiatives that address the deeper issues affecting the well-being of every person in every Central Oregon community and their ability to thrive.”
For a complete list of grantees and more information visit the United Way of Deschutes County website at https://www.deschutesunitedway.org/impact-partners.
