People across the country are struggling in the economic wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including many of our neighbors right here in Ozaukee County.
Throughout its 71-year history in Ozaukee County, the United Way of Northern Ozaukee has earned the reputation of being an organization that responds to emerging needs with impactful local solutions.
And while the coronavirus is unlike any challenge the organization responded to in the past, we knew something needed to be done – and fast. With $25,000 in seed funding from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s MKE Responds Fund, the United Way got a jumpstart in creating a relief fund that was able to quickly move resources to community-based organizations most affected by emerging health, economic and social impacts of the public health crisis.
The Ozaukee County COVID-19 Relief Fund supports Ozaukee County residents who are struggling in the economic fallout from the pandemic. 100% of donations support relief programs and services to help with vital needs.
Thanks to your yearly gifts generously donated to United Way of Northern Ozaukee and the Ozaukee County COVID-19 Response Fund, we've already been able to award grants to local nonprofits responding to the acute needs that have arisen out of the pandemic. Grants will continue to be awarded on an ongoing basis and updated on this website.
Phase 1: Safety Net Services
Our first wave of grants went out at the end of March, and we awarded a total of $47,500 as follows:
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A partial payment of a $12,500 grant to Family Sharing of Ozaukee in Grafton supports purchasing additional food, distributing food to pantries, sanitizing the food bank, and removing obstacles so pantries can receive food quickly.
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A partial payment of a $12,500 grant to Advocates of Ozaukee supports proper staffing coverage for providing essential services to survivors of domestic abuse who are living at the shelter.
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A partial payment of a $22,500 grant to the Homeless Prevention Program managed by Advocates of Ozaukee to provide short-term rent assistance to help people who were employed prior to the pandemic and need help during the interim because of reduced hours or furlough.
Phase 2: Mental Well-Being for Vulnerable Populations
Our second wave of grants went out in mid-April, and we awarded over $56,000 as follows:
- Balance, Inc.
A $13,000 grant supports additional staff to ensure the safety and well-being of their disabled clients living in their eight Adult Family Homes. - Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center
A $10,000 grant supports proper staffing coverage for conducting forensic interviews to investigate child abuse and to provide supportive services and advocacy for those children and their families. - Ozaukee Family Services
A partial payment of $21,000 for counseling services via tele therapy and additional parent education and support to strengthen families. - Portal Inc.
A $2,540 grant supports additional outreach to adults with disabilities who are living at home with their parents and are unable to attend their day programming. - Starting Point
A grant of $3,104 for additional staff time to maintain the COPE hotline remotely. - YMCA Kettle Moraine/ Feith Branch
A grant of $5,000 supports early childhood programming and operating a childcare center in Saukville, serving children of healthcare and other essential workers. - Saukville Food pantry
A $2,000 grant supports increased demand for food and cleaning supplies.
Phase 3: Recovery
Our third wave of grants went out in early June, and we awarded over $85,000 as follows:
- Adult Literacy
A $9,000 grant was awarded for their adult learning program. Adult education programs act as a lifeline for those members of our community whose lives have been most seriously disrupted by the health and financial crisis. - Advocates of Ozaukee
A $7,500 grant to Advocates of Ozaukee supports proper staffing coverage for providing essential services to survivors of domestic abuse who are living at the shelter. - Balance, Inc.
A $13,000 grant supports additional staff training and PPE equipment to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients with disabilities as Balance slowly opens their Day Program. - Big Brothers Big Sisters
A $19,000 grant ensures that our youth in the community stay connected to their mentors and support systems safely through a new virtual academy program. - Family Enrichment Center
A $1,500 grant was awarded to the FEC, a comprehensive learning center for the nonprofit community, to ensure that COVID-19 public guidelines for providing a safe environment for the agencies, staff and clients are followed. - NAMI
A $2,000 grant purchased 400 copies of "Navigating the Experience Resource Guide," a resource guide for those experiencing a mental health emergency. - Ozaukee Family Services
A partial grant of $10,000 funds mental health and parent support programs in a virtual environment to continue strengthening Ozaukee County families. - Portal Inc.
A grant of $4,470 supports additional staff training and PPE equipment to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients with disabilities as Portal slowly opens their Employment Service program. - Portal Inc.
A grant of $18,000 for COVID-19-related costs to their Community and Adult Day Service Program and Social Well-Being and Recreation services. - Starting Point
A grant of $6,390 funds additional staff time to handle the increased number of mental health callers into the COPE hotline.
Thank You to Our Corporate Donors
