United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore announced a record breaking $1.46 million in funds will be distributed among 80 local programs in 2018.

Established locally in 1944, the United Way continues to be the largest source of nongovernmental funding for nonprofit agencies, with a focus on Education, Financial Stability and Health.

United Way’s Community Impact Committee, led by Chairman Pete Bugas, spent more than 1,000 hours assessing funding applicants to determine programs that service the most important and pressing needs on the Lower Shore.

Funded programs must meet strict requirements and provide services in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset or Dorchester counties.

The $1,460,316 investment will directly impact the lives of 82,000 Lower Shore residents with various services including emergency and crisis assistance, food security, mental and physical health services, programs for the aging population, and after-school & summer enrichment.

“Each year, we assemble a diverse group of community stakeholders, volunteers, and donors to review the local programs that request financial support,” said Bugas.

“This is, by far, the most thorough grant review and funding process I have ever been a part of,” he said.

Said United Way Executive Director Kathleen Mommé: “It is both inspirational and humbling to live in a community of such caring people who sacrifice financially so others’ lives will be better.  Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure our donors’ dollars are managed carefully and will go toward programs that truly make a difference in our community.”

The following programs will be receiving United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore funding in 2018:

American Red Cross - Delmarva    

• Disaster Services

Bay Area Center for Independent Living   

• Assistive Technology Center

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore

• Mentoring
• Mentor Training

Catholic Charities - Seton Center

• Behavioral Health Services
• Basic Needs / Food / Case Management

Chesapeake Housing Mission        

• Critical Home Repair

Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care

• Hospice Program
• Palliative Program
• Compass Program

Delmarva Community Services     

• Transportation for Dialysis Patients
• Alzheimer's Respite Care
• Emergency Food
• Senior Dental Program
• Homelessness Prevention
• Veterans Transportation
• Senior Rural Transportation & Food Distribution
• Medical Adult Day Care - Hurlock

Del-mar-va Boy Scouts      

• Lower Shore Outreach

Diakonia  

• Emergency Shelter
• Transitional Housing
• Emergency Food Assistance
• Homeless Prevention & Rapid Rehousing

Dove Pointe

• Day Services

Easterseals

• Pediatric Therapy Services

Epoch Dream Center          

• After-school Enrichment & Summer Program

For All Seasons     

• Dorchester School-Based Mental Health

Garland Hayward Youth Center    

• After School Program

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay

• Girl Scouting Outreach

Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico

• Community Building
• Roof & Repair Program

Horizons Salisbury

• Summer Enrichment & Academic Connections
• High School Program

It Takes a Village to Help Our Children

• Faces of Somerset After School Program

Lead 4 Life

• R.I.S.E. in Worcester County Schools

Life Crisis Center

• MD 2-1-1

Lower Shore Enterprises

• Workforce Development & Community Integration
• Transportation - Vocational & Employment

MAC Inc.

• Meals on Wheels
• Senior Job Training
• Alzheimer’s Day Program
• Senior Care

Maryland Food Bank, Eastern Shore

• Pantry on the Go

Mid Shore Comm. Mediation Ctr.

• Dorchester Schools Conflict Resolution

Moveable Feast   

• Home Delivered Meals

Recovery Resource Center

• Community Center

Salisbury Urban Ministries

• Kids’ Café
• Community Health & Prescription Program
• Samaritan Ministries         
• Emergency Shelter
• Soup Kitchen

Somerset Community Services

• Transportation - Day Program

Telamon Corp.

• FAST Program
• Financial Literacy & Housing Counseling

The Salvation Army – Cambridge

• House of Hope Shelter
• Pathway of Hope

The Salvation Army – Lower Eastern Shore

• Social Services
• Older Adult Ministries
• Education & Latchkey Program
• Salisbury Youth Club
• Crisfield Youth Club
• Richard Hazel Youth Center

Village of Hope    

• Steps to Success Transitional Living

Worcester County Developmental Center  

• Residential Services

Worcester Youth & Family Services            

• Mental Health Counseling
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
• Family Connections
• SAGES Girls Program
• SABERS Boys Program

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Direct Services

• Agency Training & Support
• ALICE Project
• Community Connection Program
• Community Impact & Donor Services
• Emerging Leaders Projects
• Health Literacy
• Heroin & Addiction Awareness
• Imagination Library
• Information & Referral
• Student United Ways
• Tech 4 Teens
• Get Connected Volunteer Center