Meeting needs as diverse as disaster relief, senior services, youth programs and health issues, United Way of Kitsap County is the community’s leading non-profit funder of health and human services. This year, based on community research and the decision of 31 local United Way board members, additional funds will go toward youth initiatives to meet the increasing challenges faced by families and young people in Kitsap County.

Among new programs funded is Kid City, a new day care located in downtown Bremerton. Kid City helps working families by providing affordable, convenient day care solutions.

“As community needs change, we work hard to allocate the funds we raise accordingly,” says United Way Executive Director Barbara Stephenson. “Our job is to raise funds to meet the most critical health and human service needs in our local community. Deciding who gets the money is a tough job. There are so many challenges faced by Kitsap residents. We have a dedicated, well-informed board made up of a broad cross-section of the community. They are the folks who make these difficult funding decisions.”

All United Way agencies are subject to a thorough screening and interview process, and must meet criteria mandated by the board. The following is a list of local United Way agencies and the funding they will receive in 2001:

In addition, a new United Way agency was brought on board: the Housing Resources Board, an organization providing transitional and low-income housing for victims of domestic abuse and families in crisis. Under board-mandated policies, it did not receive funding this year, but will be eligible for funding the second year as a United Way agency. Housing Resources Board serves Kitsap residents county-wide and is located on Bainbridge Island.

United Way of Kitsap County raises funds each fall from local residents and businesses. These funds stay in the Kitsap community, helping meet local needs and address local challenges.