Matagorda County Chapter

MCUW would like to thank each and every one of their donors and volunteers who continue to keep United Way the largest source of non-governmental funding of social services for area non-profit organizations. United Way is proactive in its funding favoring preventive approaches and collaborative endeavors with not-for-profit partners. Priority is given to organizations that leverage additional support and serve as a catalyst for long-term, systemic change. (More than 2 million dollars in additional grant funding was realized in Matagorda County this past year due to United Way funding.) Only admission packets from tax-exempt, charitable Health & Human Service organizations serving citizens of Matagorda County were accepted.

The Matagorda County United Way (MCUW) Board recently approved final funding for 20 Health & Human Service Non-profits for 2003. Priority funding was awarded to organizations with programs in the following categories: Thriving Children, Healthy People, Strong Communities, Vibrant Neighborhoods, and Self-Sufficient People.

The following organizations were funded for 2003: American Red Cross-Bay City Chapter - $43,120; Association for Retarded Citizens - $30,380; Bay City Day Care – $28,420; Boy Scouts of America – Sam Houston Area Council – $4,900; Boys & Girls Club – Palacios Unit - $4,000; The Robert Duran Caring & Sharing Food Pantry – $5,880; Council on Substance Abuse – $9,800; DARE – Tidehaven ISD - $980; Economic Action Committee of the Gulf Coast - $30,380; Friends of Elder Citizens – $49,000; Girl Scouts of South Texas - $980; Kids, in Distress Services - $9,800; Literacy Volunteers of America - $9,800; Matagorda County Teen Court - $12,740; Matagorda County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) - $13,720; Matagorda Episcopal Hospital Outreach Program (MEHOP) - $25,970; Salvation Army Food Pantry - $4,410; Rainbow Land Day Care - $12,250; Salvation Army – Bay City Service Center - $11,270; and The Women’s Crisis Center - $34,300. In addition to the above organizations, $13,230 was set aside for local scouting scholarships and activities as well as approximately $30,000 for the HELPLINE Information & Referral services. Eleven other United Ways and 24 other non-profit organizations not going through the stringent MCUW admissions and review process also received designated funds through the annual fundraising campaign. These donor-designated dollars will be sent on to qualifying organizations throughout the year. Local volunteers determine all United Way Policies, Procedures, Fund distribution and other criteria. To become part of or find out more about the United Way process please contact the Matagorda County United Way office at 979-245-5852.

Current Community Care Family

AMERICAN RED CROSS — MATAGORDA COUNTY CHAPTER

Chapter Director Pat Curry, 2200 Seventh St. 1st Floor, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-3056 , Fax 979-245-7145 matagorda_arc@hotmail.com

Provides disaster preparedness and relief, like emergency funds for shelter and clothing; service to military and their families; health education on current issues such as AIDS, first aid, CPR, and water safety.

SALVATION ARMY FOOD PANTRY

Director Cynthia Ottis, 1911 7th St. P.O. Box 416, Bay City, TX 77404-0416, 979-244-1777, Fax 979-244-2628

The Food Pantry, overseen by Salvation Army-Bay City unit, feeds the hungry of Bay City and will meet the needs of other communities in Matagorda County when needed.

BAY CITY DAY CARE

Executive Director Elnora Moore, 2516 Ave. K., P.O. Box 1213, Bay City, TX 77404-1213, 979-245-9641, Fax 979-245-2441

Provides low cost day care for children of low income families, often single parents. The kids are exposed to cultural enrichment through planned activities.

B0Y SCOUTS OF AMERICA—SAM HOUSTON AREA COUNCIL

James Roberson - Area coordinator, 4203 Lori Lane, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-9265

Provides social developmental programs for young men through physical & mental fitness, leadership, outdoor skills, career exploration for area youth.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB—PALACIOS UNIT

Coordinator Belinda Rodriguez, 901 Second St., P.O. Box 843, Palacios, TX 77465, 361-972-2642, Fax 361-972-3960,

After school program for youth. Offers tutoring, programs and activities for the youth of Palacios & the surrounding area.

COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE (CoSA)

Director Don Amico, 744 W. Henderson Rd., Angleton, TX 77515, 979-848-0931, Fax 979-848-8236, 1-800-386-0931, Bay City Office - Leo Heble, 979-245-3806, Fax 979-244-3569, Juvenile Probation Office, Charlotte Knapp, 2004 Kilowatt Road, 979-224-5820 Ext 20, Fax 979-244-3849

Provides education, information and prevention programs for all age groups who are affected by substance abuse in Matagorda, Brazoria, & Wharton Counties .

D.A.R.E.— TIDEHAVEN ISD

D.A.R.E. (TISD) Officer Jamie Buis, P.O. Box 129, El Maton, TX. 77440, 361-588-6685, Fax 361-588-7109, Tisddare@hotmail.com,

Exclusively for education purposes. To develop awareness with students toward the dangers of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and to build up their self-esteem so they don't follow peer pressure.

ECONOMIC ACTIONS COMMITTEE (EAC)

Executive Director Hazel Johnson, 3008 LeTulle or 904 Whitson, P.O. Box 1685, Bay City, TX 77404-1685, 245-1923 or 245-6901, Energy 245-3250, Fax 979 245-5699, Eacgc@wcnet.net

Provides energy related assistance and the Title XX Program - a hot nutritional meal for homebound elderly and disabled citizens of Matagorda County.

FRIENDS OF ELDER CITIZENS

Director Beverly Watson, P.O. Box 791, 705 Commerce, Palacios, TX 77465, 361-972-9921 or 2715, Fax 361-972-9966, foecmat@wcnet.net;

Prep & Eva Graham Adult Activity Center, Manager Belia Avila, 1120 Ave. F, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-7400, ,Fax 979-323-0448, foecbc@wcnet.net

Provides transportation, information and referral, outreach, home delivered meals, congregate meals, recreation, nutrition, educational information, and health services for persons ages 60 and older living in Matagorda & Jackson Counties.

GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTH TEXAS COUNCIL

Executive Director Carmen Mikkel, 231 West Hwy 332, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566, 1-800-952-5556, Fax 979-297-0661, Carmenm@gsst.org

Provides comprehensive social developmental programs for young women through physical and mental fitness, leadership opportunities, outdoor skills, career exploration.

KIDS IN DISTRESS (K.I.D.S.)

Lynn Vajdos President, 3917 Wickersham, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-2524, dlvajdos@tisd.net

Provides counseling for children of Matagorda County who have been physically and sexually abused, and educates the community on the issues of child abuse.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS of AMERICA, INC.

Linda Brown -Program Coordinator, 1921 5th St., Bay City, TX 77414, 979-244-9544 Fax 244-9566, lvabc@beamans.com

LVA Bay City is a non-profit organization whose mission is to teach the adult non-reader skills in literacy to increase their occupational competency and to empower their drive toward personal fulfillment.

MATAGORDA COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS

Verna Henderson-Program Director, 920 Nichols, P.O. Box 1305, Bay City, TX 77404-1305, 979-245-5833, Fax 979-245-8729

Provides services for male and female, mentally retarded adults, to improve their lifestyle and skills to make them self sufficient.

MATAGORDA COUNTY COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA)

Director Joyce Richmond, 2200 7th St. - 3rd Floor, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-4958, Fax 979-245-6453, matcocasa@sbcglobal.net

Provides trained volunteers to act as advocates to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children involved in the court system. The volunteer makes recommendations to the court as to the child’s best interest and placement.

MATAGORDA EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL OUTREACH PROGRAM (MEHOP)

Executive Director Brenda Harris, 101 Ave. F., Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-2008, Fax 979-245-0744, MEHOP1@wcnet.net

Mobil medical clinic providing health care, a vision program, and spiritual ministry to the disadvantage regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. No one is turned away. Provides a Licensed Nurse Practitioner and a registered nurse, overseen by a medical Director.

MATAGORDA COUNTY TEEN COURT

Judge Herbert Hawkins- Administrator, Program Coordinator-Lori Leverette, 2408 Ave. D, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-1401, Fax 979-323-1649, Mctc@academic planet.com

Their mission is to attack the juvenile crime problem, deter, and prevent future juvenile crime throughout Matagorda County. Teen Court imparts swift justice with immediate consequences, punishment, restitution, and corrective action.

MATAGORDA COUNTY UNITED WAY— HELPLINE

Executive Director Kim Effenberger, 2417 Ave G, Bay City, TX 77414, 979-245-5852, Fax 979-244-1541, mcuw@wcnet.net

A free and confidential bilingual information and referral service. Works cooperatively with federal, state, and local non-profit and governmental agencies. HELPLINE is the critical link between clients and services.

MATAGORDA COUNTY WOMEN’S CRISIS CENTER

Executive Director Glenda Davenport,3010 6th St., P.O. Box 1820, Bay City, TX 77404-1820, 979-245-9109 or 1-800-451-9235, Fax 979-245-3426, mcwcc@crisiscnt.com

A community based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a safe refuge for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

RAINBOW LAND DAY CARE

Director Janie Medina, P.O. Box 814, Palacios, TX 77465, 361-972-2831, Fax 323-9250

Provides quality licensed day care on a sliding scale for children around Palacios whose parents must work outside the home.

SALVATION ARMY — BAY CITY

Director Cynthia Ottis, 1911 7th St. P.O. Box 416, Bay City, TX 77404-0416, 979-244-1777, Fax 979-244-2628, salvationarmy@wcnet.net

Provides emergency assistance with basic needs, including food, medicine, clothing, transportation, shelter, and disaster relief.

THE ROBERT DURAN CARING & SHARING FOOD PANTRY

DirectorsPat McKinney or Candice Neese, POB 791 or 706 1/2 Commerce Palacios, TX 77465, 361-972-6355, Fax 361-972-6669, Bomac@hotmail.com

Their Mission is to feed the hungry of Palacios and the surrounding area.

(Scouting needs for boys & girls also provided locally.) *Funded agencies for 2003 will be determined at the MCUW October Board meeting.