United Way Gives Groups $800,000 in Grants

The United Way of Orange County has injected more than $800,000 into the budgets of 48 organizations throughout the county.

The grant money is part of the United Way’s Targeted Issues Grant Program, which was introduced in 1990 and allowed contributors to direct donations to specific social service issues United Way identified as critical in Orange County.

Seven issues were identified, including health care, homelessness, child care, physical and sexual abuse, prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse, mental and emotional health, and bridging cultural differences. More than 250 Orange County social service agencies applied for the grants, said Leslie Quinlan, coordinator of the grant program.

Through a review process conducted by volunteers, Quinlan said 32 United Way-affiliated organizations and 16 non-affiliated organizations will receive the one-year grants beginning in January, 1993.

The targeted money was distributed to:

* 13 programs providing services to the homeless, $334,714.

* 11 child care programs for day care, education, recreation and latch-key programs, more than $167,000.

* Nine organizations fighting sexual, physical and emotional abuse, $158,616.

* Six anti-drug and alcohol services programs, $72,034.

* Six mental health organizations, $42,031.

* Three health care organizations, $38,122.

* Four cultural awareness organizations, $16,641.

For some organizations, the United Way funding means being able to expand programs at a time when demand has increased but money is scarce.

“The number of homeless has increased during these bad times,” said Dennis White, executive director of Episcopal Service Alliance, which will receive $50,000, the largest single grant.

“Everybody is in financial trouble, including nonprofit organizations,” White said. “This grant is about 10% of our budget.”

The alliance will use the money for temporary housing for homeless people and pay some staff costs.

“But the majority will go to putting people up in motels and such,” White said.