The United Way of Franklin County held its annual dinner on Monday, April 11,  sharing highlights from a challenging past two years and how through collaborative efforts, United Way of Franklin County has been able to expand its work, services, and support into Ripley County. 

“In early March of 2020, we realized the importance of creating a COVID 19 Relief Fund for families and individuals affected by the virus," Kelly Bulmer shared. "We had no clue at the time what the needs would be, but we wanted to be ready.”

According to Bulmer, the community stepped up in a big way, and in a matter of weeks, United Way raised $28,475. The funds were distributed amongst each school, Red Life Food Pantry, SIEOC for rent and utility relief, New Mercies, and others to aid during the pandemic.

In early May, United Way was notified the Lilly Foundation set aside 30 million dollars for local United Ways to provide COVID relief to agencies hit the hardest. United Way of Franklin County was awarded $300,000 to be used in both Franklin and Ripley counties to support the nonprofit network.

Then again, in 2021, United Way of Franklin County was awarded an additional $150,000 to use in both counties.

“That is a total of $450,000 that was used to aid the amazing work our nonprofit network does," Bulmer shared. "Some of the highlights of that grant for me personally were covering the start-up cost of Margaret Mary Health telehealth services in every school in the county and helping the SEIHC make their dream of a mobile clinic a reality. We now have a mobile health clinic visit Franklin County twice a month to serve our community's uninsured or underinsured people.”

The United Way also used the funds to boost food pantries in both counties as they saw an increase in families needing food, helped Safe Passage offset the expenses from increased services sought during the pandemic, and fully funded the Turn Over for Hunger Backpack program in Ripley County.

Next, Bulmer shared what initiatives are in process. "The United Way of Franklin County is currently contracted with a Certified Harwood Coach from the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, funded by a grant through Indiana United Way," Bulmer shared. "The Harwood Institute is a nonprofit that equips people, organizations, communities, and networks with the tools to bridge divides, build capacity, and tackle shared challenges. Their work is rooted in a philosophy of Civic Faith and the practice of Turning Outward.”

According to Bulmer, part of the Turning Outward process involves deep listening to the community achieved by hosting a community conversation series. 

“These conversations will help us capture the community's shared aspirations, their concerns, and what they believe might make a difference in strengthening the community, based on today's realities," Bulmer stated. "Then we'll use that knowledge to review our strategic plan, build our capacity, identify possible allies or partnerships, and consider opportunities within the community that support current priorities. This work will help us better serve the community at large and truly hear the pressing needs.”

Before the evening ended, Bulmer recognized Safe Passage director Jane Yorn who is soon retiring.

“She (Yorn) is the reason Safe Passage exists and, since its inception, has been the driving force behind the success of this one-of-a-kind organization," Bulmer said. "United Way has been a funding partner since the beginning. 

“Every interaction I have had with Jane over the last nine years has been inspiring. Jane is retiring soon and deserves a little recognition for the lives that have been impacted by the services Safe Passage provided."