Recently we received notice that Allen Community Outreach will no longer receive funding from United Way Metropolitan Dallas where we have been a #1 rated agency and affiliate since our inception in 1985.
This is very disappointing and a devastating loss to our annual budget. United Way has stressed the change in their criteria to focus solely on improving education, health and income. They feel our mission does not reflect their goals. We disagree. Providing families in their time of crisis with financial assistance to keep them in their homes while they get back on their feet directly improves their income situation. It’s unfortunate that funding for a vital program that makes a great impact on our community would be eliminated by United Way.
Fortunately we have support from our community- both residents and businesses- that will sustain this program and other critical services that Allen Community Outreach provides. ACO’s annual campaign, “Christmas In July” is just around the corner and we hope to raise additional funds to cover this loss. As a community, we thank you for your continued support - directly to ACO - and remember to “GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE!”.
Glenda May
Executive Director
Allen Community Outreach
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Press Release
Homelessness Will Soon Be On The Rise in Collin County
United Way Dallas funding eliminated to local agency after 26 years
Allen, TX May 27, 2011: Homelessness will soon be on the rise in Collin County. Announced at a most critical time, Allen Community Outreach received information from United Way Dallas that it will NOT receive funding this year to support vital programs to prevent homelessness and assist families with their rent or utilities.
Upon learning of the eliminated funding, a former client contacted the agency with the following statement: “I just read about the United Way not providing funds to this organization anymore. This is awful! If not for ACO, I would have been destitute after losing my job. You’re office sent me on an interview for a job 7 years ago, and I am STILL at that job to this day! They also helped my family with bills a few times and groceries quite often in the first year or so of my journey to get back on my feet. We would not have had Thanksgiving OR Christmas for about 4 years, without the ACO’s help. Thank you for all that you and the ACO has done for my family!” ~T.L.
With funding in jeopardy and no contributions to be received from United Way this year to support the programs of Allen Community Outreach, more families may be forced from their homes. “It’s a sad day,” said Executive Director, Glenda May. “In the 26 years we’ve been in the helping-people business, we’ve always had the backing of United Way. Folks need to be aware of this change when making donations to United Way thinking that they are contributing to our agency. For 16 years, ACO has been awarded a ‘1’ rating in stewardship by United Way. This means we are a transparent agency that is run well. This is just devastating as an organization,” May concluded.
“Last year we received $126,000 from United Way to fund our programs,” said ACO Board President, Matt Duncan. “United Way donations make up 15% of our annual budget. That’s a huge hit that we will take this year. The magnitude of this loss will be felt for years down the road,” concluded Duncan.
Krystal Herrington, Director of Programs explains- “ACO is first line of defense in their moments of financial crisis. Without these funds to assist families with housing and utilities we will have to turn hundreds of families away. The options for referring are very limited in Collin County.”
United Way of Dallas explains their focus has changed and they are now focused to fund programs in only three specific areas- improving education, income or health.
For the past 26 years, corporate employees have had the choice to designate funds to ACO through their annual United Way campaigns. Due to the loss of grant funding, the option to select ACO as a designated recipient is no longer available. Those individuals that believe in and wish to support Allen Community Outreach may do so by making direct contributions to the agency.
“Let me be clear that this decision was no way determined due to any wrong doing or management issues on our part. This was simply a change in the direction that United Way has chosen to proceed.” added May. “I hope donors will remember this when deciding where to make contributions.”
Allen Community Outreach’s annual campaign may be coming at the best possible time. Each July the agency celebrates “Christmas In July” by reminding the communities that there’s a need for donations all year, not just during the holiday season in November and December. This yearly fund drive sustains many of the programs provided to families, including rent and utility assistance, food and clothing. “Christmas In July’s GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE!” campaign will take on an additional purpose in 2011 as it must collect the extra dollars lost from United Way Dallas.
Give Where You Live! information will be mailed in late June to more than 40,000 Allen area households. This is the time for neighbors to make a donation to Allen Community Outreach to help each other. Return envelopes will be included and donations can be accepted online. “Now is the time to give where you live!” says May.
For more information on donations to the “Christmas In July” campaign or for assistance, please call 972-727-9131.