• Supporting programs that make a difference
  

In addition to its initiatives to help children, provide families with financial stability, United Way supports several programs in the local community that make an impact in just about every person's life here in Martinsville and Henry County through Agency Allocations.

Each year, dozens of volunteers join United Way to help decide how the dollars raised in its Annual Campaign should be allocated. These volunteers work tirelessly to read proposals, understand financial statements and visit local organizations that have applied for United Way Funding. After much debate, discussion and endless hours, the volunteers present their recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors for approval.

The following organizations received funding through the United Way Agency Allocations Process in 2010:

• EDUCATION: Make a difference by supporting programs that help adults and children reach their fullest potential.
  
• Programs that help kids at: Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Focus on Youth, Family YMCAs, Fieldale Community Center, Piedmont Community Services, For The Children
• Make sure children are ready to succeed when they enter kindergarten by supporting United Way's Success By 6 Initiative, which provides parenting classes, workshops for local childcare providers.
• Support United Way's partnership with the Smart Beginnings Collaborative to provide a one-stop center at Liberty Fair Mall, The Starting Place, for parents and caregivers to find the help they need.
• Ensure that all nonprofits in our community are effective through the Nonprofit Leaders Network which provides training, technical assistance and consulting services.
  
  
  INCOME: Make a difference for individuals and families in our community by helping them become self-sufficient.
• Help people in financial crisis by supporting agencies like Grace Network, Salvation Army and CONTACT.
• Support the United Way's HOPE (Helping Other Progress Economically) Initiative, which provides free income tax preparation and financial literacy classes for adults and youth. HOPE also provides the Dollars and Sense event that teaches high school students how to manage their future earnings more successfully. The HOPE Initiative also helps young, working mothers become more financially stable through the Money Management Mentoring Program.
• Help the mentally and physically challenged in our community achieve independence and work skills through programs and services at Stepping Stones and MARC Workshop.
  
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  HEALTH: Make a difference by supporting programs that provide health services to our community.
  
• Help these agencies continue to provide quality services and programs to those in need: Adult Day Care of Martinsville & Henry County, American Red Cross, Citizens Against Family Violence, and Mental Health Association.
• Make sure everyone has access to emergency medical assistance through: Axton Life Saving Crew, Bassett Rescue Squad, Fieldale-Collinsville Vol. Rescue Squad, and Horsepasture Vol. Rescue Squad.
• Help young people to avoid risky behaviors and grow up to be healthy adults through prevention programs at Piedmont Community Services.
• Help United Way provide discount prescription drug coverage to families through its partnership with FamilyWize, and provide health coverage to young children through a partnership with The Starting Place.