Latest news with #TygartValleyUnitedWay
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Virginia declines to join nationwide lawsuit over cancellation of AmeriCorps
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — In West Virginia, 250 AmeriCorps members lost their jobs over the weekend due to cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), yet the state has declined to join a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over the cancellation of that funding. The Tygart Valley United Way said earlier this week that DOGE's budget cuts would have a direct effect on its AmeriCorps members, as 80% of its Flipside Afterschool Program was employed by AmeriCorps members. The Flipside Afterschool Program provides one-on-one interventions, support, and tutoring for fifth through eighth-grade students at four middle schools in Marion County. Staff of the program were notified of these cuts only 4 weeks before the end of the school year. 12 News spoke with Shannon Yost, Flipside Afterschool Director at the United Way, on how these cuts will impact students of the program. 'That puts not only an undue hardship on our Afterschool Program and us having to scramble and figure out what the next four weeks are going to look like because we don't want service to be interrupted for these students who need help Afterschool, who need a safe place to go after school. We don't want this to affect them; however, that's a majority of our staffing is AmeriCorps,' said Yost. DOGE cuts AmeriCorps programs across West Virginia Thirteen members of AmeriCorps worked with Tygart Valley United Way directly and immediately lost their contracts as the cuts hit. 'There are six key areas of AmeriCorps service, from environmental stewardship to financial stability, to education, to veteran and military families, so not only is our program being affected by these cuts, but 32,000 individuals have suddenly lost their positions. Americorps members are not considered employees of the organizations with which they served, so they are not eligible for any sort of unemployment compensation,' Yost said. Most states lost the entirety of their AmeriCorps programs, though Yost said that West Virginia was 'fortunate enough' to keep a few. Nationally, 1,000 programs were terminated due to DOGE's cuts. 'This is not an abuse of funding, these are members who are working for very low wages. They are just making enough to get by, and who are the people that go into southern West Virginia when it floods and help with cleanup efforts? They are working with veterans and their families to make sure that they have all of the resources they need. They are answering the phones at our United Way when people call the 211 line and need resources to pay their bills,' said Yost. Yost is encouraging the public to contact Congress and local legislators to help in pursuing change for the fate of AmeriCorps. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tygart Valley United Way hosts Laugh United fundraiser
ELKINS, (WBOY) — The Tygart Valley United Way hosted an unforgettable evening of cocktails and comedy on Saturday, all designed to raise funds while furthering its mission to mobilize the community and provide much-needed assistance to those facing hardships. The highlight of the night was a performance by national comedian and illusionist Joshua Jordan, whose blend of humor and magic kept the audience entertained and laughing throughout the evening. United Way officials expressed that their event, Laugh United, is not only a fun way to unwind but also a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the community. Fasnacht: A fiery farewell to Old Man Winter Director of Community Engagement for the Tygart Valley United Way Jolynn Powers was happy to see the event come together. 'United Way is kind of a pass-through for your funds, we don't keep your funds,' Powers said. 'We take your funds, we gather them together, that $600,000 and redistribute it to the most important nonprofits in your communities and those nonprofits are the ones that are in direct service to your families, to your seniors, to your homeless every day.' By attending, participants not only enjoyed a night full of laughter, but also helped support a worthy cause, contributing to United Way's continued efforts to assist those facing challenges in the region. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tygart Valley United Way celebrates reaching annual campaign goal
FAIRMONT — Lowering the goal made it easier to attain for the Tygart Valley United Way after last year's struggle to reach $625,000. 'Fundraising is changing,' CEO Brett White said Thursday at its annual luncheon to celebrate the campaign. 'The world has changed and I think the fabric of how we fundraise has changed, but we're just really thankful we were able to get to the goal again this year to put that money right back into the community.' This cycle, the Tygart Valley United Way set its fall fundraising campaign goal at $600,000 during its August launch. Previously, the organization beat its $625,000 goal by $6,000. But it was an uphill climb, one most of its sister United Way branches across the state couldn't make. Although the Tygart Valley United Way was able to beat its $600,000 goal again, it only cleared it by about $2,000. White said his organization has a tremendous impact on the community. They fund 42 different programs at 30 health and human service agencies in five counties. This is the 19th year in a row they've reached their goal. The nonprofit serves agencies in Marion, Taylor, Randolph, Barbour and Tucker counties. 'They rely on these dollars,' White said. 'It's critical to their programming.' A lot of nonprofits rely on federal funding, White said. White is waiting to see what will happen with the turmoil surrounding President Donald Trump's funding freeze. 'I think it's certainly going to affect nonprofits in the community,' he said. With federal funding in question due to radically different spending priorities, White said fundraising and donations will be more important than ever. The Rotary Club of South Fairmont gave a $75,000 check to the campaign as well. It's the largest amount raised from the 2024 Celebration of Lights. 'When we started that project, it was meant specifically as a fundraiser for the United Way,' Rotary Treasurer Jim Chadwell said. 'It's very hard for an individual person to decide why the Literacy Volunteers versus the DAV versus scouting. They're all great organizations, so we've got to meet the needs of the community. We think the United Way is best suited for that.' Dani DeVito, United Way Board member, received the Rev. Jack 'Donal' Squires award from the United Way. DeVito said she's been serving on the board for several years, and has chaired several different affinity groups such as Women United and Market in the Park. DeVito said the United Way allows its partner agencies to rely on other monetary streams besides grant funding. A lot of people are struggling right now, so what the United Way does is important, she said. The agencies the United Way funds help fill educational needs, after school care, put food on the table, keep lights on or even help with disaster recovery. The surprise award was a welcome one. 'I was shocked, I was trying so hard not to cry,' DeVito said. 'I had no idea that was coming at all. It really means a lot to be recognized for the work I do, because it doesn't feel like work. I love helping this organization. It's just an incredible honor.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fairmont State University raises thousands of dollars for Tygart Valley United Way
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — The Tygart Valley United Way held a celebration lunch inside Fairmont State University's (FSU) Falcon Center on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the more than $30,000 raised this year for Fairmont State's 'United for Impact' workplace campaign. 'We're excited to be here at Fairmont State today, celebrating another successful campaign,' Tygart Valley United Way CEO Brett White said. 'When the community is in need, Fairmont State is always there. So we're thrilled to be here to celebrate with them today.' White told 12 News that Fairmont State's campaign is the second-largest workplace campaign in the Tygart Valley and that it's part of the Tygart Valley United Way's overall community campaign, which has a goal of raising $600,000 for the Tygart Valley region this year. 'Every single dollar goes right back to work of helping support 42 different programs and 30 health and human service agencies,' he added. According to White, the Tygart Valley United Way has reached about 75% of its campaign goal and is working hard to bring in the remaining dollars by the end of February. However, he said that this large donation from Fairmont State University will be a big help. United Way holds point-in-time homeless count in Harrison County 'Every little bit counts, and every little bit goes every direction and helps every agency here within the Tygart Valley region,' FSU Senior Director of Career Services and Community Engagement Susan Rodriguez said. Rodriguez stated that FSU was able to raise more than $30,000 throughout the year through different initiatives such as a chili cookoff and jeans day. 'Just all these things that contribute—that go to the actual campaign goal here that we've set here at Fairmont State University,' she added. The money raised will be allocated to Tygart Valley United Way directly, which will distribute the funds among its different programs and health/human service agencies at its discretion. However, Rodriguez added that people who make campaign pledges are able to designate specific agencies to receive the funds such as the Disability Action Center and soup kitchen. This celebration luncheon is held annually between Tygart Valley United Way and Fairmont State University as a way to recognize FSU staff and faculty that contribute to this workplace campaign—including the team captains. 'Our team captains are very important that they kind of spearhead the group, and get them motivated and get them going to contribute to the United Way campaign,' Rodriguez added. Rodriguez said that she's grateful to everybody who contributed to this effort, adding that the United Way is very important to the local community and the agencies it serves. 'It's very rewarding,' she added. 'They can't survive if they don't have our help, […] it's a very key role that we play a little small part of.' FSU works with Tygart Valley United Way annually on their Day of Action and also collaborates on volunteer initiatives and different projects throughout the year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
