Latest news with #UnitedWayoftheWabashValley
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Even More Classic: The Classic Man at the Meadows now has a barber shop
Tony Brewer Sr. has made the most of his small business grant from the United Way of the Wabash Valley. MET 041025 CLASSIC BARBER BREWERS FRONT As the barber pole spins above them, Classic Man Fine Men's Clothing Store owner Tony Brewer, Sr. and his brother and barber, Teddy Brewer, pose for a photo in front of the new Classic Man Cuts barber shop Thursday in the Meadows Shopping Center. In December, UWWV distributed $1.5 million to 26 small-business owners, including Brewer's Classic Man Fine Men's Clothing Store in the Meadow Shopping Center, which received $98,000 for sales training and store expansion, including the addition of a barber shop. 'That grant has really sped up our progress as far as expansion,' Brewer said. 'We're looking forward to the opportunities that are forthcoming.' The new and improved Classic Man is celebrating its grand reopening Saturday. Brewer, who's owned Classic Man for just more than seven years, expanded his store to a vacant space adjacent to his, and transformed his original retail outlet into a barber shop. His brother Teddy, who has been cutting hair for more than 30 years, mans the barber shop, and Tony's in negotiations with another barber. Though the shop doesn't have firm hours of operation yet, as he hires more barbers, the hours will expand. During its soft opening this past week, it saw a number of walk-ins. 'A lot of people are looking for barbers,' Brewer said. 'There is a need for Black barber shops,' Teddy added. 'There's a demand.' Teddy said that he and his brother were sort of inspired by one another to expand with the barber shop. MET 041025 CLASSIC BARBER 02 The Classic Man Cuts Barber Teddy Brewer cuts customer Terry McGee's hair Thursday in the new barber shop that is part of the Classic Man Fine Men's Clothing Store in the Meadows Shopping Center. 'He supported that I was a barber, and I think I proved that I was serious about it and he took a chance on me to expand,' he said. 'We could've used the space for just clothing.' Tony and Teddy have installed an old-fashioned barber pole outside the shop that Teddy found online. 'The barber shop pole has sparked a lot of interest,' Tony said. 'For the older generation, that really meant something to them. People say, 'It's good to see one of those — it brings back memories.' A couple said, 'It made me want to get a haircut.' It's doing its job already,' he added with a laugh. More furniture will be coming to the barber shop — a table and a couple of chairs to lounge in. 'We want this to be kind of a social magnet where people can come in have a positive place to hang out and talk,' Tony said. 'We have two ground rules — stay away from politics and religion. We don't want it tense in here.' It couldn't get too tense, given the gracious presence of the brothers' mother, Denise Gard, who is always ready with a friendly greeting for patrons. 'You see my mother — that was the environment we were raised in,' Tony said. 'She taught us about kindness and treating people the way they want to be treated. 'I tell everybody, 'I'm the boss, but she's in charge.'' Tony lived in Indianapolis for a while and took notice of the more professional way those around him dressed. 'I started dressing a little better, and seeing there was a need in Terre Haute to do that, to dress without going to the big-box store,' he said. 'I try to represent more of a moderate look of what people wear here — more conservative colors, more conservative styles. But those who come in who want something a little more flashy, we carry that also.' Men's suits at Classic Man are reasonably priced, generally between $140 and $180. It's not easy finding quality inexpensive clothing, Tony said. 'That's an ongoing process,' he said. 'I'm still getting new providers of suits. I'm a small market, so I can't get some suit companies because I can't make the minimum $10,000 order. I have to be more picky and choosy about the suits I can get in my store.' Brewer's grant also allowed him to purchase a sign for the exterior of the Meadows Shopping Center, replacing the Ace Blinds 'We were going to do it eventually,' he said, 'but the grant allowed us to speed the process up.' Brewer will be dressing two men for a complete makeover for the upcoming Wabash Valley Recovery Center's Recovery is Beautiful gala April 19 at the Terre Haute Convention Center. Tickets for the gala and dinner are $100 at
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nine local non-profits receive over $134,000 in grants
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Nine local non-profits received a financial boost on Wednesday. The Wabash Valley Community Foundation awarded over $134,000 in grants to the organizations. The funding will help non-profits accomplish things like buying new equipment and supplies and creating new programs. For the United Way of the Wabash Valley, the funding will support the Home Down Payment Assistance Program. It's a program that helps offset down payment and closing costs that might otherwise prohibit families from owning a home. 'If a family can own a home, we know that through many studies and experiences, that they will experience better health both mentally and physically. Their children will do better in school. Families will be able to put money into savings,' said Dorothy Chambers, Interim Executive Director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley. The grants are made possible by numerous endowment funds created by individuals, families, and organizations. Wabash Valley Community Foundation President and CEO Beth Tevlin said Lilly Endowment is doubling the donations they receive. She said that in Vigo County, the organization only has about $350,000 left to raise to reach just over $1 million. If the organization does that, it will receive $2 million from Lilly Endowment. A full list of Wednesday's grant recipients is below: American Red Cross – $2,500 in support of marketing costs to raise awareness of blood drives within Vigo County. City of Terre Haute – $10,000 for the purchase and installation of two water fountains in Terre Haute that are located near heavily populated walking trails. Crossroads of America Council – Boy Scouts – $10,000 to assist with membership costs and associated fees for Vigo County families. Indiana American Academy of Pediatrics – $15,000 in support of the 'Reach Out and Read' program which provides new books to children at well-child visits for the purpose of promoting early literacy and school readiness. Program is delivered and followed up by trained pediatricians. SHINE Foster Family Resources – $4,900 for the purchase of essential teen clothing and clothing racks. Terre Haute Children's Museum – $25,000 in support of making 'Toddler Tuesdays' which provides activities for children ages three months to five years old, more accessible. Terre Haute Symphony Association – $5,000 in support of afterschool and summer programming in collaboration with the YMCA and Camp Navigate. United Way of the Wabash Valley – $24,000 in support of the Home Down Payment Assistance Program. Wabash Valley Master Gardeners – $17,640 for the purchase of a tractor and additional gardening equipment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Way grants $90K to boost financial literacy in Wabash Valley
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Over the last two years, the United Way of the Wabash Valley has awarded a total of $90,000. Indiana State University received $20,000 and Junior Achievement in Wabash Valley received $70,000 through its Financial Freedom for All grant. The United Way said these funds will help support programs that equip participants with essential financial management skills. United Way grants for financial literacy programs Indiana State University's (ISU) Student Success and Advising Center, along with the Office of Financial Aid, will use the money to offer financial literacy workshops that will cover budgeting, savings, financial planning, helping students set responsible financial goals, tracking expenses and making informed spending decisions. These workshops will be offered to Pell Grant-eligible students. According to the United Way, this grant will also help fund the creation of a Textbook Resource Library. The library will provide textbooks to 100 and 200-level Foundation Studies courses and classes with high drop, fail and withdraw rates. The library will be located in Normal Hall's Student Success and Advising Center and will also provide additional help to students through tutoring and peer coaching services. Additionally, the United Ways said ISU will use some of the grant money to purchase 'short-term loaner laptops' for students whose devices aren't up to college-level technology requirements. The Junior Achievement in Wabash Valley (JA) will use its award to fund and facilitate a Family Financial Literacy Night. The program will help equip individuals with essential financial knowledge and skills to promote sustainable economic stability, said the United Way. United Way of the Wabash Valley & City of Terre Haute partner to offer small business and nonprofit grants The Family Financial Literacy Night will be held across the United Way's six-county service area (Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo and Clark Counties) and will be available for families, individuals and children. 'By addressing both the immediate needs of families and the future of their children, this program aims to break the cycle of financial insecurity and build a more resilient, economically stable Wabash Valley,' said the United Way. Adult participants can also enroll in the JA Young Adult Financial Literacy program, which covers budgeting, savings, taxes, credit, debit and more. While children of the program participants can participate in financial literacy education provided by JA. 'I believe one of the most powerful ways to engage students is to let them take charge of their own learning,' United Way of the Wabash Valley volunteer Summer Long stated. 'Programs such as these not only allow students to engage in learning but allows families to participate and learn as well. These types of programs are important to our community to help us feel united and continue to make the Wabash Valley a better place to raise a family.' To learn more about the Financial Freedom for All grant and the United Way of the Wabash Valley, you can visit their website here. United Way announces Successful Parenting Initiative grant Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
