$85,000 investment announced by United Way of the Plains on Juneteenth

WICHITA, Kan., June 19, 2024 — United Way of the Plains has announced funding for 10 local nonprofits as part of its ongoing work to help close gaps and disparities in underserved communities in the Wichita metropolitan region. This is the third year the Promise on the Plains program has provided financial contributions to strengthen human service agencies operating in these areas. Grants ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 were awarded to these nonprofits.

• The Center
  Providing healthy food options for citizens in marginalized ZIP codes.
• Community Operations Recover Empowerment
  Feeding families and providing educational enrichment to children.
• The Gift of Chess
  Providing children from underserved communities with a new outlet that creates opportunity and connections while cultivating life skills.
• Hope Community Development Corporation
  Developing vibrant communities through innovation and partnership for more affordable housing to eradicate homelessness.
• The Kansas African American Museum
  Telling the stories that have not been told through community education and programming.
• La Familia Senior/Community Center
  Offering more health options for vulnerable populations in Wichita.
• Prairie Rose Wellbriety Foundation
  Addressing the trauma of Native American people impacted by addiction.
• Progressive Community Outreach Program
  Combatting hunger for families that can’t make ends meet.
• Urban League of Kansas
  Focused on providing equal opportunities for stable housing.
• Wichita Indochinese Center
  Providing equal access to job training skills for all in our community.

Pete Najera, President and CEO of United Way of the Plains, said, “Announcing this funding on Juneteenth is one way we fulfill our ongoing promise to help people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds succeed. These grants build more organizational capacity among the charities in our community that are dedicated to unlocking the potential of everyone in south central Kansas.”

Abel Frederic, Vice President for Community Impact at United Way, facilitated the funding selection process with the help of community volunteers that reviewed the applications and made recommendations. Frederic said, “We announce these grants every year on Juneteenth, a day commemorating when everyone in our country finally understood that they were free. It’s one way of celebrating the impact of these nonprofits while providing them with the resources they need to continue their important work.”

Financial partners who made the 2024 Promise on the Plains grants possible include Gene and Yolanda Camarena, Meritrust Credit Union, Credit Union of America, Golden Plains Credit Union and other private donors.

View our video announcement about these investments.

Promise on the Plains is one of three funding streams offered annually by United Way of the Plains. The other two community grant opportunities are Opportunity on the Plains and Impact on the Plains. Recipients of 2024-2025 Opportunity on the Plains funding were announced on April 10. Impact on the Plains will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Learn more about all three community investments on the website.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Prather, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Community Engagement Officer, (316) 267-1321, aprather@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.