United Community and Family Services’ Governor’s Non-profit Grant Program award of $100,000 funded the purchase of a generator for our Sheltering Arms Residential Care Center. This 30 resident home also houses our Ross Adult Day Center, supporting frail elderly.  Prior to the award, UCFS’ residents and clients who utilize oxygen on a daily basis were at risk during a power outage. A generator was nonexistent and out of fiscal reach for us to purchase independently. The generator now allows programs to operate uninterrupted in the event of a power failure. Also, the generator ensures safe maintenance of food supply without the risk of spoilage, given a long-term power outage situation. In the first year after its installation, the generator has been utilized three times.

United Community and Family Services’ Governor’s Non-profit Grant Program award of $121,000 funded the purchase of two 12-passenger Wheelchair accessible buses for our Ross Adult Day Center. Attendance at the day center allows clients to remain at home in the community, instead of moving into long-term care facilities. At the day center, they receive medical, social and recreational services. The specialized vehicles allow quality transportation to the 30-40 clients per day that utilize the day center. NGP funding allowed UCFS to replace two vehicles that were 10 years old, each with over 140,000 miles, and required extensive repairs on a regular basis and were frequently out of service. UCFS’ vans are driven by trained staff who not only ensure the safety of the clients as they go door-to-door to and from the day center, but also care for their personal needs during the trip.