Published on: Thursday, January 24, 2013

By Donna Broadway

ROCKVILLE - United Way of the National Capital Area presented 23 Montgomery County charities with grants totaling nearly a quarter million dollars.

The check presentation occurred at the Jan. 22 Rockville City Council Meeting. Kelly Brinkley, chief operating officer of United Way NCA, presented the check to representatives of the charities. Council President Nancy Navarro and County Executive Ike Leggett were on hand to congratulate grant recipients.

“While we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, we recognize the need of our neighbors surpasses our financial resources. This is why it is so important for individuals to give,” Brinkley said.

The grants were a part of a total $1.65 million United Way NCA awarded to nonprofits this year.  Each of the grants addresses areas of education, health, financial stability and basic needs.

Community Ministries of Rockville received two grants, which will be used to help fund the Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, a program that provides primary care, health education and social services to low-income, uninsured adult residents of Montgomery County. The Latino Outreach Program, a family-based program which offers literacy and language classes as well as a citizenship program to recent immigrants.

“Not only has United Way supported our clinic's efforts through the award of community impact funds, but in the true spirit of partnership, the United Way hosted a free health fair at the clinic which focused on the health care needs of diabetics living in our community,” said Lynn Arndt, director of development for Community Ministries.

Organizations submitted 111 proposals totaling $2,233,654. Less than ten percent of proposals were approved.

Recipients  include:  CASA de Maryland, Inc., Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Child Center and Adult Services, Inc., College Tracks, Inc., Community Ministries of Rockville, Crossway Community, Family Services, Inc., Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County, Interfaith Works, JCC of Greater Washington, Literacy Council of Montgomery County, MD, Inc., Lutheran Social Services, Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, Mobile Medical Care, National Capital Poison Center, Neediest Kids, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, ReSET, St. Luke’s House, The Senior Connection, Woodworkers for Children