Butler County agencies receive CareSource funding

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in November at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County to celebrate its new office location in Hamilton. Rep. Warren Davidson joined City Manager Joshua Smith at the event held last year. The agency is one of several in the area to receive grant money this year from the CareSource Foundation. FILE

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in November at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County to celebrate its new office location in Hamilton. Rep. Warren Davidson joined City Manager Joshua Smith at the event held last year. The agency is one of several in the area to receive grant money this year from the CareSource Foundation. FILE

Big Brothers Big Sisters officials say grant money like that received from an area foundation helps keep the agency’s doors open in Butler County.

In the first half of 2017, the CareSource Foundation awarded $378,000 to 55 nonprofit organizations throughout Ohio.

The Butler County area has received more than $50,000 in funding, including Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The CareSource Foundation provides grants to nonprofits that are working to eliminate poverty, provide services to low and moderate-income families, build healthier communities and develop innovative approaches to address significant social issues.

MORE: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County has new Hamilton location

Big Brothers Big Sisters Vice President of Development Julie Dichtl said the foundation’s benevolence helps agencies address “operational issues,” which helps keep the lights on and the doors open.

“We had applied for funding for a second time and received it,” she said. “”The one great thing about CareSource is they allow you to apply for funding for operational expenses. They are very forward thinking because for a long time funders only allowed you to apply for project funding. But if you can’t pay the utilities or the rent, then you can’t keep your doors open, and for us that means not being able to serve the children here in Butler County.”

In November of 2016, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County celebrated the agency’s new office in Hamilton, 1755 S. Erie Blvd., Suite B.

MORE: Middletown’s Families First expand efforts to fight infant mortality

The $5,000 in new funding from CareSource will help with operational expenses at the new location, according to Dichtl, and with equipment like computers to help keep the operation running.

“The funding will help us pay for the costs of running the daily operations here,” Dichtl said. “You have to pay your bill in order to maintain the office and do your work.”

According to Cathy Ponitz, vice president of the CareSource Foundation, the foundation has awarded more than 1,130 grants and invested nearly $15 million into nonprofit organizations to strengthen families and support communities throughout Ohio.

“Health care is only one component in the complex lives of our consumers,” Ponitz said. “Our grantees have become outstanding partners in our work to eradicate poverty and create healthier families and communities.”


LOCAL AGENCIES GET FUNDS

The following agencies in the Butler County/Cincinnati area shared in $56,000 in CareSource funding:

Bethany House Services

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County

Center for Independent Living Options

Community Matters

Council on Child Abuse

Elderly Persons in Community

Family Promise of Butler County

Santa Maria Community Services

St. Vincent de Paul Society, Seton Parish Conference

Wesley Community Services

About the Author