COVID-19 Relief Offered Through Community Emergency Needs Fund
United Way of Coastal Georgia (UWCGA) and the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation have combined forces and announced that, since April, they have awarded a total of $664,863 in grants to agencies in Glynn, Camden and McIntosh counties providing support to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to the emergent needs of the residents of Coastal Georgia impacted by this growing health concern and the associated economic and public consequences, these charitable grants will fund agencies within our community with proven leadership and expertise in providing basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, prescriptions/healthcare, and transportation.
The fund is designed to complement the work of local entities, and to expand our ability to support individuals and families experiencing hardship because of the COVID-19 outbreak. By providing immediate, mid-, and long-term support to organizations who serve our community’s most vulnerable, the fund helps agencies tackle issues caused by the closures and disruptions during a time of an emergency. The Emergency Needs Fund was initially established by a significant community-wide state of emergency following Hurricane Irma in 2018.
The first two grant cycles focused on programs related to food distribution and health services and the last two cycles added economic recovery and business restoration layers to the criteria.
“The current initiatives through the Emergency Needs Fund began with the Communities Foundation wanting to immediately address the anticipated economic strain caused by impending COVID-19 social distancing and business closures. Our partnership with local agencies allowed us to quickly identify organizations that would be on the forefront of helping those most vulnerable and immediately assist them.” stated Justin Callaway, Executive Director of UWCGA. 
Janelle Harvey, UWCGA Community Impact Manager, added, “as every resident, business owner, employee, first responder, and school-age child has realized, we have all been affected by COVID-19. It is inspiring to see the generosity of our community as we came together to support local organizations on the forefront of helping our neighbors most in need.”
Basic Needs, First Distribution – Supporting organizations responding to immediate, basic needs.
America’s Second Harvest
Boys & Girls Club
Camden Community Crisis Center
Coastal Community Health Services
Coastal Outreach Academies, Inc.
Communities in Schools
Darien United Methodist Church
FaithWorks Ministry
Grace House
House of Hope
Morningstar
Safe Harbor Street Outreach
Salvation Army (Brunswick)
St. Andrews Church (Darien)
YMCA of the Golden Isles
Basic Needs/Job Loss Assistance – Supporting organizations responding to immediate, basic needs – especially due to job loss.
Camden Community Crisis Center
CASA Glynn
Centered for Life
FaithWorks
Hospice of the Golden Isles
Methodist Home for Children and Youth
Safe Harbor
Salvation Army – Brunswick
St. Simons Presbyterian Church
Star Foundation
YMCA of the Golden Isles
Return to Work Distributions – Supporting organizations providing services allowing residents to return to work.
Boys & Girls Club
Camden House
Centered for Life
Coastal Coalition for Children
Coastal Counseling Center
Coastal Outreach Academies, Inc.
Family Connections
Safe Harbor Street Outreach
St. Simons Presbyterian Church
Star Foundation
YMCA of the Golden Isles
Organizational Capacity/Restoration Distributions – Supporting organizations experiencing an increased demand for services or increased expense in delivering services due to the crisis.
America’s Second Harvest
Camden House
Centered for Life
Glynn Crisis Center
Grace House
Hospice
House of Hope
Morningstar
Ravens of Elijah Ministries
Red Cross
Safe Harbor
STAR Foundation
YMCA