United Way of Dane County Awards $25,000 to Local Organizations Supporting Harmony Apartment Residents
Madison, WI (June 17, 2024) – This spring, United Way of Dane County awarded 2024 Micro-Investment Grants. A total of $25,000 in grant funding was awarded to four grassroots organizations who are working on projects promoting engagement, healing and connection for residents of the Harmony at Grandview Commons Apartments.
Nine years ago, United Way’s Micro-Investments process was developed from community feedback and conversations among members of the Board of Directors and Vision Council, aiming to create an opportunity for grassroots organizations working to decrease racial disparities to apply for funding outside of United Way’s regular investment cycle. Through this process, we work to increase relationship building and address systemic inequities facing specific communities in Dane County.
This year the Harmony at Grandview Commons Apartments was selected as our focus after last year’s tragedy, where 15-year-old Kyesha Miller lost her life, and three other teens were injured after a shooting outside the apartment complex. A task force comprised of United Way Community Engagement & Inclusion Committee (CEIC) members and Harmony Apartments residents was created to make funding recommendations for programs supporting youth and family services at the apartment complex.
“As a member of United Way’s Community Engagement and Inclusion Committee, it’s exciting to see the United Way’s commitment to collective impact,” says Linda Ketcham, Executive Director of Madison-area Urban Ministry, Inc. “These grants are an investment in the health, safety and healing of the Harmony Apartments neighborhood. Guided by the residents of the neighborhood, the initiatives that will be provided will strengthen relationships, provide positive youth and family activities while helping support relationship building among neighborhood residents.”
“It was inspiring to witness the true passion that poured out of the Harmony Apartment residents during our micro-investment process,” said Keetra Burnette, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, United Way of Dane County. “I am confident that their resident-identified initiatives will achieve the goals they established.”
One-time grants of up to $5,000 were awarded to projects to achieve the following goals at the Harmony Apartments:
• Provide youth with constructive and engaging onsite activities.
• Strengthen resident engagement by building a sense of community among Harmony Apartments residents.
• Increase the sense of safety that Harmony Apartments residents feel in their neighborhood.
The House Urban Arts Initiative Dance Program –
semi-weekly dance instruction and emergent needs support for Harmony Apartment youth, ages 12-18.
Dream Camp –
A summer program providing male-identifying youth, ages 14-18, with mentorship, violence prevention training, goal-setting workshops and classes in creative expression.
Madison Gospel 5K Foundation –
It’s All About Family at Harmony Apartments – A series of activities for Harmony Apartment residents focused on engagement and promoting mental and physical well-being. Activities include painting for youth and adults, a Mosaic Dinner for two families who have lost children to gun violence and a Fall Festival.
More Than a Conqueror Resiliency Revealed to Prosperity –
a series of activities for youth and adults at the Harmony Apartments to build community, support mental well-being and promote life skills education.
Righteous Voice Mentoring Teens of Harmony –
bi-weekly, peer-led program promoting character building and connection for teen residents of the Harmony Apartments.
United Way knows that collective impact is the key to community well-being and the micro-investment grant process is an example of working collaboratively with our community, network of local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors, volunteers and families to address big picture issues that no one individual or organization can solve alone.
For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Ashley Manthei, Director of Communications, United Way of Dane County at (608) 416-0401 or Ashley.manthei@uwdc.org.
About United Way of Dane County
For more than 100 years, United Way of Dane County has led in mobilizing the caring power of our community by closing gaps and opening opportunities so all can thrive. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibility. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to being a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change – working collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.