SIDNEY — The Shelby County United Way is helping to find solutions to the current drug climate in Shelby County. Scott Barr, director, serves on the Shelby County Drug Task Force that is comprised of over 30 community organizations that meet monthly. Barr moderates community conversations on behalf of the task force with different panelists attending.
The Shelby County United Way provides funding to partner agencies, community initiatives, and special project recipients to assist the community. Samaritan Works is a partner agency that has two sober living homes, one home for men and one home for women, located on the Sidney First United Methodist campus. They also have a graduate home for clients that graduate from the program and want to maintain some levels of structure and accountability. Recently through a special project grant and additional community funding, the Sidney Police Department was able to purchase and train an additional K-9 dog for the department.
Another special project grant was awarded to the Sidney Police Department and the Shelby County Counseling Center to assist clients in need of transportation to maintain their appointments using Shelby County Transit. The IMPACT Program is starting the 7th school year in providing families free family counseling through the Family Resource Center. This program is administered through the Shelby County Juvenile Court and the Midwest Regional ESC. Referrals come from the local school districts and child care centers.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will be opening a 20-bed transitional facility on their property. Grants were obtained to help build the facility. Once operational, the program will be added as a partner agency for allocation funding. A $10,000 special project grant has already been awarded to assist with operational costs if the facility is open before July 1, 2018. To learn more about any of these programs, contact Barr at 937-492-2101 or call the 24 hour call center at 211 or 855-663-8333 from a cell phone number issued outside of Shelby County.
The next public community conversation to discuss the current drug climate in Shelby County will be held Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Sidney American Legion on Fourth Street.
Through the fourth week of the campaign, $212,680 has been pledged towards the annual goal of $1,325,000. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or text SHELBY to 40403.
