By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The United Way of Ellis County kicked off its annual fundraising Campaign on Friday at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays.
This year's fundraising goal is $350,000. The campaign's theme is "United We Thrive."
The number of non-profit agencies that the United Way funds varies each year, but last year it was 13.
These included:
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Cancer Council of Ellis County
• Center for Life Experience
• Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
• Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK)
• STEM Harvest
• Salvation Army
• First Call for Help
• Hays Senior Center
• Options Domestic Violence and Sexual Assualt Services
• Parents and Children Together
• Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled
• Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center
"Without access to resources, people experiencing hard times will have nowhere to turn," Erica Berges, United Way executive director, said. "They will have no chance to get back on their feet and thrive."
United Way has expanded its core missions to include youth opportunities, a healthy community, financial security and community resiliency.
Representatives of CASA and the Healing Hearts grief support group sponsored by the Center for Life Experience shared their stories during the Hays Chamber luncheon on Friday.
Brooke Moore, a court appointed special advocate, talked about the first case she was assigned as a volunteer. The child was a 13-year-old boy, who she called Kevin (not his real name), who had been removed from his home for neglect.
CASA volunteers are assigned to child in need of care cases when children are removed from homes for abuse or neglect. It is their job to speak with family members, school officials, caretakers, therapists and anyone else involved in cases so they can speak for the child in court.
Kevin's parents, who had mental health issues, struggled to take care of themselves and were not taking care of Kevin. When he lived with his parents, he was forced to act as an adult and ensure his family was cared for and had food.
He was bounced back and forth between a stable home with his aunt and an unstable home with his parents.
When he was with his aunt, he thrived. The community and school supported him, and he had many friends.
However, he was chronically absent from school when he lived with his parents and began falling behind in his academics.
Through a series of interviews, Moore learned more about Kevin's situation. Although he loves his parents, he wrote a letter to the judge explaining that he preferred to live with his aunt, where he was safe and cared for.
Although a difficult decision, his parents finally signed permanent custody over to Kevin's aunt.
"I love what I do. I love that you support that," Moore said.
Vaughn Marcum of WaKeeney talked about his experience with Healing Hearts.
The Center for Life Experience offers three grief support groups:
• Healing After Loss of Suicide (HALOS)
• Healing After Loss (for those who are grieving for adults)
• Healing Hearts (for those who are grieving the loss of children)
Marcum said he and his wife lost five family members and a close friend within about two years.
However, the most difficult death was their grandson, Mason, who died when the vehicle he was driving rear-ended a tanker truck.
He attended Healing Hearts, where he found comfort in sharing his grief.
"They even cried with me," he said.
Through tears, he urged the audience to donate to the United Way campaign.
"Thank God for Healing Hearts. Thank God for the United Way. Please don't stop," he said of supporting United Way.
The United Way also sponsors a youth financial literacy course, Reality U. This year, the event will be Nov. 6 and 7. Volunteer signup will be released soon.
The United Way collects change through its Pumpkin Packers during the three homecoming parades throughout the fall in Hays.
United Way is also in the process of updating its Ellis County Resources guide.
If you need assistance in Ellis County and across the state, you can dial 211 for information on community resources.
You can connect with volunteer opportunities in Ellis County at www.liveunited.us/nwksvolunteerorg.
You can donate to United Way in various ways. You can make a payroll deduction through your employer, make a one-time donation or make a round-up donation through your checking account.
You can donate to United Way online at liveunited.us. Click on the donate button in the upper right corner of the page.