In mid-April, the Greater Twin Cities United Way (GTCUW) made cuts in their community grants. All United Way funded programs received a reduction in funding, affecting 150 GTCUW partner agencies in the Twin Cities. Unanticipated increases in donor designations decreased the amount of grant support available from the GTCUW for community organizations like Keystone Community Services.
United Way’s annual grants to Keystone were decreased by $300,000 and the grant reductions go into effect July 1, 2017. The elimination of funding from GTCUW to Keystone was not due to program results in Keystone programs as our programs have met or exceeded their goals for our GTCUW grants.
This unexpected news will have a direct impact on how Keystone programs are able to meet the needs of our community. The reductions in support from United Way have had the largest impact on Keystone’s youth programs and as a result Keystone has cut program hours at our youth program at the West 7th Community Center, decreased staffing at our Youth Express program and closed our Hmong Youth & Family Program at the McDonough Community Center as of June 2nd.
Over 300 youth and their families have been affected by these program changes and Keystone staff and board are working together with our community to find additional resources to support youth in our community who participate in our youth programs. Many of the families whose children attend our afterschool programs have limited English skills and rely on our programs to help their children be successful in school and have the foundation for a successful future. Our community is counting on Keystone to continue these needed services.
For 78 years, Keystone has been a trusted place that our community has turned to when they need support. Our programs help people of all ages, connect neighbors to one another and strengthen our community.
Keystone programs like meals on wheels, food shelves and afterschool programs help over 30,000 people every year at 7 community locations. We help seniors live independently in the community, provide families with food and resources so they can stabilize their lives, and help youth gain the academic and social skills they need to succeed.
Your support of Keystone is more important than ever. This year, we need $1.2 million dollars for our youth, senior and basic needs programs that help 8,000 people every month. Here are the many ways you can help the Keystone community and support in your neighbors in need:
-
Invest in Keystone
- Make a sustaining gift to Keystone with a convenient monthly donation. Use our GiveMN page to set that up.
- Make a one-time gift. Give online or send a check to Keystone (2000 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104)
- Other ways to invest in Keystone – Give stock, make a match, leave a legacy and so much more. Read the variety of ways to donate online here.
- Contact Jen at jwinterfeldt@keystoneservices.org or 651-603-6650 with any of your donation ideas.
-
Give your time
- Volunteer delivering meals on wheels to homebound seniors, tutor a young person in our afterschool program, or support clients in our food shelves.
- Organize a bike drive or food drive
- Check out our volunteer opportunities and start the conversation today by visiting here.
-
Contribute
- Donate used bikes to the Express Bike Shop
- Donate food to our food shelves
- Contribute school supplies for our youth
- Visit here to read all of the in-kind gifts you can contribute to support Keystone’s mission.