HEALTHY COMMUNITY

Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

At United Way of the River Cities, we help people overcome barriers to good health by improving access to nutritious food and quality health education and services, including preventative care, maternal and child health, mental health support, and more.

PROJECT PERIOD.

With 2 in 5 people struggling to purchase period products due to lack of income, the United Way of the River Cities set out to tackle an unmet need in the community.

During the 2024 Week of Action, United Way of the River Cities collected donations of menstrual products for Project Period., an initiative to provide hygiene supplies to those in need.

In just over a month of collecting donations plus a full week of kit-packing events, Project Period. and a host of volunteers — including Bloss & Dillard, the Junior League of Huntington Sustainers and First Stage Theatre Company — created 1,168 one-month menstrual hygiene kits, surpassing our original goal of 800 kits!

Thanks to our sponsors who also helped make this possible: OVP Health Foundation, Ally Layman – City of Huntington Councilwoman, and Chad D Barry, LC.

Kits were taken to: 

  • BRANCHES Domestic Violence Shelter
  • Huntington City Mission
  • Harvest for the Hungry
  • Marcum Terrace Family Support Center
  • Court Street Ministries
  • Lincoln County Family Resource Network
  • Wayne County Family Resource Network
  • Backpack Buddies
  • Mason County Family Resource Center
  • S. Peter’s Episcopal Community Outreach

HEALTY COMMUNITY FUNDED programs

Goodwill of KYOVA — $35,000 — Supporting their Counseling and Therapy Services- Access for All program.  Providing counseling services underserved populations.  Providing salary support, program supplies, and training.  Serving Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, and Wayne Counties.

Hamlin-Lincoln County Public Library — $7,500 — Supporting their Healthy Families Naturally program.  Offering two weekly yoga classes to all age groups as well as a weekly herbal medicine program. Providing program supplies, equipment, contract services. Serving Lincoln County.

Lily’s Place — $35,000 — Supporting their Lily Pad Clinic providing free follow-up clinic to children who were treated as infants at Lily’s Place. Providing salary support and program supplies. Serving Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, and Wayne Counties.

YMCA of Huntington — $15,000 —  Supporting their Kids in Motion Family Fit Program that provides families with education and instruction that will allow them to eat and exercise as part of their daily routines. Providing salary support and occupancy.  Serving Cabell, Wayne, and Lawrence Counties.

Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area Inc.

United Way’s funding has significantly contributed to the success of Goodwill Counseling and Therapy Services, as demonstrated by the remarkable progress of a rural high school student overcoming severe social anxiety. Initially, they struggled with a depressed mood, concentration issues, excessive guilt, racing thoughts, irritability, and excessive worry, compounded by avoidant behaviors, particularly in social settings. These symptoms were largely due to past bullying experiences that had severely affected their self-worth and social interactions, making daily life a significant challenge and leading to feelings of guilt and worry over perceived distance from family and friends.

The individual was committed to treatment and began their comprehensive therapy journey with a dedicated therapist. Key interventions included exposure therapy to reduce fear and avoidance in social situations gradually, psychoeducation to help the student understand and manage anxiety, and encouragement to utilize support systems from family and friends. Because of these interventions, the client regained a sense of control and empowerment in social situations, showing noticeable improvement in functioning in public environments like stores.

Moreover, the client developed effective coping skills to manage daily anxiety and improved their ability to engage with family and friends, enhancing their overall social interactions. While the client continues to face anxiety challenges, they are now equipped with the tools and strategies to navigate difficult days, demonstrating significant resilience and progress.