ASHTABULA — The Ashtabula Area College Committee Inc. recently was awarded a $15,000 Financial Stability Initiative grant from United Way of Ashtabula County.
The ceremony took place at the Kent State Center at the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake.
Present to receive the funds were representatives of the Ashtabula Area College Committee Inc. (AACCI) : Rick Brewer, president, and Paul Fuller.
Representing United Way were Randy Jones, executive director, and Georgia Farris Romanko, chairwoman of the Community Impact Committee.
United Way sought proposals from county nonprofit organizations to apply for a grant established by the Community Impact Committee. AACCI presented a proposal that was well-aligned with the grant criteria, requiring the organization to collaborate with agencies in the community so as to make a positive sustained impact on the critical needs of county residents.
AACCI collaborate with other community organizations and businesses in the Financial UNDerstanding and Sustainability (FUNDS) program, a new financial stability program. FUNDS will include a series of workshops designed to provide individuals with a basic understanding on a variety of financial topics. They will be targeted to participants of all socioeconomic backgrounds, with the purpose of helping residents maintain or even increase their standards of living.
Jones, of the United Way, described the rationale behind this new approach to support county residents.
“In survey after survey, the people of Ashtabula County have told us that jobs and household economic worries are the biggest problems in our community. Our United Way supports many programs that help families with food, utilities, rent and other basics needs. Our goal with this program is to help families understand their own finances so they can make good decisions that will help them live more securely and plan for their future and their children’s future. Workshops offered through Kent State University at Ashtabula provide an ideal implementation of grant funds.”
Jones describes the program’s potential to reach a wide audience.
“We made the decision to provide funding for financial literacy and financial stability programs before the current economic downturn because local families were struggling even then,” Jones said. “Because of the impact of this prolonged recession, almost every family in the county, regardless of income, can benefit from this program, and we encourage them to take advantage of it.”
Rick Brewer of AACCI was excited to hear his organization was selected to receive the grant. He said: “I want to compliment the United Way Board of Trustees for looking into creative ways to reach out into the community, the county and offer help to those people that otherwise may not have the opportunity to get it. I think it makes all the sense in the world that the United Way organization of Ashtabula County and Kent State University at Ashtabula partner on a project that could have very positive benefits for the community. (AACCI) is always looking for ways to improve education opportunities in the community and is pleased to serve as the fiscal organization for this program.”
AACCI, a 501(c)3 corporation, was formed over 50 years ago for the purpose of bringing a major university to Ashtabula County. The organization’s efforts resulted in the establishment of KSUA. AACCI’s mission is to promote and support higher education for the community.
