Team Kentucky Fund donates $380,000 to mission-aligned local nonprofits

In News, State by OC Monitor Staff

FRANKFORT, Ky. — On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a $380,000 donation from the Team Kentucky Fund to 19 qualified nonprofit organizations in equal shares of $20,000.

Each nonprofit serves Kentuckians by preventing homelessness and/or assisting families impacted by the opioid epidemic.

“This gift wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of Kentuckians. Going forward, let’s keep the spirit of the Team Kentucky Fund alive by donating directly to these amazing organizations or other nonprofits in our communities that speak to our hearts,” said Gov. Beshear. “In Kentucky, we don’t just talk about our faith, we live it. Especially as we’ve faced this coronavirus pandemic, these agencies have helped our people most in need. We are proud to be able help them in turn.”

These same qualified nonprofit organizations also will also receive in equal shares any funds remaining from the Team Kentucky Fund, which is closing, after all pending applications have been addressed.

The 19 organizations are:

On March 23, 2020, Gov. Beshear established the Team Kentucky Fund, allowing Kentuckians to support other Kentuckians who suffered a serious financial setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund raised $3,768,222 from 11,411 donors, assisting 3,662 Kentucky families to date.

“During a really challenging year, I was so inspired by every single Kentuckian who contributed to this fund,” said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. “This is who we are as Kentuckians – working together, neighbor helping neighbor.”

The majority of funds were designated for $1,000 vouchers for individuals that could cover rent, mortgage, utility or food costs. If they are eligible based on program requirements, Kentuckians who completed their applications before Nov. 16, 2020, at 5 p.m. will still receive these vouchers.

The Governor designated $380,000 for nonprofit organizations that share the Team Kentucky Fund’s mission of helping Kentucky families that are highly vulnerable due to COVID-19.

Gov. Beshear focused on addressing homelessness and the opioid epidemic, because these two crises have worsened significantly since the start of the pandemic, compounding the challenges families impacted by COVID-19 face.

The organizations had to be a qualified nonprofit organization under the emergency regulation governing the Team Kentucky Fund, 800 KAR 1:010E(10).

“The Coalition for the Homeless is so thankful to Team Kentucky for their support. It couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Natalie Harris, Coalition for the Homeless executive director. “We have been focused on moving the homeless from the streets to housing since COVID was first discovered in Kentucky. It is the only way the homeless can be ‘Healthy at Home.’ And, now, with frigid temperatures coming, this support is needed more than ever. Thank you Team Kentucky!”

“What a welcomed surprise the email was about the Team Kentucky Fund gift! We had just had a staff meeting about client needs and how we can assist them in attaining those needs. Just like with most agencies the pandemic has been an economic hardship due to having to implement different ways of doing business,” said Renee McCoy, M.Ed., LCADC, RN, executive director, Hope in the Mountains. “Although most of those changes have proven to be very beneficial, it has also been expensive. With this gift we can get back to assisting our clients with their needs of attaining the essentials they need for housing or necessary items that many of us take for granted. Governor and Team Kentucky, thank you from the bottom of the hearts of the staff and board directors of Hope in the Mountains. You have always been a friend to all recovery efforts in Kentucky.”

“At KVC Kentucky headquartered in Lexington, we strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect and help children and adults achieve mental health wellness. We’re so grateful for this Team Kentucky Fund grant, and we’ll put every dollar to work to help our state’s most vulnerable families. With the additional support of these funds, families on the brink of crisis will continue receiving access to caring therapists and professionals as well as emergency help to pay their rent  and utilities to maintain safe housing, and get the food, diapers and clothing their children need,” said Gina Klyachkin, president, KVC Kentucky.

“We are so excited HOTEL INC has been chosen to receive a gift from the Team Kentucky Fund. This donation will allow us to continue working with our neighbors who have been greatly impacted by the pandemic – putting their housing, health, and food access at greater risk,” said Rhondell Miller, HOTEL INC executive director.

“Thank you, Team Kentucky Fund, for the generous donation to Pathways. These funds will help us continue expansion of our crisis services. As the safety net, Pathways provides crisis services for adults and children in our region. We have seen a surge in crisis helpline calls since the beginning of the pandemic, requiring additional crisis staff. We also opened an additional crisis unit to meet the demand for residential crisis services for mental health and addiction crises. This donation will help offset these additional expenses,” said Jennifer Willis, Pathways interim chief executive officer.

“Based in Northeast Kentucky, Ramey-Estep Homes has been serving children and families for over 75 years. Serving over 2,000 clients in 2020 who need community-based, in-home, or out-of-home care, we remained fully operational during the coronavirus pandemic. We are so grateful for the generous $20,000 donation from the Team Kentucky Fund. Thank you for investing in us as we continue to serve some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable children and families. The pandemic continues to create challenges and hardship for clients across all of our programs. These funds will allow us to support them further as we get through this together. We thank the Governor’s Office and look forward to future opportunities to partner on the best strategies to meet the behavioral health needs of Kentucky’s children and families,” said Ginny Anderson, chief executive officer and the leadership team of Ramey-Estep Homes Inc.

“The generosity of the Governor’s Office and Team Kentucky allows us to continue to provide quality care to the residents and their families that struggle with substance use disorder. The pandemic has created a challenging dynamic for people that struggle with addiction and this gift allows us to continue to offer immediate access to treatment,” said Jim Beiting, chief executive office, Transitions Inc.

“COVID-19 has made life challenging for everyone, especially for those suffering with substance use disorders. Funds from Team Kentucky has played a role in keeping our good work going. An award from the Team Kentucky Fund has allowed Chrysalis House to secure food, provide rental assistance, and other essentials for families in our recovery housing program; provide necessary PPE for the staff and patients, diapers for babies in our residential program and tutoring assistance for school aged children. Thank you Team Kentucky,” said Kama McKinney, executive director of Chrysalis House.

“Coming from a year which our nation, state and region has witnessed unprecedented increases in overdose deaths, suicides and mental health disorders. This funding demonstrates that state leadership is placing the mental health of Kentuckians as a top priority,” said Stephen Wright, WestCare regional director – Hal Rogers Recovery Center.

Paula Garner, Maryhurst president and chief executive officer, said: “Maryhurst is working with hundreds of kids and families in Kentucky whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic. The generous gift from Team Kentucky, and the thousands of Kentuckians who donated to this effort, will help build resilience and provide relief to young survivors of abuse, families in crisis, and children in search of their forever families.”

“We are pleased to receive this gift from the Team Kentucky Fund to reduce the impact COVID-19. We thank Gov. Beshear for his assistance and continued support for Kentucky’s nonprofit agencies,” said Promod Bishnoi, president and chief executive officer, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center.

“Volunteers of America Mid-States is so grateful to the Team Kentucky Fund for essential support that will enable us to continue to serve Kentucky’s most vulnerable residents. For VOA, the daunting reality of this pandemic is that our costs have gone up while our revenues are threatened. Without generous and caring partners like the Team Kentucky Fund, the families we serve would be at even greater risk. As VOA continues to provide life-changing support during this pandemic for families overcoming homelessness, or moms working to beat substance use disorder, we will think of the Team Kentucky Fund as an invaluable partner. It’s true that we need to work together, as a team, to take on this crisis, and we’re so thankful for the Team Kentucky Fund.” said Jennifer Hancock, president and chief executive officer, Volunteers of America Mid-States.”

“This generous gift will help Independence House clients by providing much needed facility upgrades. Those upgrades will improve the quality of care that the women receive while at Independence House,” said Tim Cesario, M.S., LCADC, CSS regional director of recovery services, Cumberland River Behavioral Health.

“The Salvation Army in Hopkinsville has been serving the community for over 100 years. Thank you for furthering our commitment to do the most good by helping those in need. When you support The Salvation Army, you’re helping to provide for the need for those most vulnerable in our community,” said Hopkinsville Salvation Army’s Major Jose Marquez.

“Gov. Beshear and Team Kentucky are vital partners with Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky as we respond to both immediate and systemic needs to end child abuse, neglect, and adverse environments affecting community health,” said Rick W. Wurth, chief executive officer, CHNK Behavioral Health.

“Clark County Homeless Coalition is proud to announce the award of $20,000 in Team Kentucky funds to support our mission in this time of crisis. We serve those experiencing homelessness in 16 counties of the Bluegrass with street outreach programs, shelter, transitional housing, housing programs, and services to maintain long-term stability. Our goal is to end homelessness for each and every person. This Team Kentucky gift will provide beds and essential household items for those moving from homelessness into their home. CCHC is helping keep our communities safe and everyone Healthy at Home,” said Terry Davidson, executive director, CCHC executive director.

“The Team Kentucky funds will be a godsend for the most vulnerable members of our community. Even during one of the most trying times in our history, Kentucky continues to take care of their communities and sets an example nationwide,” said Danielle Amrine, chief executive officer, Welcome House of Northern Kentucky.

“It is with deep gratitude to Team Kentucky for their gift helping us provide meals and shelter to the homeless in our area! Team Kentucky is all about community. We are thankful for the prayers, encouragement, time and support of our mission. Giving is not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference. And thanks to you – we have made a difference in our community,” said Dr. Michele Johnston, executive director, Daniel Pitino Shelter.