We join in congratulating the two agencies that have been selected by the United Way of Central Missouri as new partners.
We're not surprised by the selection of The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) and Capital City Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Both agencies have amassed splendid records of service to our community, particularly its young people.
Our readers are familiar with the United Way's role in assisting fundraising for its member agencies. As new members, these two agencies will benefit from the visibility, coordinated campaign and funding allocations of the United United.
The addition of the two agencies brings the total number of United Way member agencies and programs to 28. In addition, CMFCAA and CASA will be included the fall fundraising campaign to raise to raise $1.8 million.
Although the United Way volunteer board alters funding allocations based on need or the emergence of new programs, the addition of member agencies is not frequent. Prior to the announcement of the new partners, the last addition of a new agency, Dreams to Reality, occurred in 2008.
Both new members trace their origins to humble beginnings.
In 2007, DeAnna Alonso founded the foster care and adoption group out of the trunk of her car. A product of the foster care system and mother of three adopted children, she continues to serve as the agency's executive director and pursue her "deep desire" for foster care and post-adoption services.
CMFCAA has been allocated $10,000 for two programs - Begin Again Backpacks for foster children and Transitions, a program for young people aging out of the foster care system. Transitions also was a recent recipient of a one-time United Way grant.
CASA traces its origins to an initiative by the local Kiwanis club, and began operating out of the home of Jim Kellerman, who continues to serve as its executive director. CASA trains adult volunteers who advocate on their behalf of children who become immersed in legal matters through no fault of their own.
CASA has been allocated $15,000 for a part-time volunteer coordinator to help attract and train new volunteers. Although 42 adults now serve 80 children, an estimated 150 children remain unserved.
The growth of CMFCAA and CASA, and their selection as United Way partners, is commendable, but would not be possible without the sustained generosity and support of the community.