United Way of Central Ohio has proudly announced a new two-year partnership with Cardinal Health to impact student success in central Ohio.
“United Way of Central Ohio is an established and trusted organization that understands the needs of our community, particularly in the area of student success,” said Jessie Cannon, VP of Community Relations at Cardinal Health. “By leveraging United Way’s infrastructure, we will add depth and scale to our investments and have a greater impact on the lives of students in our community.”
The Cardinal Health Foundation has committed $500,000 over two years to support United Way of Central Ohio’s initiatives that help students develop the skills and behaviors needed to graduate from high school prepared for success.
“We are so pleased that the leaders of the Cardinal Health Foundation selected United Way to play an integral role in improving student success in our community,” said Lisa S. Courtice, President and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio. “New partnerships with companies like Cardinal Health afford us the opportunity to strengthen social impact strategies.”
“Improving health outcomes is the strategic focus of the Cardinal Health Foundation,” Cannon said. “We work to expand the quality and access to physical and mental health services and positively impact social determinants of health by increasing access to healthy food, stable housing and education. We know that lack of access disproportionately impacts people of color. And we know that increasing access leads to better health outcomes – for all people.”
In terms of education, federal statistics show that, on average, 25-year-olds with a bachelor’s degree live approximately nine years longer than those who don’t graduate from high school. That’s why, earlier this year, United Way announced the organization would increase its focus and support on student success, Courtice said.
“Poverty has always had a dramatic impact on student success, and COVID-19 has only increased this impact. As unemployment levels rise and public school students have access to fewer resources, it’s up to all of us to do everything we can to support children and families,” said Courtice. “The focused energy and generosity of Cardinal Health will have a positive impact on our community. It is how we all win.”
On August 17, the Cardinal Health Foundation and United Way approved round one of funding, totaling almost $550,000 in grants for 24 organizations working to increase student success. The grant total is a combination of financial investments from both organizations ($250,000 from Cardinal Health and $300,000 from United Way). The grantees are either United Way funded partners or organizations identified as serving vulnerable communities (people of color or new Americans) due to COVID-19.
The organizations selected to receive grants include:
● Academy of Urban Scholars
● Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio
● Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation
● Community of Caring Development Foundation
● Girls on the Run
● Kaleidoscope Youth Center
● OSU LiFESports
● St. Stephen’s Community House
● Alpha Rho Lambda Education
● Central Community House
● Communities in Schools
● Directions for Youth & Families
● Godman Guild
● King Arts Complex
● My Project USA
● Center for Healthy Families
● Big Brothers Big Sisters
● City Year
● CD4AP (Community Development for All People)
● Dominican Sisters of Peace
● The Hardy Center
● Momentum- Excellence
● Ruling Our Experiences
● YMCA of Central Ohio
