Nonprofits Receive Funding to Prevent Homelessness in Northern Kentucky Community
horizon community funds provides $90,000 in emergency rental assistance
Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky has granted $30,000 each to Brighton Center, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky for emergency rental assistance from its Horizon NKY Coronavirus Relief Fund. This assistance will be put towards rent that is not covered by government funding for families and individuals who have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. Since the Fund’s inception in March of 2020, a total of $1,070,000 has been distributed to numerous areas of need relating to the pandemic.
“We are thankful the number of COVID cases, both nationally and in Northern Kentucky, has declined since earlier in the year,” stated Kit Andrews, member of the Horizon NKY Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force and Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Bahl & Gaynor. “The need for services however, remains. Our donors are so very generous! Our task force is grateful for their continued assistance and is dedicated to serving our community's pandemic-related needs for as long as possible.”
Brighton Center is a private, not-for-profit community-based organization serving individuals and families in Northern Kentucky since 1966. Brighton Center’s mission is to create opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support services, education, employment, and leadership. Brighton Center’s vision is to be an innovative leader that strengthens the vitality of the community and engages people as they work and live to achieve their hopes and dreams. Brighton Center believes in partnering with individuals and families to help them reach financial stability and independence. During the last fiscal year, Brighton Center impacted the lives of 27,194 individuals, from infants to older adults, across all eight counties of Northern Kentucky and beyond.
“Over this past year, families accessing our emergency assistance services have needed a more frequent and intensive level of support compared to pre-pandemic,” said Wonda Winkler, President and CEO of Brighton Center. “In recent months, our calls for help with rent and housing expenses including security deposits have increased, so the funding from Horizon Community Funds is very timely. We are grateful to Horizon Community Funds for their leadership and quick response in meeting the most pressing needs of Northern Kentucky families.”
St. Vincent de Paul serves the less fortunate in Northern Kentucky with basic necessities, helping families bridge a gap in their ability to meet their monthly obligations due to a shortfall in income. They provide services to those in need residing in 28 parish or Conference communities located in the counties of Kenton, Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Grant and Pendleton. Rent and utility assistance are the most common requests for help. St. Vincent de Paul NKY has experienced a record level of financial assistance requests in the last year.
"The economic fall-out of COVID-19 still reverberates among the most vulnerable within our community,” said Karen Zengel, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul of Northern Kentucky. “We are so grateful to Horizon Community Funds for this grant that will play a significant role in preventing homelessness among our neighbors who continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic. We are blessed to live in Northern Kentucky where neighbors are here to support one another in their time of need."
Since 1966, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission has worked hard to develop a strong reputation for providing quality, essential services and for providing a voice for the families they serve. Northern Kentucky CAC has two primary focus areas: developmental and supportive. Through its developmental focus, Northern Kentucky CAC helps families gain the skills, abilities and hope necessary to become economically independent. Its supportive focus provides basic, temporary assistance to give families comfort, safety, dignity and security. Their impressive and diverse range of services help low-income families eliminate the barriers and circumstances which tend to prevent self-sufficiency.
“Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission is honored to be awarded a relief fund grant from the Horizon Community Fund,” said Catrena Bowman-Thomas, Executive Director of Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission. “This grant will further our work in Northern Kentucky to help empower individuals and families to thrive. Over the last 18 months, we have seen record numbers of families needing assistance and these funds will go a long way in helping us to provide much needed assistance.”
“The far-reaching impact COVID-19 has had on individuals and families is lasting and significant,” said Nancy Grayson, President of Horizon Community Funds. “We are grateful to be able to alleviate some of the stress of families striving to remain in their homes. The generosity of our donors has made this possible.”
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to donate to the Horizon NKY Coronavirus Relief Fund by:
Texting “NKYRELIEF” to 44-321
Visiting www.horizonfunds.org
Mailing a check made payable to Horizon Community Funds (memo: NKY Coronavirus Relief Fund): 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 431, Covington, KY 41011