The funds raised during the United Way of Freeborn County’s campaign this year will go to support 19 partner agencies, which in turn will provide 31 social service programs throughout the county.

Specifically, the money will go to support four specific needs, including nurturing children and families, assisting people in crisis, increasing self sufficiency and supporting older people.

Many of the social service programs cover more than one need.

“Because every United Way is different, our programs are specific to what our community has seen as a need, as a good program to fund and run throughout the county,” said United Way Director Ann Austin. “Our programs really cover the whole wide range of what needs exist in the community.”

According to the organization’s Web site, 51 percent of the funding goes to support nurturing children and families.

United Way partner agencies that support this need are the Albert Lea Family Y, the Twin Valley Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, The Children’s Center, the Freeborn County Chemical Dependency Center, Catholic Charities, Circle of Parents, Lutheran Social Services and Parenting Resource Center.

Some of the programs they provide include day care on a sliding fee scale, Y memberships to all second-grade students, camps for scouts and counseling for youth struggling with chemical dependency, according to the site.

Regarding assisting people in crisis, 20 percent of United Way funding goes to support this cause, the Web site states. This includes programs that offer help for people faced with an emergency.

United Way partner agencies that support this need are the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Albert Lea Salvation Army, United Way 2-1-1, the Crime Victim’s Crisis Center, the Domestic Abuse program and Semcac.

These agencies provide people with food, a place to stay after a fire and a home when a family is temporarily homeless.

Regarding increasing self sufficiency, 17 percent of United Way funding goes to support this need, the Web site states. This includes programs that provide job coaching, transportation, advocacy and other social opportunities for county residents who otherwise can’t do them on their own.

United Way partner agencies that support this need are the Arc of Freeborn County, Cedar Valley Services and Adult Basic Education.

The Arc of Freeborn County and Cedar Valley Services support people with disabilities, and Adult Basic Education gives people the chance to learn English and earn their GED.

The last 13 percent of United Way funding goes toward the need of supporting older people. This includes programs that provide meals, rides to medical appointments, help around the house and companionship.

United Way partner agencies that support this need are Senior Resources of Freeborn County and Semcac Community Action. Those two agencies provide seven programs.

Austin said the United Way board considers new partner agencies every year in the spring.