.png "Jackson County History")
Jackson County United Way (JCUW) began as The Jackson County United Fund and was founded in 1962 by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to find an easier, and more efficient, way to help the social agencies in our county.
The agency was organized from many months of planning, and research, by individuals who were members of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce. These individuals, in turn, inspired other people from across the county to form the first Board of Directors of which Don Bollinger was elected chairman. Joyce Marley was then hired as the Executive Secretary.
The first Kick-off Dinner was held at the Elks Club with Seymour Rotary Club hosting the event. George Boas served as the first Drive Chairman, assisted by vice chairmen Arthur Kaufman and Clifford Osterman. There were eleven social agencies involved the first year, several of these are still in existence and receive program funding from the agency; Girls Club, Boys Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mental Health, Council for Retarded, Goodwill, United Cerebral Palsy and the Owls Nest.
A little knight sporting a shield and spear, "JACSY", was introduced at the first drive as a mascot. The acronym standing for the slogan “Jackson County Serving You.” The knight was beloved throughout the county and readily recognized when the fall campaigns began. An annual school contest for grades 1–6 produced a new slogan for each year’s next fund drive. Although JACSY served the United Fund well, the year 2000 brought a new “look” and slogan. “You Give…You Get” accompanied by a new logo to begin the new millennium for the Jackson County United Fund.
One of the unique features of the drive was the formation of the Merit and Booster Clubs. Merit contributors were individuals who pledged 1/10 of 1% of the goal, and Booster Club contributor’s pledged 1/20 of 1%. Further into the future a JACSY Club with pledges of 1/2 the amount of the Booster pledge was implemented, and in 1998, a Pacesetter Club, which was double the Merit pledge, was added. In 2000, the JACSY Club was renamed the Patron Club. Also in existence are the 1% contributors made up of companies who pledge at least 1% of the goal each year. These categories have produced continual increases from some 300 individuals and several companies.
From the start, employee solicitation was initiated in most of our major industries. Now most industrial plants and larger business firms are already involved in giving to the agency, and their solicitation totals increase each year as more employees take advantage of the payroll deduction plan.
The first drive goal in 1962 was $69,700 and $85,000 was raised. Since that time the organization has been successful in providing funded agencies their budget needs. In the 2000’s, as a response to a changing economic climate, agencies finally had to add additional fundraisers to increase their funding support.
In 1982, Ruth Ann Rebber was hired as the Executive Secretary. In 1990, the Jackson County United Fund was given an opportunity to expand administrative services through a grant supported by the Lilly Endowment and administered by the Indiana Association of United Ways. The staff increased to two full-time employees with this grant. This partnership has continued with continued grant support and training opportunities offered by the state association.
Day of Caring commenced in 1996 to offer sweat equity projects to United Way partner agencies and other not-for-profit agencies in Jackson County. Throughout the over 28 years of the program, work has been completed throughout Jackson County. Day of Caring expands agency funding and offers repairs, construction, client services and other work with gifts of donations and time so that United Way can support service to clients, not repairs. Each year more than 800 volunteers come together to serve the community and give back.
The Jackson County United Fund joined United Way of America (UWA) in 2003 in order to assure maximum funding was available for local agencies and programs. The agency's name of Jackson County United Fund then became Jackson County United Way (JCUW). This membership allowed, and continues to allow, more local dollars to stay in the county through the eWay distribution system for national firms. UWA membership also gave more access to indispensable training. By meeting all UWA guidelines, donors can now rest assured the highest level of fiduciary accountability is achieved through the Standard M measurement.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Jackson County United Fund/Way was a significant part of the development and rehabilitation of the Community Agency Building located at 113 N Chestnut St., which also housed Jackson County Community Health Center, and the CASA program through collaboration and coordination of grant opportunities and organizational management.
Since 2003 JCUW has been involved with 4 matching grant programs (4community, 4c2, 1010, and 1213) all funded by the Lilly Endowment through the Indiana Association of United Ways. The grants supported the United Way 2-1-1 information and referral support line; developed the 3rd court, the Family Preschool program, Jackson County Successful Schools (including Jump Start Kindergarten), and Financial Stability Programming including Bridges Out of Poverty.
In 2007, the 4c2 grant initiative brought together all 4 county school systems, Child Care Network, Healthy Families, Read Jackson County and other local individuals interested in early childhood education and successful school readiness. As a result of this, the Jackson County Successful Schools Initiative was born. This program developed the 13 Power Standards for preschool readiness; opened JumpStart Kindergarten programs in Brownstown, Crothersville and Medora; expanded the Family Preschool program at a second site and continues to provide services to families to prepare their children to enter school ready to learn.
In June 2008, parts of Jackson County were devastated by a flash flood. The communities of Brownstown, Medora and Seymour were heavily affected and over 195 families’ homes were damaged. JCUW convened governmental and non-profit organizations to form the Jackson County Long Term Recovery Committee (JCLTRC). JCLTRC provided informational sessions about registering for FEMA, what help would be available, and how to move forward after the disaster. In the midst of recovering from the flood, Jackson County was hit again by the Hurricane Ike windstorm affecting another 91 families. JCUW received a $300,000 grant from IaUW’s IND-Fund and Lilly Endowment. Within 18 months, the JCLTRC met clients' needs (basic needs, removing mud and debris from houses, trash removal, rebuilding materials, volunteer support, and emotional, spiritual and mental care.) The JCLTRC now has a plan in place for future disasters and how to execute that plan. This is written into the County’s plan for Disaster Preparedness.
In 2009, Charity Tracker, an online resource tracking system, began with 20 agencies and 34 agents currently tracking resources being delivered to local clients, to reduce duplication between agencies and maximize resources. Since its opening in March 2009, food, clothing, Christmas toys, utility assistance and other services have been delivered to 13,865 cases for total assistance of $983,906. Once again, the initial support for this program came from IaUW and Lilly Endowment.
Stuff the Bus was launched the last weekend of July 2009. In 2013, JCUW re-launched the program with the support and encouragement of then Redding Elementary School principal, Dylan Purlee, and became known as the Rock n' Ready school supply program. This event gave individuals an opportunity to donate school supplies to support all 4 school districts in Jackson County for children getting ready to go back to school. Fifteen plus years later, Rock n' Ready has received over $100,000 in donated school supplies which are collected in drop boxes stationed at various businesses and store front collection at Walmart and over 1,000 students having the supplies they need to begin school ready to learn.
In 2010 JCUW, working from grants by IaUW, United Way Worldwide (previously United Way of America) and Walmart Foundation, developed a VITA/EITC site in Jackson County. This site provides free tax preparation for families and individuals who qualify. Since the inception of the VITA program, JCUW has served over 6,000 individuals with their tax prep needs.
Also in 2010, JCUW received notice that they would be awarded a three-year AmeriCorps program grant. Within three years, the Jackson County AmeriCorps (JCAC) program grew to meet the needs of our community by providing additional support for direct services and volunteer recruitment. During the 3 year grant period (2010-2013) Jackson County AmeriCorps program was awarded $513,978 from the State of Indiana’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI). Through the Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism for a formula-funded AmeriCorps State grant award. The Jackson County AmeriCorps program had 26 part-time members serving in 10 Host Sites (including JCUW partner agencies and other community organizations).
In 2011, JCUW celebrated its 50 Anniversary with a Golden Chairs Luncheon thanking JCUW past presidents and drive chairs.
In 2014, with the IaUW INvest 1213 Grant JCUW invested grant dollars into education (CCN’s JumpStart Kindergarten, Seymour Middle School’s Summer Challenge, and Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation’s first ever VEX Robotics Countywide Tournament), health (Turning Point’s Dating Violence Prevention), & financial stability (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
In January 2015, JCUW celebrated exceeding the annual campaign goal of $745,000 by raising $756,494 for the first time in seven years. JCUW continued to create new partnerships and improve partnerships with programs such as Rock’n Ready. Working with the Leadership Jackson County team they launched the Rock’n Run to benefit school children across Jackson County. The Day of Caring continued to grow and broke records yet again.
In 2016, JCUW’s Free Income Tax Assistance Programs continued to lead the charge with financial stability work. In 2016, 340 tax returns were prepared at the Jackson County Public Library by 13 volunteers. Since the program started in 2010, JCUW has helped Jackson County residents claim over $2 million dollars in federal and state returns.
JCUW also celebrated the Bicentennial with a Public Art Project featuring six full size sculptures of Bison painted by local artists. They are placed throughout the county to celebrate our history and beautify our communities!
JCUW has been led by inspiring Jackson County women through the years. In June 2012, long-time Executive Director, Ruth Ann Rebber retired after 30 years of service on the job. Tonja Couch, then assumed the role in July of that year and worked for the agency until she stepped down to spend more time with her family in February of 2021. Current Executive Director, Maci Baurle, took the helm in May of 2021 and remains the leader of the organization.
With new leadership JCUW focused on rebuilding the annual campaign, aligning programs, and engaging county-wide support. The Board also updated the mission, vision and values to reflect where the organization was headed. JCUW mission is to assess needs, secure resources and strategically invest resource to create lasting change in the areas of education, health, and financial stability.