News

May 12, 2026:

United Way of the Southern Tier awarded $192,336 in grants today through its Senior Supports Fund to assist programs helping senior citizens age safely in place in Chemung and Steuben counties.

“Each of these investments reflects the belief that people should be able to remain in the homes and communities they know and love as they age,” said United Way President and CEO Maleaha Smith. “We are grateful to support partners who are meeting seniors where they are and helping ensure they can live safely, with dignity.”

The 15 organizations receiving grants are:
• Arbor Housing and Development: $35,000 for home repairs and accessibility upgrades.
• Bampa’s House: $7,500 to provide a short-stay respite care program.
• Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care: $5,000 for NOAA weather radios and pulse oximeters.
• Chemung County Habitat for Humanity: $25,000 to build ramps at the homes of seniors.
• Corning Meals on Wheels: $6,500 for an IT upgrade to improve efficiency and security.
• Faith In Action of Steuben County: $8,000 to expand services in eastern Steuben and Chemung counties.
• Meals on Wheels of Chemung County: $11,839 to purchase a 60-inch range and hot food serving table.
• Pro Action Meals on Wheels - Steuben: $5,000 toward the purchase of an upgraded delivery vehicle.
• Steuben County Habitat for Humanity: $25,000 to provide home ramps and accessibility upgrades.
• Steuben County Office for Aging: $8,000 to provide wheelchair accessible transportation for seniors.
• Steuben Senior Services Fund: $17,500 for upgrading technology for the Full Circle America program.
• Teal Park Project: $10,000 for handicapped accessible bathrooms.
• The Senior Center/Chemung County Family Fitness Center: $10,000 for equipment for the Senior Sneakers program.
• Tri-County YMCA: $11,997 for fitness equipment in Bath; $4,500 for Senior Lunch & Learn in Hornell.
• Vincent House: $1,500 for an intergenerational legacy and memories project.  

The Senior Supports Fund was created through an anonymous bequest to United Way of the Southern Tier. This is the fifth year of the grant program. Awards from the fund, to date, total $908,263. Grants are awarded in addition to annual allocations made by United Way of the Southern Tier through donations to the Community Campaign.

Grant applications for the fund will be accepted again in Spring 2027. Contact Barbara Hubbell, Senior Director of Impact at United Way of the Southern Tier, at 607-936-3753 or bhubbell@uwst.org for more information.

For more information, please contact United Way Coordinator of Community Engagement Hope Howell by email or at 607-377-5836.