9 nonprofits awarded United Way of Broome County grants

Nine local nonprofit organizations will receive money from the United Way of Broome County for various innovative programs or purchases that respond to high-level needs in the community.

United Way announced recipients Thursday of its Venture and Special Assistance Grant Program, which targets education, income or health issues.

Program grant recipients are:

» ACCORD ($6,130) for a supervisor to work with the court in dispute resolution.

» Broome County YMCA ($8,032) to provide minority free swim lessons.

» Handicapped Children's Association ($3,000) to establish an early nutrition program.

» Johnson City Senior Center ($3,927) for a wholesome-cooking nutrition program.

» Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network ($8,122) for the Working Moms Need Healthy Babies, Too program.

» Rural Health Network, South Central New York ($10,098) for the Healthy Community: Northern Broome project.

Special assistance grants were awarded to:

» Binghamton Neighborhood Project ($12,000) for the Design Your Own Park competition.

» Danielle House ($2,663) for new guest suite furniture.

» Family Enrichment Network ($12,649), for Project SafeStart to provide safe cribs and education to the local child-care community.

"Each of the projects receiving a grant ... represents an opportunity to improve the lives of community members and to create lasting changes," said Ann McNichols of the United Way's Community Impact Cabinet. "These opportunities would not exist without the funding made possible through the United Way and the Howland Foundation."