The United Way of Licking County hosted an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on July 31 as the organization celebrated its move to a new space at 22 S. 1st St. in downtown Newark.
United Way executive director Deb Dingus told the dozens of gathered well-wishers that if you have ever moved to a new house, you know how hard it can be.
“But we could not have imagined when we moved into this space, how wonderful it would be,” Dingus said.
The move was supported by Park National Bank, which donated the space; by Owens Corning Fiberglas, which coordinated the move, and by Robertson Construction and WNKO, which helped with construction and branding respectively.
“It’s not just a space,” she said, “but a demonstration of what can happen when people come together.”
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Dingus told The Reporting Project that the new home will provide more opportunities to gather people together to come up with new ways to help the community and to learn from one another.
The core of the building dates back to 1834 and was originally the home of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Corey Stutes, United Way’s community impact director, told The Reporting Project that the agency was outgrowing its former space on South Second Street. The new space will allow for community meetings and support expanding programs, such as more storage space for the Hygiene Hub program, which provides personal care products to high school students.
“Now, we can do things here,” Stutes said.
The United Way of Licking County raises funds to support many community service organizations and initiatives. In recent years, United Way has convened community conversations focused on social issues facing Licking County residents with its Community Partners Council. Recent discussions have included access to child care, the importance of voting, and addressing the housing shortage and homelessness.
In 2024, the organization served 72 organizations across Licking County, including Behavioral Health Partners, Friends of the Library, and Together We Grow. Last year, 575 people volunteered with the United Way and the total value of grants and programs was over $1.3 million.
“I see the impact not only in my agency but on all the agencies we fund,” said Ashley Washburn, a board member and executive director of Family Health Services of East Central Ohio. “I see the impact not only in my agency but on all the agencies we fund. It also brings the community together through volunteerism.”
Board member Jayme Blackstone is also a career development coordinator at C-TEC and said that she sees the impact of the United Way in the lives of students outside of the school day through programs such as the Yes Club.
United Way of Licking County began in 1933 as the Community Chest of Licking County, raising $43,570 to support local groups including the Boy Scouts, Newark City Hospital, and Child Health Camps (now Camp O’Bannon).
Dingus told The Reporting Project that she was especially proud of the partnership between Camp O’Bannon and the United Way, a 93-year-old relationship between her organization and a camp that provides a free summer experience for children in Licking County.
Newark Mayor Jeff Hall told The Reporting Project that the United Way “brings people together. People caring for people is really important. The word ‘united’ is really important. It’s a lot easier to get things done together than by yourself.”
Louis Shuler and Jack Shuler write for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.