A fleet of Access Johnson County buses parked at Gateway Services, which operates the transportation service, in Franklin. Gateway Services is celebrating the one-year anniversary of completion of a project to redo its parking lot, made possible through funding from an Indiana United Ways program. DAILY JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
To learn more
To learn more about the program and see if an organization might qualify for a matching grant from the Indiana United Ways Statewide Capital Projects Initiative, contact Goodrum at bgoodrum@uwjc.org.
Gateway Services faced a $102,000 problem.
The Franklin-based agency, which works with individuals with disabilities as well as operates Access Johnson County transportation, had a parking lot that was falling apart. Crumbling asphalt posed a safety hazard for individuals arriving at their facility, as well as an issue for the dozens of vans used to drive people around the county.
Inside, the flooring in their community room, where clients take part in social activities and engaging programs, was in bad shape.
Gateway Services needed help funding such significant work. They found a willing partner in the United Way in Johnson County.
“Having a refreshed parking area not only makes it easier for our vans to navigate the parking lot, it ensures individuals with mobility challenges can traverse safely through the parking area,” said Becky Allen, director of transportation for Access Johnson County. “In addition, because of our upgraded community room, program participants in our day program are enthusiastic about visiting our Franklin center and participating in activities. This helps them feel more connected and improves their mental health.”
Taking advantage of a matching grant program through Indiana United Ways called the Statewide Capital Projects Initiative, Gateway Services was able to redo its parking lot and upgrade the flooring in its community room.
The work totaled $102,922 and would not have been possible without the partnership with the United Way.
Now, on the first anniversary of the finished project, both Gateway Services and the United Way of Johnson County are encouraging the 15 other local agencies United Way supports to take advantage of the unique program.
“We really want to be more than just that allocation, a monthly check in the mail. We want to be a community collaborator; we want to be a partner. So when we can bring things like this, it’s a value-add,” said Bob Goodrum, executive director of United Way of Johnson County. “And hopefully, we can make more things like this to happen.”
Gateway Services has operated in Johnson County since 1963. The organization offers employment programs, respite services and community outings, among other activities. Clients go bowling, play bingo at Morning Pointe of Franklin and do volunteer activities.
Employment consultants work alongside individuals who are searching for jobs and provide coaching on the job. Respite services offer temporary relief for families caring for a loved one, either an adult or child, with a disability.
The aim is to bridge the gap by supporting individuals and allowing full community participation and opportunity.
The organization also runs Access Johnson County, the county’s public transit service.
Both sides of the agency are vital to the well-being of Johnson County residents, which made the past year’s renovation projects necessary, Allen said.
Gateway Services had been raising money on its own for the repair work. But the United Way of Johnson County approached with a novel way to maximize that funding.
Statewide Capital Projects Initiative is a program of Indiana United Ways designed to help nonprofits with real estate needs directly associated with providing essential health and human services in community spaces. The funding is a matching capital grant, meaning that Indiana United Way will match the amount.
“Nonprofits in Johnson County can approach them, with our sponsorship, to get a one-to-one match,” Goodrum said. “It’s a great way to jump-start a capital campaign a nonprofit might be embarking on.”
Recognizing the vital role that Gateway Services plays in Franklin, United Way of Johnson County endorsed the project to the program, which covered $51,461 of the project cost through a matching capital grant.
Work on both the parking lot project and redoing the interior flooring continued through 2024 and into 2025.
Now, one year after renovation, the positive energy in the building continues to buoy employees, clients and others who come to the Gateway Services facility.
Alongside other facility improvements, like updated bathrooms and kitchen areas, the renovation of the parking area and community room have completely changed how people in the building interact. Following these investments, both clients and staff feel a level of respect and dignity that has transformed them.
“This project is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when community organizations work together toward a shared goal,” Goodrum said.
With the success of the Statewide Capital Projects Initiative for Gateway Services, Goodrum is working to encourage other nonprofits to investigate and apply for funding.
United Way of Johnson County is hosting a representative from Indiana United Ways to do a presentation in the county for interested organizations later this spring.
“We want to invite our nonprofit partners in and say, hey, if you’re thinking about a capital project, this could be a way of doing it,” Goodrum said. “Up to over a million dollars in match? That can really get things moving quickly.”
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