ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John has accepted the Yellow Cedar Group Home as a new member agency, thereby eligible to receive funding during the 2004 calendar year. Financial support for all member agencies and programs will be derived from the United Way fund drive to begin October 1, 2003.

At their July 17th meeting, the United Way Board of Directors approved the recommendation of the Agency Membership Committee to accept the Yellow Cedar Group Home, as its newest agency. This action brings the number of United Way member agencies to 17.

The Yellow Cedar Group Home, a program of the Lutheran Social Services, will provide residential care for up to eight adults with developmental disabilities within a supportive environment upon its re-opening in October 2003. The facility was previously known as the Ginger Thomas Residence before it closed in 1995 due to hurricane damage.

Raymond Green, chairman of the Agency Membership Committee, said, "United Way is pleased to support the quality programs of the Yellow Cedar Group Home which will enable our disabled residents to lead enriched and independent lives."

The 16 other human service agencies supported by the United Way are: American Red Cross, V.I. Council of Boy Scouts of America, Carabana Ensemble Theater Company, Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, Civil Air Patrol, Downstreet People's Youth in Action, Dial-A-Ride St. John, Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas, Ebenezer Gardens, Friends of Volunteers in Public Schools, Girl Scout Council, Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, Lutheran Reformation Summer Program, St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Program, Shaky Acres, and V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, Inc. United Way also funds community organizations with innovative programs that address issues affecting youth in crisis through its Venture Grant Program.