Volunteers with the United Way of Odessa campaign are driving hard toward its $1.6 million goal — money that goes back out to the community.

Brandi Alexander, the United Way Community Relations Director, said more than two dozen agencies receive funds from the campaign.

The YMCA’s South Side Child Care is just one of the many charities on the list.

“You’d be surprised how many people aren’t aware that the YMCA is a United Way agency,” Mary Sosa, director of the child care center said.

The center offers a program to help assist families who are in need of emergency child care.

“Emergency care is targeted for families needing care right away,” Sosa said.

Emergencies include instances where families are between jobs or have a sick family member and can’t care for their children, Sosa said.

While United Way donations help pay employees at the center, the employees also give back in their own way.

“All of our employees do their own United Way contribution and that’s done once a year, and we either do it by payroll deductions or a one-time gift,” Sosa said.

Another organization benefited by United Way is the Born Learning program, which began as Success By 6.

Alexander herself serves this nonprofit organization and said it was created to encourage parents to provide a warm and loving environment for their children.

“We’re not just trying to raise money for the community,” Alexander said. “We, as a staff, are actively involved in community initiatives.”

>> American Red Cross.

>> Boys & Girls Club of Odessa.

>> Campfire USA West TX Council.

>> Catholic Charities.

>> Centers for Children/Families.

>> Communities in Schools of the Permian Basin.

>> Girl Scouts of the Permian Basin.

>> Harmony Home.

>> Meals on Wheels.

>> Odessa Day Nursery.

>> Odessa Family YMCA.

>> Odessa LINKS.

>> P.B. Regional Council on Alcohol/Drug Abuse.

>> The Crisis Center.

>> The Salvation Army.

>> Safe Place.

>> Born Learning.