Project

Serve is a Success!  

United Way of the CSRA's Day-of-Caring, "Project Serve 2007", was a great success! On Friday, April 27, 2007, nearly 200 volunteers from several area companies spent the day at 12 area non-profit agencies painting, landscaping and "beautifying" the grounds and buildings. A special thanks to the event sponsors, Gwen Fulcher Young & Associates Real Estate Company and CSRA Business Lending.  Also, many thanks to Atlanta Gas Light Company, Doctors Hospital, The Home Depot, Palmetto GBA, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, and The WSRC Team for supplying volunteers for the event. 

Please watch for details on Project Serve 2008.  We are currently looking for organizations interested in volunteering for this event next spring. Projects available include landscaping, construction, painting, and much more! This is a great teambuilding idea for any organization. Groups of all sizes and skills are welcome!

Mr. Phil Caldwell, District Manager of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and 2007 Loaned Professional Chair, is beginning the recruitment process of Loaned Professionals (LPs) for the fall campaign.  The LP program begins August 20, 2007 and runs through November 9, 2007.  During this 12 week period, the LPs maximize the efforts of United Way to help reach the campaign goal.  This is a crucial commitment to continue support to 60 health and human service programs throughout the CSRA.

There are several benefits in the LP Program: 

·  Key community leadership contacts
· Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds

Financial Sponsorship

For further information on the 2007 LP Program or to make a commitment on behalf of your company, please contact Rina Powell at (706) 724-5544. 

For most individuals, the road to recovery isn't always the smoothest.  Jimmy, a participant of Friendship Community Center, was no exception.  Having lived a "colorful" life, Jimmy grew up in downtown New York City.   When he was 32 years old, he and his brother were victims of a robbery gone awry. In order to protect his younger sibling, Jimmy stood as a shield but in turn was hit with three bullets, causing severe damage to his back and spine.  Since then, Jimmy has undergone five major surgeries and continues to have severe pain.

On top of everything else, Jimmy also suffers from schizophrenia.  The illness has constantly caused friction and tension in his relationships with family, friends and community members.  However, with the help of Friendship Community Center, Jimmy has learned how to deal with and understand his schizophrenia.  He knows what will happen if he stops taking his medication, and he now sees he is not the only one who deals with this type of illness. Jimmy is also working very hard with Friendship's staff members to try and let go of the past. 

Jimmy's journey to finding a better life is made easier with the help of Friendship Community Center. And, although there might be times when the struggle wins out, everyday lends itself as a chance to begin anew.  In Jimmy's opinion, "Sometimes this is the hardest job there is, but you folks are sure helping me help myself.  Thanks to my Friendship family, I'm making it."

 

2-1-1 is a universally recognizable, easy- to-remember number to call to find out about and link to community-based organizations and government agencies that provide health and human services.

1.       Electric Bill Payment

2.       Traveler's Aid

3.       Affordable Housing

4.       Income Assistance - Jobs

5.       Gas Bill Payment

6.       Utility Deposit

7.       Rent Deposit

8.       Rent Payment Assistance

9.       Transportation - Bus Fare/Gas Money

10.   Water Bill Payment

Looking closer into the reasons why these are unmet, there are three commonalities:

1.       No funding is available. 

2.       Caller is ineligible (lacks proper identification/documentation, income, received prior assistance, or other specific program criteria.)

3.       Bill exceeds amount available.

United Way 2-1-1 tracks these unmet needs and makes community leaders aware of the situations. By using United Way 2-1-1, duplication of cost in maintaining a comprehensive community resource database is eliminated.  Data, as listed above, serves as a valuable planning tool leaders can depend on when looking to create a strategic plan to address unmet needs in their community.

If you would like to find out more about how United Way 2-1-1 can assist you or your organization, contact Joan Stoddard at 706-724-5544.