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Strengthening Connections

As our Community Impact model takes shape, we will be collecting results in our three impact areas and reporting back to our communities and stakeholders. The case study information below gives an indication of baseline data we’ve already collected as we begin this process.

Strengthen Connections: Families and individuals in crisis are connected to basic needs and information necessary to rebuild their lives.

Connecting to Basic Needs

Situation

The percentage of households in the state of Iowa reporting they have limited or uncertain availability of adequate and safe food increased from 7.6% in 2001 to 10.2% in 2004. 180,926 meals were served to homeless or near homeless individuals at local meals sites, emergency shelters and transitional housing programs during 2007 in Linn County.
In 2005/2006, transportation was cited amoung the top barriers for clients accessing health and human services and an estimated 4,293 households reported having no vehicle in Linn County.
Of the 4,174 homeless persons served in Linn County in 2007, 15% (711) were men, 37% (1,432) were women and 48% (2,031) were children. Approximately 84% of the families were a female headed household.
Only 20% of persons in the United Way service area have heard about United Way 2-1-1.

Response
In 2006, United Way funded programs which provided:

1,300,000 pounds of food to hungry families
53,500 rides to individuals who needed transportation to work, school or life-skills classes
1,400 homeless individuals with shelter
43,000 individuals were assisted by calling 2-1-1. Trained specialists matched callers to any of 6,500 social service agencies, connecting them to sources of food and shelter, rental assistance, utility assistance and childcare.

We Can Do More
Short Term:

1,310,000 pounds of food is needed to continue feeding hungry families.
57,000 rides are required to help people remain self-sufficient.
1,500 persons will need shelter.

Long Term:

Work with community partners to create efficiencies and long-term solutions in meeting basic needs within our communities.
Increase awareness of United Way 2-1-1 and develop a local coordinated disaster preparedness plan.

With your strong support during the 2007 campaign, basic needs of more people in our community will be met through funded programs and United Way 2-1-1 services.

(Sources: July 2006 Linn County Homeless Survey, U.S. Census Bureau and 2007 United Way Public Opinion Poll Survey)