United Way goal reaches halfway mark

Summit County raises more than 50% of $11.4 million campaign

Published on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007

Beacon Journal staff report

The United Way of Summit County's 2007 campaign has raised more than 50 percent of its $11.4 million goal.

''That puts us slightly ahead of where we've been in past years during the last week in October. We're on the right track,'' said Michael Gaffney, United Way spokesman. ''We're feeling very comfortable about where we are and we're confident we're going to reach our goal.''

Last year's campaign fell short $450,000 of the $11.5 million goal. That drop, however, was anticipated because of changes in accounting procedures and the loss of Wadsworth, which became part of the United Way of Medina County after the 2005 campaign.

That year, the $11.6 million campaign goal was exceeded by $30,000.

In 2004, the campaign fell short, raising 97 percent of its $11.75 million goal.

Gaffney credits stronger corporate United Way drives with this year's success. Most of the workplace campaigns are expected to be completed by the end of November. Donations received after that will come primarily from individual donors.

''We would love for people to give as much as they're able to,'' Gaffney said. ''We appreciate all that people do to make our campaigns successful.''

The kickoff event for the 2007 campaign was a breakfast in August, featuring former Indians player Andre Thornton. Other events have included a two-day Chickenfest in Barberton and the annual Corporate Basketball Skills Competition.

Currently there are 101 programs at 49 affiliated agencies that receive funding through United Way. The programs focus on improving lives in four impact areas attaining independence, improving health and wellness, reinforcing basic needs and building successful children and families.

Donations can be made at http://www.uwsummit.org./

Docs Who Rock Another Big Success For United Way of Summit County

United Way of Summit County’s fourth annual ‘Docs Who RockTM’ physician talent show was another rousing success this past weekend. And at the end of an amazing display of talent by nearly 70 musicians (including 26 physicians), the first-place winning band was ultrasound, a high-energy R&B band.

Sponsored by The University of Akron, the show was held Saturday, October 13 at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall before a raucous crowd of more than 1,900.

The 11-member ultrasound features seven local physicians – Dr. Akida Green, vocals; Dr. George Kefalas, bass & vocals; Dr. Costas Kefalas, drums; Dr. Michael Wells, congas/bongos; Dr. Matt Taylor, guitar; Dr. Nick Papas, first trombone; Dr. Edward Esber, second trumpet; along with Jan Goddard, saxophone; Greg Kefalas, keyboards/vocals; Costa Papas, second trombone; and Steve Hadgis, first trumpet.

In second place was Big Adventure featuring Dr. Drew McIntosh and in third place was Accent, with Dr. Fred Slezak.

In just four years, Docs Who Rock has grown from a free show at the Downtown Akron Main Library auditorium’s 430 seats to a major theatrical production at one of the region’s top venues.

Local cardiologist Dr. Terry Gordon served as co-host for Docs Who Rock and treated the audience to his unique versions of classic songs by Michael Jackson (see left) and Barry Manilow (picture on the right).

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “This event continues to grow – not just here in Summit County, but across the nation. We have trademarked ‘Docs Who Rock’ and have licensed several United Ways in other regions to produce their own show. One of the reasons these talented doctors and their bands are willing to donate their time to this project is because we’re able to hold it in the beautiful E.J. Thomas Hall. We appreciate the support of The University of Akron for making that possible.”

To purchase a DVD copy of this year’s Docs Who Rock show for just $15, call United Way at 330-643-5533.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Here's the information about our fourth Impact Area

Reinforcing our Basic Needs

Problem:

- 12.4% of all persons in Summit County in 2006 lived in poverty

- 9.1% of all families in Summit County in 2006 lived in poverty

- 16.1% of all children in Summit County in 2006 lived in poverty

- Summit County's primary information & referral agency received more than 14,000 (approximately 2,300 per month) requests for assistance with basic life needs during the first half of 2007, including the following requests/referrals:

- 7,675 requests for emergency food assistance
- 3,453 requests for utility payment assistance
- 1,509 requests for rent & security payment assistance
- 1,472 requests for general financial assistance including medical assistance
- 493 requests for emergency shelter assistance

- 837 requests were received for assistance with emergency medical prescriptions

- 88% of persons participating in basic needs/emergency assistance services of a local agency have annual incomes of less than $10,000

- The number of families experiencing actual utility shutoffs or threatened shutoffs continues to increase

Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to build an environment to ensure that individuals, seniors and families have access to temporary emergency services. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Emergency shelter for men, women and families
* Rape Crisis Hotline and sexual assault services
* Single family disaster assistance
* Civil legal services
* Emergency community health care
* Information and referral services
* Limited assistance with utility bills


Results:

# Nearly 80,000 persons learned where to turn for help when they needed it through information and referral programs
# Emergency shelter in a safe, supportive environment was provided to 625 women and children
# Over 400 women were served by crisis intervention services enabling them to free themselves and their children from domestic violence in their home
# Nearly 50,000 persons in Summit County received emergency food, shelter, prescription drugs, utility assistance, and clothing and furniture to provide short term basic needs

Impact Areas

United Way of Summit County is striving to create sustanined change in our community through four specific Impact Areas. Here are some results in three of these areas:

Attaining Independence

Problem:

- Nearly 23,000 persons in Summit County 65+ years of age live alone.
- Over 6,000 children under the age of 5 live below the poverty level.
- 51% of African American children under 5 live below the poverty level.
- 25% of Summit County households have rent/mortgage payments greater than 30% of their household income.
- Summit County has insufficient community based long term care and affordable assisted living for seniors.
- 14.1% of Summit County residents are over 65; 6.8% are over 75 years of age.
- Summit County has insufficient jobs and job training for low income and low skilled workers


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to build an environment where individuals, seniors and families are provided the means to live independently and productively, and to achieve financial stability. Some of the programs that provide these results include:

* GED training for high school dropouts
* Court advocacy for battered women
* Vocational and job training services
* Homemaker and Home Health Aid services
* Respite Care services for caregivers
* Employment services for seniors and immigrants
* Transportation services for necessary trips



Results:

# Homemaker services enabled 230 elderly persons to continue living independently in their home
# Over 1,000 persons obtained or retained employment as a result of receiving vocational services training
# 300 persons learned to read last year as a result of adult literacy programs
# Over 1,100 non-driving older adults were provided transportation to medical appointments
# Twenty nine homeless and substance abuse addicted women obtained housing, employment and sobriety through residential treatment programs


Improving Health & Wellness

Problem:

- Over 50,000 persons in Summit County have no health care coverage – this restricts access to health care and the availability of prescription drugs
- 22% of Summit County children did not receive their complete immunization series by their second birthday; in parts of Akron over 50% did not
- Summit County residents in areas where the poverty rate is greater than 20% live 5.1 years less than those in areas where the poverty rate is less than 10%
- Summit County greatest health care need is dental care for poor children
- Childhood obesity in Akron and parts of Summit County is a growing problem


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to promote the overall mental and physical wellness of individuals and families in our communities. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Drug & alcohol prevention and treatment
* Health and Safety instruction programs
* Health information and education
* Cancer wellness services
* Support services for persons with HIV/Aids
* Physical education and recreation programs
* Prescription services
* Health and wellness programs
* Athletic leagues


Results:
# Nearly 1,600 adolescents became more knowledgeable about the risks of substance abuse and developed skills to resist pressure to experiment with illegal substances
# Nearly 500 children improved their academic and social skills through year round academic enrichment and physical fitness programs


Building Successful Children & Families


Problem:

- Nearly 52,000 Summit County citizens 25+ years old lack a high school diploma
- Immigration patters are changing Summit County – Asian American population increased 58.2% and Hispanic population increased 54.8% according to the last census
- Summit County has a lack of child care for sick kids and children with special needs
- Nearly 13% of African American men in Summit County are unemployed, compared to 4.2% for white males
- 12% of Summit County births were to mothers who had no first trimester prenatal care; for African American mothers the rate is 23.7%
- Summit County is experiencing growing rates of family violence and child abuse


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to develop and support programs that ensure children are ready to succeed in school and are on track to become productive adults, as well as programs to nurture safe and self-sufficient families. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Youth mentoring programs
* Individual and family counseling
* Adoption services
* Teen Parent programs
* Immigration counseling
* Before & after school child care
* Pre-school development programs
* Parent/child family life education
* Leadership development for girls
* Skills development for children

Results:

# Over 1,000 middle school students understood the consequences of postponing sexual involvement and learned self esteem and assertiveness skills to help them put off sexual activity
# Nearly 1,300 persons increased awareness of their triggers for aggression and gained skills to manage their anger and deal with daily challenges in constructive ways.

United Way of Summit County Establishes Community Impact Priorities

United Way of Summit County’s Board has, as a core part of its mission, voted to establish Community Impact Priorities by considering relevant data and studies, the work of United Way’s Impact Councils, and the recommendations of its Community Impact Cabinet.

United Way of Summit County commissioned the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research (C-MOR) to analyze a number of recent community research sources and to identify high priority community issues that United Way could target for increased resources and community awareness efforts to improve these conditions through positive and documented outcomes.

The research sources included the Thriving Communities Needs Assessment, a partnership that included United Way of Summit County, The Akron Community Foundation, and the University of Akron; The Summit County 2010 Quality of Life report; Voices and Choices recommendations; INFOLINE requests for services; The University of Akron Summit Poll, and others.

The report and recommendations have been under review for nearly a year, and the United Way Community Impact Cabinet recommended to the United Way of Summit County Board of Directors the following Community Impact Priorities: School Readiness for Children and Economic Stability for Families.

Community Impact Priorities will be addressed beyond allocation of additional revenue. Public policy advocacy, mobilization of volunteers, facilitated discussion and collaboration among community partners and implementing sound business practices to increase efficiency will all be mechanisms to move the needle on these priorities.

A portion of undesignated and unrestricted United Way revenue will be set aside for distribution through an open Request for Proposal process. Proposals will be accepted from any qualified health and human service 501 (c) 3 agency serving Summit residents, including current United Way Affiliated Agencies. The proposals will be reviewed and recommendations made to United Way’s Board of Directors by a separate United Way RFP committee.

According to United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski, “We believe that an open RFP process will provide the greatest opportunities for collaboration with education, health care, human services, private sector and local government to help United Way and these partners create sustained beneficial change in our community.”

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Wine Tasting Event for Dorothy O. Jackson Society

On Wednesday September 26, 2007 the Dorothy O. Jackson Society held a ‘wine tasting’ event at the lovely home of James Stewart. Guests were welcomed by Mr. Stewart's son, Preston Stuart of Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Home. The crowd -- comprised of current and prospective Society members -- spent a wonderful evening sampling wines, eating, networking, and listening to a testimonial from the Society’s namesake, Dorothy O. Jackson.

All in attendance were eligible for a drawing for several great prizes provided by Mr. Stewart, including tickets to an upcoming Cleveland Browns game. The Dorothy O. Jackson Society plans to hold events such as this twice a year. Four new members joined the Society because of this great event. Thanks to everyone who attended!

(photo - Dorothy O. Jackson and United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski)