LIVE UNITED Y’All!

by John Sands

So I was sitting at the reception desk this Monday processing incoming mail and thinking to myself, ”I have got to come up with something spectacular to write about for my next blog post.”  Mind you,  my deadline was fast approaching, and I really had nothing.  I’m wrapping up the last of the mail and someone hits the call button at our front door.  I decide to hang around because in the regular scope of my job, I help people who come in looking for assistance or referrals for assistance.

As I listen to the story of the young woman now standing in front of me, I find out that she is seeking assistance for her boyfriend.  He suffers from seizures and ran out of medicine the day before.  Up to this point, they have been to a few places seeking help, with no luck.  My first thought is to refer her to Metro United Way 2-1-1 assistance line.  I could not really think of an agency or program to refer her.  So I escort the young lady over to the office near the reception desk and dial 2-1-1 for her.  I held on the line until I was able to brief the counselor on the young lady’s situation.  I then left the room to give her some privacy.

When she re-emerged from the room, she had a couple of questions that I politely answered, and then she advised me that she indeed had set up a meeting with a program that would be able to help.  We talked a little while longer, as she was a little apprehensive about some of the questions she was asked.  I reassured her that any questions or concerns she might have, she should discuss openly when she meets with them.

As she walked out the door she thanked me and said this was the most help she had gotten in quite awhile.  And I thought to myself, “All I did was listen and then respond to her need”.  Really my part was so very simple.  I just dialed 3 digits (2-1-1) and let our community network do what it is there to do.

I never came up with anything “spectacular” to write about.  But with this one interaction I was reminded, that it is often not the “spectacular” that makes the greatest impact on people’s lives.

If you know of someone that is struggling and needs access to resources to begin to turn their situation around, Metro United Way 2-1-1 is an excellent resource.  It’s available 24-7!

General 2-1-1, assistance, get help, making a difference, service

by Cindy Lehnert

I have a friend whose family seems to be in a constant state of turmoil.  Old wounds run deep and any current disagreement reopens the deepest wounds.  As an outsider looking in, it would seem that the foundation of the family structure is in danger of collapsing and needs to be repaired.

We all have our issues and arguments to be sure.  The key to survival as a family is to not let the tiny repairable cracks turn into foundation-threatening fissures.  Family disagreements hurt not only the parties involved, but other members of the family who feel torn between their loved ones.  When the feud is so bitter that one person stops communication altogether, it is particularly painful because the family members not directly involved lose contact with that person as well.

Soothing the hurt and repairing the damage done takes work and the first step is to make the decision to put forth the effort.  Healing a family requires a commitment.  This is especially true if the issue has not been fully resolved.  You need to find a way to see and understand the other’s point of view.  You don’t have to agree with it, but you do need to try to understand it.  Then find a connection and communicate.

Lack of communication allows cracks to open wider and foundations to begin to crumble.  Listening and hearing are vitally important.  We can talk all we want, but if no one is listening, there is no communication.  If face to face communication is too difficult, try talking on the phone, by email or letter.  Attend family functions and share good news and heartbreaks.  It is important to minimize the cracks and maintain as many good relationships as possible.

The goal is to attain a level of reconciliation, not resolve old wounds.  For this process you will need to have realistic expectations.  Resolution will take time and effort.  You will have small wins, like spending Thanksgiving dinner peacefully or spending an hour or two chatting about nothing in particular.

Learn from your experiences and make sure that things don’t get out of hand again.  If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.  It is never too late.  Call Metro United Way 2-1-1 and let them know what you need.  They and many other Metro United Way supported agencies are there to help people just like you.

Photo Credit: vtbrak

General, Health 2-1-1, Agencies, Family

A recent survey of Metro United Way agencies indicated that many people in our community are struggling for a basic necessity- food. Our agencies that provide food assistance have seen a 40% increase in “first-timers” or people who have never sought food assistance before.

The statistics are astounding, but what really makes my heart ache is seeing how this affects so many people in our community- three children splitting one “happy” meal at the local fast food restaurant, seeing an elderly man dig through a garbage can on my commute home from work, hearing that a family friend lost his job, then his house, and ultimately his ability to feed his family of five. Its easier to read faceless statistics than to remember that this isn’t about numbers-its about people, right here in our community who don’t have enough to eat, and I’m sure you will agree that even one child in our community going to bed hungry is one too many…

You may be wondering, what can I do to make a difference?

Volunteer

In an effort to provide more food to more people, Metro United Way has partnered with Dare to Care to supply volunteers for additional Dare to Care Mobile Food Pantries around town. We are looking for groups of 10-12 to help distribute food at local Dare to Care mobile food pantry sites- please visit our website to sign up your company, church group or club.

Speaking of, the first pantry as a result of this partnership is happening today!! A big thank you to Youth Build and D.D Williamson & Co. for volunteering!

Advocate

Do you know someone who is struggling to feed his/her family? Whether it is food assistance or foreclosure advice, tell them to dial 2-1-1 for Metro United Way’s free, confidential health and human service assistance line. Help is available 24/7 in over 100 languages.

Give

To help families in our community who are in crisis, please consider a donation to Metro United Way. Did you know that a donation of $5.00 per week will provide one hundred warm meals to individuals at the Salvation Army Louisville Center for Hope?

For more information on how you can Live United please visit metrounitedway.org.

Photo by petit plat by sk_

Advocacy, Events, Giving, Income, Volunteering 2-1-1, advocate, Common good, Community, Giving, Live United, Louisville, Metro United Way, Volunteer

Metro United Way 2-1-1 helps people everyday that are dealing with problems, from individuals who have no insurance and are suffering with health and medical issues and have no where to turn to find the treatments they need, to people who have lost their jobs and are about to lose their homes. These are the types of problems that you hear about when you hear about 2-1-1 helping people find the help that they need.  But, sometimes little things, things that may not seem to be that large of an issue to you and me, can still be a major crisis at that moment in time to the person who is faced with those little things.      

A young woman helps an elderly aunt with her day to day affairs by running to the store or helping her with cleaning her home.  As time goes on the young woman realizes that her aunt has a few minor needs that are neglected regularly by her adult children.  She has spoken to her cousins about these needs, such as a new pair of glasses, but while they pay her rent and utilities and provide food, the young woman finds her cousins unresponsive to their mother’s need for “little things” as they call them.  She personally can’t afford to begin to support the aunt in such areas as paying for glasses.  How can she help her aunt?     

A man working in his yard gets attacked by bees and receives 30 to 40 stings on his legs.  He has no knowledge of his being allergic to bee stings, nor does he have any history of such problems but his legs and ankles are beginning to hurt and he knows he needs to see someone.  Should he go to a hospital Emergency Room?   

A small county Sheriff’s Deputy receives a run to check on an unknown individual walking around behind a home late in the evening, arrives on the scene to find not what you would expect for a prowler, but a middle-aged woman who does not live there and who does not even live in that county.  She is homeless and traveling.  This is a rural county that doesn’t have facilities for the homeless or “street people.” If he runs her off from this home he will most likely get a call on her at another residence before the night is over.  Should he lock her up for trespassing?   

Where do these three people find answers for their very different problems?  The young woman turns to Metro United Way 2-1-1 to find the Lion’s Club program for assisting seniors with eye needs. The man who has been stung by the bees calls 2-1-1 from his car as he leaves his driveway to find an Immediate Care Center just 20 minutes from his home in the next county. The Deputy finds an Emergency Shelter in the city, a 45-minute drive from his county. The Shelter houses females and will be a way to provide the middle-aged woman with a safe place to sleep that night.

To you and I these are not big problems or crisis issues, but we were not facing them. To these people they were more immediate because they had no ready answer themselves. 2-1-1 was where they turned to find  the help that was needed. Metro United Way 2-1-1 is there for the individual no matter how big or how small the problem. Metro United Way 2-1-1 is there for the community no matter how hard the wind blows or how deep the snow drifts. As we reach the 2 1/2-year anniversary of 2-1-1 this month we mark it with a milestone.  100,000 callers have been gotten help with their problems, big or small, because that is what 2-1-1 does and does well.  2-1-1 helps people find the help they need.

Advocacy, General 2-1-1

So, I sat down last week and after all of my calculations I discovered (as I hope many of you have) that Uncle Sam owes me some money.  And while filing taxes isn’t the most rewarding experience, I’m pretty excited about the anticipated result:  my tax refund. 

Now comes the hard part - deciding what I do with it.  Have you decided what you’ll do with yours?  Maybe you can help me out.  Here are some ideas I have:

1.       Take a class to further my education.  I’ve been out of college now for almost 2 years and during that time have toyed on and off (mostly off because of idea #2) with going back to school.  After some investigating, I’ve learned that courses at JCTC are as low as $363 while personal enrichment courses at U of L range between $59 and $150.  My favorite, Ghost Hunting is available for just $84

2.       Pay down my student loans.  As many other recent college graduates, I have quite a bit of student loan debt to my name.  And while I’m not shy about it, the number is constantly in the back of mind, taunting me and reminding me of how much I still owe.  By making a one-time payment on my highest interest student loan, I can pay if off 2 years earlier and save about $1,750!

3.       Plant a tree . . . to help replace those lost in the windstorm of 2008 and the ice-storm of 2009.  I can get a 15 gallon tree for about $159.  And, did you know that over the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control $31,500 worth of soil erosion? (Arbor Day Foundation)

4.        Join a gym.  I love to exercise but I’m not one of those run-for-fun kind of people.  I’m just not motivated in that way, especially when it’s cold outside.  I’ve wanted to join a gym for a while but have been really hesitant to commit to a membership and add another monthly expense to my budget.  But Angie isn’t the only Metro United Way staffer planning a wedding and if I want to look and feel better by May 23^rd I better get started! 

5.       Give more to Metro United Way.  If you didn’t already know, I’m in the Donor Relations Department at Metro United Way.  We’re responsible for the annual campaign and generating revenue for the benefit of the community.  I truly believe that no other organization can do as much good for our community, nor can my charitable gift have a greater impact anywhere else than at Metro United Way. 

There’s the list.  Now I want to hear from you!  How do you think I should spend my tax refund?  What would you do if you were me?  And what do you plan to do with yours?      

Haven’t filed your taxes yet?  You could qualify for free tax preparation assistance.  For more information about free tax services, you can call 2-1-1, visit the Louisville Asset Building Coalition or one of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites near you!   

Photo Credit: thedailyhamster

Education, General, Giving, Income 2-1-1, tax refund, VITA

And, no, I don’t mean Jay Leno or the colicky baby or your spouse’s snoring.  I mean, what weighs on your mind and causes you worry?  Are you afraid of losing your job…or have you already lost it?  Is your child doing poorly in school and you fear for his or her future?  Is your marriage in trouble and you don’t know what to do?  Are your aging parents becoming more and more fragile and you don’t know what the best choice for them is…or even what the choices are?  Have you had your world turned upside-down by an unexpected pregnancy and you don’t know what to do?

I wish I could wave a magic wand and tell you that everything’s going to be OK.  Believe me, if I could do that, I’d solve some of my own problems!  But I can tell you that there IS help available and it’s as close as the nearest telephone.  2-1-1 is Metro United Way’s 3-digit phone number for information and referral.  Trained 2-1-1 phone counselors are available 24/7 and they have a huge database of community services at their fingertips.  They’ll listen as you describe your situation and then refer you to places that can help.

You can rest easier knowing that there’s a lot of help available in our community.  The solution to your problem may not be quick or easy, but you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.  So call 2-1-1 and then get some sleep, for heaven’s sake!

General 2-1-1, Community, help, how to