Fostering Self-Sufficiency

Goal: Find ways to make it possible for people, including younger adults and retired citizens on fixed incomes, to live in our two counties.

Problem: The ability to live independently is threatened for many in our counties by such underlying issues as the cost of housing and medical care, compounded by limited job opportunities. Many people just can't make ends meet.

Solution: United Way is addressing these underlying conditions by working with health and human service organizations to:

• Help individuals and families to find reasonably priced housing; make temporary housing available to victims of fire and other disasters; and increase the amount and range of housing that is within the reach of those wanting to live here
• Provide 18-24 year olds who are no longer covered by their parents’ health insurance with a medical safety net
• Offer job training to immigrants, groups with high unemployment rates and people with disabilities

Results: 1,058 individuals and families found housing they could afford; over 2,200 18-24 year olds received regular medical care through the safety net; and 721 unemployed participated in job training.

Challenge: Progress is being made, but plans call for a 30% increase in the number of young adults getting affordable medical care; and a doubling of the number able to find housing as well as job training.

You can help.