Issued Quarterly by United Way of Union County, Inc., 232 N. Main St., Suite I, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio 43040-0145 Shari Marsh, Executive Director -- Dave Bezusko, Campaign and Public Relations Director
Vol. 5, No. 3 Autumn, 2007
In this issue: -- "No Wrong Door" -- Agency Spotlight: Wings Enrichment Center -- Families, competitors gather at Game Day 5K -- By the Numbers -- Duck races take top billing during Scotts campaign
“No Wrong Door” Strengthening Families by Reducing Barriers “Where do I go for help?” It’s a simple question from a person in need. But it often comes with a complex answer. Unlike the “Supercenter” shopping plazas where everything you want is under one roof, there is no “one-stop-shop” for social service needs. A social service network of more than 80 governmental, non-profit, and for-profit organizations exists in Union County, providing a vast array of assistance to those who need help. It’s not uncommon for a family to have to stop at three or four different agencies to have their needs met. Often they won’t know where to turn to for help. And the complex web of services is interwoven by eligibility requirements, offices scattered throughout the community, and turnover among social service workers who aren’t familiar with the role other agencies play. A recent survey of social service professionals who work directly with families cited that the families aren’t the only ones who didn’t know what help was available. Mary Ann Kruse has been providing in-home health care as a nurse for Interim Health Care for the last six years. She’s lived in Marysville for the last 30 years. She says there are times when one of her patients brings a need to her attention that is outside her area of expertise. As a result, she doesn’t know where to refer that client for help. “I wish I knew somebody to call,” Kruse said. “We need to have this information available to us when we’re out in the workplace.” “The two greatest barriers to getting families connected with services were knowing what is available in our community and having an understanding of the eligibility for those services,” said Brenda Rock, Coordinator for the Council for Union County Families. The end result? Families weren’t getting the help they needed, even though it was available. In March, officials from United Way and several county government agencies began planning a solution and the “No Wrong Door” concept was born. The idea was to compile a comprehensive listing of all available services throughout the county. Front-line social service workers from all agencies would participate in a day-long workshop designed to put at their fingertips the information they need to make better referrals. Then, clients at each agency would receive better service. Within the last month, United Way, in partnership with the Community Services Association and the Council for Union County Families has funded and coordinated two “No Wrong Door” training sessions. 145 have attended, each receiving a binder detailing programming available in the county, including eligibility requirements and contact information. The data is also updated and maintained on the website of the Community Services Association (www.unioncountycsa.org), a United Way Member Agency. Evaluations indicate an overwhelming success, as participants said the training was invaluable and needed in our community. “Our agencies are committed to helping, and this type of training allows others to see and hear what we each can do,” said Nedra Baetz, a Family Support Administrator with the Union County Department of Job & Family Services. “I believe it also showed that the agendas are all the same, and this may just be the arena in which this idea all comes together.” “I can’t believe what I learned,” Kruse said on her way out of the training. “This has been long-awaited. To have the unity and everyone together in one room. What a resource!” “It gives me a list of more resources that I can use to better serve my students,” said Nancy Decker, whose been working with pregnant teens at Marysville High School for the last 12 years through her job with Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. And that’s the bottom line—to provide better service to those in need. “By getting families connected at the first door they walk through, we are reducing the stress and frustration people feel when they have to go from door to door to access available resources,” Rock said. Additional No Wrong Door trainings are planned for 2008, with one session to be held in the Spring, and another in the Fall. United Way’s financial contribution to the project was $1,000 for the production of the resource binders given to each participant.	“The two greatest barriers to getting families connected with services were knowing what is available in our community and having an understanding of the eligibility for those services.”     145 Social service workers from throughout Union County gathered at the first “No Wrong Door” training sessions during the past month. United Way helped fund and coordinate the trainings to facilitate better inter-agency communication and referral which will result in improved service for families with needs.     “By getting families connected at the first door they walk through, we are reducing the stress and frustration people feel when they have to go from door to door to access available resources.”     More than 100 pages of resource information from over 80 local social service agencies were provided by United Way to attendees of the No Wrong Door Trainings.
Families, competitors gather at Game Day 5K First-year event draws more than 200 participants United Way’s inaugural Game Day 5K presented by Jerome Village was an overwhelming success. More than 200 participants, many adorned in their Buckeyes football gear, came out to Glacier Ridge Metro Park on October 6 for a 5K themed around a tailgate party. “I do a lot of races and this was one of the best first-time events I have ever been a part of,” said runner Mel Feinberg. “The event was well-organized, and the refreshments (provided by Der Dutchman) were awesome.” “What a fun and worthwhile day,” said Scott Mallory, Highland Real Estate CEO, developers of Jerome Village. “It’s great to see community come together to support such a worthy cause.” “We are excited to have teamed up with Jerome Village, our newest neighbor, on such a fun, family-friendly event,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & PR Director. “The atmosphere at the Game Day 5K was one of community, camaraderie, and friendly competition with more than $2,200 cleared for our annual campaign. It was the embodiment of our mission to bring neighbors together to improve lives in Union County.” Jerome Village is a 1,350-acre master-planned community located just outside Dublin in Jerome Township. THANK YOU to our sponsors for their generous support: Presenting Sponsor Media Sponsor Town Money Saver 1/2 K Sponsors Der Dutchman eMaryville.com Scotts Miracle-Gro T-Shirt Sponsors Buckeye Chiropractic Citizens Bank Good As Gold Interim Homestyle Services Jerome Township Division of Fire S&G Rental Union Rural Electic	Members of the OSU Alumni Band played all the familiar fight songs before the race. Families dressed up in their Buckeye best to walk and run in the Game Day 5K. 168 runners started and completed the 5K. More participants walked the Fun-Run.
Agency Spotlight Wings Enrichment Center (937) 644-8464 729 S. Walnut Street, Marysville Laurel Labadie, Director What it does: Mental Health consumers fly high with success at the Wings Enrichment Center. It’s an informal setting where mental health consumers and their families meet, discuss, learn new skills, and have fun on the road to recovery. Wings provides a place to turn for groups, activities, and support. “When people are in therapy, the therapy only lasts an hour or so, then there is a lot of time left over before the next appointment,” Labadie said. “People don’t get better in a vacuum and it is very hard to find a place where we feel safe. Wings provides a place to be with others while we are experiencing issues or distressing emotions. “We accept each other for who we are,” she said. “When someone needs help, often a peer with similar experiences can help, maybe giving suggestions or maybe just listening, but always with unconditional positive high regard.” Other Fast Facts: Opened in 1998. Serves more than 200 residents. Hosts support groups for those working through depression, schizophrenia, self-harm, drug and alcohol dependency.	Wings Enrichment Center staff and consumers work together on a landscaping project at the supportive living apartments overseen by the agency on Community Care Day.
By the Numbers 68% The percentage of the $800,000 campaign goal achieved as of October 17. With more than a month remaining in the annual drive, United Way is on pace to set back-to-back fundraising records. Last year, more than $775,000 was raised, surpassing the goal of $750,000. 189 The number of area businesses partnering with United Way of Union County to date this year. United Way truly is at the crossroads of business and philanthropy as more companies, large and small, choose to make their charitable impact through United Way. More than 50 of these businesses are conducting a traditional workplace campaign, offering easy payroll deduction giving opportunities to their employees. 231 The number of members in United Way’s Pillar Society last year. Pillar Society Members are true pillars of our community, giving of their time, talent, and treasure to make an impact in their neighborhood and their place of work. They are shining examples of commitment to their community. Membership in the exclusive Pillar Society begins at $500 a year, or less than $10 a week. Last year, Pillars gave $191,730, or 25% of the money raised in the annual campaign.	send your comments to: United Way of Union County, Inc. 232 N. Main St., Suite UW P.O. Box 145 Marysville, Ohio 43040-0145 or eMail us at: mailbag@unitedwayofunioncounty.org
Duck races take top billing during Scotts campaign One day after the world-famous Little Brown Jug was run at the nearby Delaware County Fair, a new tradition began at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Rubber duck races across the corporate pond took place as campaign organizers quacked up a unique fundraiser for the company’s workplace campaign. A “Duck-orating” contest pitted creative entries against each other. Down the stretch they come! The winner claimed “ducats” to a Blue Jackets-Ducks NHL game.	Duck Official Jennifer Bahan signals the start of a duck race. Scotts raised more than $85,000 for United Way this year.