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| Dick Antoine |
Dick talked about the Garland County United Way and the 19 agencies and 21 activities it supports. Unfortunately, while the demand for services increases, public support for United Way has decreased significantly in the last decade. It had been receiving about $500,000 each year, but donations dropped to $350,000 last year. The goal for 2014-2015 has been set at $400,000.
The following information was taken from its web site (www.unitedwaygarland.org). The United Way of Garland County is the premier organization for community engagement generating a sustained impact on producing healthy, well-educated and financially stable individuals and families. It advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. The focus is on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life.
In 2008, United Way World Wide initiated a 10-year program designed to achieve the following:
*Improve education & cut the number of high school dropouts - 1.2 million students, every year - in half.
*Help people achieve financial stability and get 1.9 million working families — half the number of lower-income families who are financially unstable — on the road to economic independence.
*Promote healthy lives and increase by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoiding risky behaviors.
2014-2015 Garland County Funded Programs and Activities (taken from brochure):
*Abilities Unlimited – Day Program
*American Red Cross – Disaster Preparedness
*Boys and Girls Clubs – Paul Bewie and Hot Springs
*Boy Scouts – Scouting
*CASA – Advocate Expansion
*Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinics – Drug Assistance
*First Step Inc – Developmental Treatment Services
*Garland County 4-H – Arkansas 4-H O’Rama
*Girl Scouts Diamonds – Leadership Experience
*Jackson House – Noon Lunch Program
*Literacy Council – Education Services
*Ouachita Children’s Center – Shelter and Fusion 360
*Our Promise – Cancer Patient Resources
*Project Hope Food Bank – Emergency Food Box & Food Subsidy
*Quapaw Community Center – Water Workout/Aquatic Arthritis Exercise
*Safe Haven Shelter – Supportive Housing
*Salvation Army – Red Shield Soup Kitchen
*YMCA – Summer Learning Loss Prevention