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Online giving now available

United Way has added another convenient method to make contributing easier. United eWay is now available for you to use for contributions. Clicking the link below will open the United eWay giving site in a new window. The United eWay link is also available from our Giving page.

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Familypalooza

	Familypalooza 2008 Proceeds from Familypalooza benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Fairfield County, serving child victims of sexual abuse and severe physical abuse. May 10 11a.m. — 5 p.m. Fairfield County Fairgrounds

Activities for the whole family!

• DJ Stan the Man, great food, games
• Giant Inflatables for kids, Huge Foam
• Machine, Construction Equipment
• Great door prizes
• 50/50 Raffles with great prizes
• Activities and crafts
• Public admission fee $5 per person / $20 max per family
• Benefit Cruise In sponsored by River Valley Rods and Customs
• Poker Run sponsored by LOBO

For information call Terre at 740-687-6616 or Lisa at 740-652-9951

Click here forPDF flyer for Familypalooza

Midwest Fabricating Marrow Donor Drive

	Mid West Fabricating Company Marrow Donor Drive May 13, 2008 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 211 North Johns Street Amanda, Ohio 43102 For more information, please call (740) 687-8007 Appointments encouraged but not required

Two Men. Two Stories. One Need.

Todd Fraley was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in May of 2007. Two unrelated perfect matches were found for him through the NMDP Registry. He is currently undergoing a marrow transplant.

David Johns, prominent local business owner, lost his battle to a rare blood disease in 1998 yet his legacy lives on through his family’s community involvement and philanthropic efforts.

It only takes one person to save a life! Please join the Registry. To Join, you only need to:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 60
• Be willing to donate to any patient in need
• Meet health guidelines

Click here for PDF Flyer for the drive

Annual Cruisin to the Shoppe Hop 2008

	Friday, June 6, 5-9 p.m. Olde Towne Pickerington West Columbus Street (St. Rt. 256)

Entry Fee still only $5! Free to the public!
Registration 5-7 p.m. All cars, trucks & bikes welcome

Featuring:

• DJ Stan the Man
• Over 6 decades of cool!
• Dash Plaques & T-shirts to first 100 entrants
  

Sponsored by the Fairfield County ADAMH Board Proceeds go to Pickerington Teen Screen Project
For more information, contact Deblin Jennings 614.833.3808 or visit www.checkthenews.com

Click here for PDF Flyer for the Event

Maywood Mission 4 Person Golf Scramble

MAYWOOD MISSION’S
SWING FOR KIDS

VALLEY VIEW GOLF CLUB
4 PERSON SCRAMBLE

11:00 AM TO ???
SATURDAY ~ JUNE 21, 2008
11:00 am TO 12:00 noon LIGHT LUNCH
DINNER FOLLOWING

$65.00 PER PERSON (includes fees, carts, meals)

PRIZES
1ST and 2ND Place Teams & Special Course Prizes

CALL FOR TEE TIMES

Contact:
Pastor Tony Salvatori 653-5734
Joe Corbin 654-1083

FEES MUST BE PAID NO LATER THAN 4:00 PM
June 18, 2008
1st come 1st serve day of event if tee times are available

Click here for PDF Flyer of the event

Habitat for Humanity 6th Annual Golf Outing

Date: July 12 @ Valley View Golf Course

• Cost: $70.00 Per Person
• Includes: Golf, Cart, Dinner and 2 Drink Coupons
• 18 Hole Four Person Team Scramble
• Registration Limited to 32 Teams
• Mulligans $5.00 Each (Four per Team, One per Player)
• $15.00 Dinner Ticket (If Not Playing Golf)
• Tee Times are First Come First Served, Paid Entries Only!

Click Here for Entry Form (PDF)- Deadline is July 6!

UPS 6th Annual Brown Run

Point in Time Homeless Survey Summary

*Note: the following report refers to attachments that are available by contacting United Way of Fairfield County

Fairfield County Housing Coalition
Point-in-Time Homeless Survey
1/31/08
Summary

Purpose:
The purpose of the Point-in-Time Homeless Survey is to determine the number of unduplicated homeless individuals in Fairfield County on a given day. The results are reviewed by the Fairfield County Housing Coalition. Gaps in the homeless services continuum of care are identified and plans are developed and implemented to close those gaps. The Survey results also help to identify the overall need for homeless services in the County. With diminishing resources and an increased demand for services, most funding sources in the State of Ohio are moving to a competitive process. Demonstrating the need for these services helps Fairfield County service providers remain competitive in efforts to renew existing funding and obtain funding for new projects.

Definitions:
Homeless
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has a very specific definition of who is homeless. A person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below:

• In places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street).
• In an emergency shelter.
• In transitional or supportive housing for homeless.
• Is being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit and no subsequent residence has been identified.
• Is being discharged within a week from an institution, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility or a jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residence has been identified.
• Is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation and no subsequent residence has been identified.

(For more details see attachment A)

Chronically Homeless
HUD defines chronically homeless as an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.

At-Risk
HUD does not consider individuals homeless even if they pay an excessive amount for their housing, their housing is substandard and in need of repair, or the housing is overcrowded. Fairfield County Housing Coalition believes it is important that these individuals be counted even though they do not meet HUD criteria. These individuals face significant housing obstacles and require a number of services in our community. For the purpose of this survey they are defined as at-risk of being homeless.

Method:
The Fairfield County Housing Coalition Point-in-Time Survey was completed using the following primary data sources:

• Agency Survey (See Attachment B )
• Field Outreach

The agency survey was completed by community service providers who work with homeless individuals. The survey contains sections for emergency shelter providers, housing providers and supportive services providers. In order to avoid duplication, providers were given specific instructions on when to count and not to count individuals.

Volunteers and agency representatives conducted a field count and outreach. Visits to areas/parks/buildings where homeless have been known to reside were completed throughout the day. In order to avoid duplication, volunteers were instructed to ask each homeless individual they encountered, “where did you sleep last night?” If the individual responded that they slept in a shelter then they were not counted. (The shelter provider would have counted this individual)

The following is a list of the locations visited by volunteers:

• Public Library
• Maple St. Area and bridge
• United Methodist Church Free Meal
• Hospital ER and Lobby
• Pugh Trucking
• Producer’s Livestock
• YMCA
• Mt. Pleasant Area
• Cinci Park
• Ewing St. Area and bridge
• Sheriff’s Department
• Police Department
• River Valley Mall Area
• Community Transitional Center
• Behind McDonald’s/Kroger’s (Memorial Dr)
• Abandoned Frick Gallager Building
• Ohio Ave.- barns and tree house
• Marten’s Park
• Hocking Park
• Utica Park
• Maple Street Soup Kitchen
• Behind Bob Summeral Tires (Lincoln)
• Metal Fabricators (Pierce)
• Railroad Bridge behind the Eagles
• Hill behind Community Action

Summary of Results:
On 1/31/08, 386 individuals in Fairfield County were identified as being homeless according to the HUD definition. This is a 38% increase over the number of homeless individuals found in 2007. In addition, 28 individuals were found to be at-risk of becoming homeless.

Of the 386 individuals meeting the HUD definition, 343 were sheltered in community homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters or transitional housing  facilities for the homeless. The remaining 43 individuals are unsheltered and on waiting lists for shelter.  The remaining 43 were members of homeless families. This data confirms previous gaps analysis conducted by the Housing Coalition identifying a significant need for increased family shelter capacity.

Sheltered individuals were assessed to identify the primary issue/special need that led to their homelessness:

The high incidence of individuals that are homeless due to mental health or substance abuse issues or both (33%) indicates a shelter plus care model of permanent  housing could have a significant impact on reducing homelessness in Fairfield County. Shelter plus care participants are moved directly into permanent housing and are provided individualized, home-based supportive services to help them transition to stability and independence.

Twenty two individuals in Fairfield County were identified as chronically homeless. These individuals tend to have multiple obstacles to obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, require intensive service coordination and utilize a disproportionate percentage of community resources available for homeless services. These individuals would also benefit greatly from a shelter plus care  model. (For all survey data see attachment C)

Free Discount Drug Cards Still Available

The United Way of Fairfield County has partnered with FamilyWize, to offer free discount drug cards to individuals with no prescription coverage.   These cards are being distributed free of charge and have no application.

Distribution of cards began in June 2007, by December 1584 prescriptions were filled with a savings of over $51,240 or $32.35 per prescription.   Claims per Month:  June 86, July 143 and August 208.

For further information or to get a card, please call the United Way office.

Prevention Works

Prevention Works Coalition

            The primary purpose of the Coalition is to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, among adults by establishing and strengthening collaboration by and between all sectors of the community.

            The focus for 2008 is marijuana use amongst Fairfield County youth.  According to the Youth Behavior Survey, August 2006, over 40% of high school seniors admitted to using marijuana.  Nearly 20% of seniors admitted to using marijuana regularly and within the last 30 days.  Looking at sophomore students, 27% admitted to using marijuana, with 13% admitting to using regularly within the last 30 days.

            The task force will implement a series of educational workshops and training programs for students, parents and the community at large during 2007.  If you are interested in joining them or would like additional information, please call Toni Ashton, Prevention Works Coordinator at 740-681-5542 or tashton@ohiopps.org

Ohio Tobacco Quit Line

Are You Ready to Quit?  The Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE is a FREE telephone based counseling system designed to help you quit using tobacco.  Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and you will be connected with a trained specialist ready to assist you.  You may also visit www.ohioquits.com for more information.  Through the Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE you may also be eligible to receive free or reduced cost nicotine patches.  Call 1-800-QUIT- NOW and start quitting today!