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United Way 211 Portage
(formerly First Call For Help & Volunteer Portage) began
providing our comprehensive information and referral service via
2-1-1 on November 3, 2003. With the implementation of 2-1-1
service in Portage County, United Way’s First Call For Help and
Volunteer Portage programs combined to become United Way 211
Portage.
During 2007, United Way 211 Portage, a centralized
information, referral and resource center, assisted more than
12,500 individuals and families in locating over 15,000 services
to meet their health and human service needs. Of the services
requested, 48.6% were for assistance with basic needs: food,
shelter, material goods, temporary financial aid, and
transportation.
Over 575 individuals utilized Tele-Tips, which offers
pre-recorded messages on a variety of health and human service
topics and provides information on and referral to services
available to community residents.
Over 39,000 copies of the 2007-2008 edition of the Yellow
Pages for Today's Families directories were distributed to
families and agencies serving families throughout Portage
County. Over 11,000 copies of the 2007 Senior Services
Directory were distributed to older adults and agencies
serving older adults. These directories, as well as the 2007
Checklist of Community Services and the 2007 Senior
Services Checklist, are available via the internet, at
United Way’s web site,
www.uwportage.org.
United Way 211 Portage continues to serve as the primary
clearinghouse for Portage County’s Medicaid Outreach Campaign.
During 2007, staff received 170 requests for information
regarding Medicaid coverage to individuals and families in need
of obtaining health coverage.
United Way 211 Portage provides screening and referral to
three (3) of the nine (9) emergency food cupboards in Portage
County and serves as the clearinghouse for school supplies and
holiday assistance programs throughout the county.
United Way 211 Portage produces the quarterly newsletter,
the EA Update, in collaboration with the Emergency
Assistance network of Portage County. The EA Update
provides caseworkers, social service personnel, as well as
individuals and families with information about services that
may be available on a quarterly basis. 211 Portage also
produces the Emergency Assistance Network: Year in Review.
This annual publication provides information on the resources
utilized by low-income households in Portage County, and is sent
to over 225 local, county, and state government officials,
agencies, organizations, planners, and funders.
United Way 211 Portage, in collaboration with AARP,
coordinates the Tax Aide Program in Portage County, which
provides free federal and state tax filing assistance to older
adults and low-income individuals at various locations
throughout Portage County. During the 2007 tax season,
volunteers completed 750 tax returns.
United Way 211 Portage connects people with opportunities
to serve and to build community, and assists non-profit
organizations by channeling both volunteers and donations.
United Way 211 Portage highlighted volunteer needs in the
community through a monthly column in the Record Courier, that
appeared the fourth Tuesday of the month; coordinates United
Way’s annual Days of Caring; and works collaboratively
with the Volunteer Administrators’ Network in planning
activities for Make a Difference Day and National
Volunteer Week.
United Way 211 Portage continues to serve as a volunteer
station for the Senior Companion Program, overseeing ten (10)
senior volunteers, who provide companionship and other
assistance to other older adults. |
