What's New

Addressing the Challenges of Homelessness

Last year nearly 1,100 homeless individuals stayed in temporary shelter at our United Way partner agencies. This number is in addition to the 386 photovictims of domestic violence who also received protective shelter. While transitioning homeless clients to more permanent housing situations has presented tremendous challenges, United Way agencies have established an impressive record of collaboration in finding solutions.

The Community Missions Corporation recently dedicated Juda House, a facility that offers permanent, supportive housing for chronically homeless men. The Juda House program incorporates a case management approach to help residents address barriers to independent living. Next year CMC plans to open St. Joseph’s Haven, which will provide transitional housing for men.

The Cold Weather Shelter became “My Brother’s House” and moved into a renovated building adjacent to Juda House. The facility operates as an overflow shelter during the months of January, February, and March. It also serves men who do not qualify for the Salvation Army Shelter. When a delay occurred in the remodeling effort at My Brother’s House, the American Red Cross came to the rescue with shelter space until the repairs could be completed.

Catholic Charities assists women who are leaving the YWCA and Salvation Army shelters to move into permanent housing. This continuum of services offers an example of how United Way partner agencies work together to meet both immediate and long-term needs. It also underscores the importance of United Way funding as a way to leverage additional resources for the community. In this instance, Catholic Charities used their United Way support as part of the local match to obtain a HUD grant. And United Way’s HELP Fund has supplied case management for the women served through the grant.

Since so many of the homeless clients deal with serious mental health issues, agencies have now joined together in an effort to expand counseling resources. By addressing root causes, the approach will work to improve the clients’ own capacity for becoming self-sufficient.

Making a splash—cooperation promotes water safety.

“You need to be proud of your ability to save a life,” American Red Cross health and safety director Sue Loeber always tells prospective lifeguards. Students in lifeguard classes learn basic water rescue techniques along with first aid, CPR, and the use of automatic external defibrillators. The Red Cross is at the forefront of water safety training in Northwest Missouri, providing lifeguard instruction for 335 participants in just the past year. With approximately 25 public and private pools in the area, the need is constant for well-trained guards.

United Way stresses collaboration among partner agencies, and that cooperation has proven to be a key to effective water safety programs. Not only does the Red Cross coordinate with municipalities and universities in the region, but the agency also works through the aquatics programs at both the YMCA and YWCA. This approach makes good use of resources since, as Sue points out, the Red Cross does not need to build and maintain a pool.

YWCA aquatics coordinator Melissa Ferguson touts the benefits of cooperation to her agency as well. With the expansion of YWCA-Red Cross collaboration, the YWCA aquatics program has really taken off. “We now offer Red Cross swim lessons year-round, lifeguard classes year-round, water safety instructor and lifeguard instructor courses,” Melissa says, “as well as a host of other programs.“ In just two years, YWCA has experienced a 61 percent increase in swim lessons. “Our problem is no longer in trying to grow,” Melissa says, “but in trying to keep up with the growth!”

This year the Red Cross program offered through the YWCA expects to certify or renew certifications for approximately 80 lifeguards. “These guards will be employed at public and private pools throughout Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas this summer,” Melissa says, “helping to combat the lifeguard shortage this area has each year.” And to ensure competency for future participants, the YWCA is now offering Red Cross “GuardStart” classes to help 11 to 14-year-olds gain the swimming ability and endurance to be successful when they are old enough to take the lifeguard course.

Mark Woodbury is elected chairman of the board.

Mark Woodbury Photo“I am both honored and privileged to help lead a great organization that does so much to improve lives in the St. Joseph area,” said newly elected United Way board chairman, Mark R. Woodbury. Mark is a shareholder in the firm of Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C., and he has been a United Way volunteer for 20 years. Prior to becoming United Way board chairman, he served as the organization’s secretary.
In addition to his work with United Way, Mark serves on the boards of directors of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, the Buchanan County Ecomomic Development Council, the St. Joseph Business Park Corporation, and the St. Joseph Regional Port Authority where he is also the secretary/treasurer. He is the past president of the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America and has served a number of terms on the board of directors of Specialty Industries of St. Joseph, Inc.