United Way of St. Joseph County Releases Community Needs Assessment

Dec. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- United Way of St. Joseph County just released the 2012 Needs Assessment Report. The comprehensive data and research compiled in the needs assessment report provides a detailed picture of our community’s most pressing needs. Additionally, the report exposes gaps in current services and barriers to unmet needs, providing insight into the best avenues for United Way and its partner agencies to combat our county’s greatest challenges as well as determining priority areas.

The research includes a thorough assessment of St Joseph County’s current landscape based on statistical data. The results support United Way’s proposed funding priorities for July 2013 - June 2016 of Education, Income and health — the three fundamental building blocks to a successful life. The study includes eyeopening statistics in each area of concentration such as:

Education: Both Mishawaka and South Bend Community Schools have a dropout rate of approximately 10%.
Income: Almost one in four families in our county is living in poverty with chronic instability and stress.
Health: The rate of obesity in St. Joseph County is 30% —well over the national benchmark of 25%.

The report also notes United Way’s goals for each area of funding and the indicators it will use to determine success.

The full report is available on United Way of St. Joseph County’s website at, https://www.uwsjc.org/resources/resources/567-2012-needs-assessment.html. If you would like a formal presentation of the Needs Assessment Report by a United Way staff member, please contact Karen Sommers at 574.232.8201, ext. 232 to make your request.

United Way of St. Joseph County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating long-lasting change, ensuring all residents have access to the building blocks to a better life: education, income and health. For more information about United Way of St. Joseph County, visit www.uwsjc.org, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @uwstjoecounty.