Meaningful programs for youth help create strong foundations for Delaware County's future leaders.

Liberty Community Center- Offers high-quality, affordable early childhood day care and preschool programs for at-risk and typical children, providing a safe and nurturing environment. 

"Three-year-old Joseph was enrolled by his mother in Liberty Community Center two short weeks before she left for a tour of duty in Iraq. Joseph's grandparents, both employed full-time, agreed to care for him while she was overseas. The results of a developmental screening revealed what both teachers and grandparents suspected: Joseph had a delay in speech and language acquisition. Through our collaboration with the Delaware Speech & Hearing Center, Joseph was able to receive speech therapy while at LCC. This eliminated a major barrier to service, as Joseph's grandparents did not have to coordinate his services in the evenings or on weekends. Most importantly, Joseph is now in our pre-kindergarten program, on track for a successful transition to elementary school."

Big Brothers Big Sisters- Provides professionally screened adult volunteers to act as friends and role models to children from one-parent homes, giving them individual attention, guidance and friendship.  

"Alissa has had the privilege of being matched to her Big Sister, Nancy, for the past six years. Nancy has been a consistent role model throughout this timeframe, encouraging Alissa to accomplish goals she identified when she first entered the mentoring program. With the friendship and guidance of her Big Sister, Alissa has always done well in school, even when faced with adversity in her home life. Over the years, Alissa's family has moved four times, and Alissa is often called upon by her mother to help care for her autistic younger brother. This past year, when her mother lost her job, Alissa was the sole provider for the household. She also played basketball, ran track, and mentored other children through a school program. While doing all of this, Alissa maintained a 3.5 GPA. Her senior year she excelled with a 4.0 GPA and is a key player on the varsity basketball team. Alissa has been accepted to two colleges, and hopes to play basketball in college and graduate with an accounting degree." 

Action for Children's Family Resource Center- Strengthening families by bringing services together under one roof enabling children to come to school ready to learn.

"Lupe and her family moved to Delaware County from California, where they primarily spoke Spanish. The Hispanic Outreach intern at Ohio Wesleyan connected Lupe with the Family Resource Center (FRC), to see if Lupe was eligible for Medicaid. As 'working poor,' Lupe and her family did not appear eligible for assistance, and yet, their income was low enough to present numerous challenges. Lupe began attending ESOL (English as Second Language) classes at the FRC stating that she wanted to learn English so she could talk to her children's teachers and do better at her job. When Lupe became pregnant, she had to leave her job. Eventually, Lupe's husband was able to get health insurance through his employer. The FRC coordinator helped Lupe contact the health insurance provider to get answers to their questions regarding coverage. The FRC also assisted Lupe in choosing an OB and finding a translator, so Lupe could receive and understand the prenatal care she needed. Lupe continues to attend ESOL classes to better her English skills and reduce her isolation in the Delaware community."

Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Treatment for drug and alcohol abuse brought effective results through United Way-supported programs at Maryhaven.

"Jim successfully completed Maryhaven's outpatient drug counseling program and has remained clean and sober for the past 9 straight months. He is now a full-time employee where he trains new hires at a local eating establishment. Jim helps raise his two young children and is being the father and husband he was not for several years. He also chairs 1 of the 4 NA meetings he attends weekly. Jim is getting ready to obtain his GED after which he plans to go to college to become trained to help others to overcome addictive illness."

Senior Citizen Enrichment Programs Make a Difference
Access to adult day care services through the Heritage Day Adult Day Care Program prevented 53 percent of their participants from being placed in nursing homes.

"Donna, age 83, recently moved to Delaware to live with her daughter after suffering several small strokes, which affected her short term memory and ability to walk.  Donna found herself suddenly away from her friends and social support group, increasingly dependent on her daughter for physical and emotional support, less active than when she lived alone, and sleeping more.  She began attending Heritage Day Health Centers three days per week while her daughter worked.  Initially apprehensive, she began exercising at the center, engaging in art projects, singing, playing cards and participating in discussion groups.  She also began physical therapy services.  Donna is now frequently observed laughing and visiting with her new friends, walking more confidently and safely, and participating in activities that engage both her mind and her body.".

Central Ohio Mental Health
Transportation assistance for clients to physician and counselor appointments.

"A single mom with a preschooler had no vehicle or access to transportation. She is unable to work due to mental health issues. She expressed gratitude that we could provide tokens for transporting her to her therapy. Financially, she could not afford to pay for transportation. She said it helps her manage her stress and feel better when she comes to counseling. She thinks she would not be doing very well without the counseling. She volunteers at a social service agency, and likes to try to give back to others."

Community Action Organization
Programs and services that support self-sufficiency, including free earned income tax credit counseling and filing.

"One woman came to receive free tax preparation and after saving hundreds of dollars she immediately got on the phone at our site and called her family and friends to tell them about it.  She liked what we were doing so much she became a volunteer, helping set up appointments.  The earned income tax program gave her the opportunity to help others financially as well as receiving help herself."

Legal Aid
Emergency legal assistance to help clients become more self-sufficient.

"Staci called us for services after her husband had filed for divorce.  He was abusive towards her and the children had witnessed the violence.  Staci had been a stay at home mother for years, so she had very little work experience and had no job or income to fall back on, which put her at risk for losing her children.  The husband was asking for custody of the children, was trying to keep the marital residence, trying to get her to pay him child support and spousal support leaving her with nothing.  After seeking help from Legal Aid, the parties entered into a Shared Parenting Plan.  Staci was granted child support, her portion of equity out of the marital residence, funds to help cover day care expenses, and an adequate amount of the tax refund.  Without Legal Aid's assistance, Staci could have lost custody, been paying child support, and probably would not have received any sort of property settlement."

People In Need
Providing advocacy and emergency assistance to residents in the areas of food, utilities, housing, medical and dental.

"Jim was referred to PIN by the Council for Older Adults for assistance with a prescription.  Jim and his wife Sally are both enrolled in the Council's prescription assistance program, but Jim was prescribed a pain medication not covered under the program.  PIN was able to purchase the needed prescription and since this is a temporary condition the continuing prescriptions or "maintenance medications" are covered under the Council's program."

Helpline's 211 and Information & Referral Line
211 provides 24-hour crisis and mental health support and linkage to community resources.

"A young lady came into our offices saying she had been driving around and came into Helpline because we had helped her once in the past with a water shut-off problem. Clearly, she was suicidal. Our staff contacted the mental health center and set up an appointment that day for her to talk with a counselor. Helpline staff followed the client over to the center, to ensure she made it there safely and would indeed speak with the counselor. This is an example of linkage and advocacy often needed to help get a client the assistance and service they need."

Marion Shelter (note: approximately half of the clients served in the Marion Shelter come from Delaware and Union counties)
Providing shelter for up to 90 days as well as educational and community resources allowing homeless individuals to get the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce and be self-sufficient.

"A single mom with no job arrived to our facility with no place to go and no food to eat. She started on the shelter side and worked her way into transitional housing. She eventually moved into her own apartment. Today, she is a full-time student at Marion Technical College and will graduate next quarter. She is also a part-time employee with the Shelter. She is the epitome of what impact we can have on a person – who is equally driven to succeed."