Success Stories

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Lilly is a 23-year-old soon to be single female raising two children. She called Northwestern Ohio Community Action early last month in a panic as her gas had been shut off. She explained that she and her husband were going through a bitter divorce and he had both the gas and electric shut off without telling her.

Lilly had no hot water to shower or bathe her children with, and no way to cook since she had a gas stove. She and the children had not been able to have a hot meal for three days. With help from family, she was able to get the electric service restored, but didn’t know what to do about the $134.53 needed to restore her gas service. She had no income coming into the home and found herself in a crisis.

Community Action was able to utilize the funding provided by United Way to assist with the reconnection of Lilly’s gas service. Lilly was referred to Job and Family Services for food stamps and possible cash assistance. Currently, Lilly is working part-time and receiving child support. Thanks to the help provided by Community Action and the United Way, she has been able to maintain self-sufficiency and provide for herself and her children.

Jimmy, 55, has moderate mental retardation and a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He came to Lutheran Social Services because his emotions were on the surface, he cried easily, and he quickly became angry and overreacted.

Jimmy lives in a group home and his behaviors were becoming very disruptive for other residents. Jimmy’s mother had passed away unexpectedly and he didn’t know how to deal with the sadness and many other emotions that he was feeling.

After meeting several times with a therapist at Lutheran Social Services, not only did Jimmy learn health ways to work through his grief, but his caregivers also learned effective ways to work with Jimmy during this tender time. Jimmy is just one of the many people assisted through Lutheran Social Services, thanks to the United Way.

Jackie called 2-1-1 to reach First Call for Help, requesting help with a rent payment. The payment was due earlier in the month and the Landlord is understanding and is allowing them extra time to find a payment method. Jackie has four children under the age of five in the home. Referrals were provided by the 2-1-1 counselor to various agencies that could help her.

During a follow up call from First Call, Jackie said that though things are still rough, they will soon be getting better. She is concerned that their taxes will be coming due soon too. A referral was provided for the VA and she states that the VA is helping them catch up with housing and utility payments. Jackie was glad to find out that First Call for Help isn’t just for people who need mental health care and that she is very glad that she took the chance and called 2-1-1. Jackie is just one of the 3,418 Williams County residents served by First Call for Help and 2-1-1. United Way provides the bulk of the funding for 2-1-1 services in Williams County.

Jane came into the YMCA with a letter from her Doctor outlining her many medical problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, back pain, cancer of the uterus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Jane had recently divorced and with a very limited disability income, she was in need of a water exercise program that we offer. The funding that YMCA receives from United Way allowed them to offer Jane a scholarship in order to make the membership affordable. Jane has been visiting the pool and has plans in place to lose 15 pounds, quit smoking, and dramatically reduce her need for medication. Thanks to the United Way, stories like this are possible every day!

The Williams County Association for the Mentally Handicapped, with the help of funding from the Williams County United Way, was able to offer a group of consumers the opportunity to travel by chartered bus out of state to Pennsylvania for three days. The Association utilized the United Way dollars to offset some of the fees for the trip, which was planned for the adult summer recreation program.

The trip was something different and new to the group and the response we received back was good. Most of our consumers do not get the chance to leave the state of Ohio let alone Bryan, so we thought most of them would be excited to participate on this trip. The summer recreation program offers a vacation to individuals that would not otherwise be able to afford to take one. It allows the consumers the opportunity to take time away from work and peers and enjoy recreational and social opportunities that are not usually offered to them. It also gives family members respite time while away from their loved ones and the challenges they face.

While traveling in Pennsylvania the group enjoyed a theatre production, a visit to a working dairy and chicken farm, a train ride, shopping at an outlet mall, and Hershey’s Chocolate World. A survey was sent out after the trip; nothing but positive feedback was returned. All that went on this trip are looking forward to another trip being planned for next summer and many have given at least one suggestion of where they would like to travel. Thanks to the United Way, this service is available to those in need in our community.

In coaching rec soccer I found two sisters, Stacey and Sonia, that came to every practice without two essential things … cleats and shin guards. Now after asking them on two separate occasions to come prepared for the next practice they said “Grandma can’t afford to buy us new shoes.”

After telling this story to another coach, I was informed of the “Let Me Play” Fund that the United Way offers at the YMCA. I had Stacey and Sonia’s Grandmother go to the Y and the next day they had new cleats and shin guards! The United Way made it possible for two girls who quite possibly enjoyed the season more than anyone on the team to be able to play.

The “Let Me Play” program is funded totally by the United Way of Williams County, and is administered by the Williams County Family YMCA. While there are income and other guidelines, families do not need to be members of the Y to receive this service.

The Compassion Medical Clinic saw 720 patients last year. Many of them hadn't been able to see a doctor for a while. These patients aren't looking for handouts; they are looking for help with their medical conditions and basic medical care. Many of our patients are working but are unable to afford health coverage or coverage isn't available to them. We have seen an increase in patients needing us because of lay-offs and job cuts as well.

We had one patient in particular who came to see us within a month of our opening. He had been suffering with back pain for about a year. Unfortunately, he didn't have healthcare coverage and didn't want to "rack up a bill" that he couldn't pay by seeing a doctor. Joe was overjoyed when he was able to come to the clinic for free. A number of tests were ordered and the results came in - he had cancer. The cancer had progressed too far for much to be done. If only he could have seen someone sooner. Joe passed away within months of his diagnosis.

The good news is that with the help of our local community and the United Way the clinic is here and able to provide services and referrals when needed. Let's join forces to make sure that there isn't another "Joe" in Williams County.

My name is Jeff. I used to be an alcoholic. I've struggled with this disease since the early Eighties. I have been in and out of AA and many rehab facilities over the years. I have lost family, lots of jobs, places to live but more importantly my self respect, self-worth and a reason to live. I had a big void in my life that I filled with alcohol and it became all consuming.

I came to Potter's Hands Restoration Center thinking it was a homeless shelter, another rehab facility where I can sober up for awhile. What I found was a new identity for my life. I've developed a relationship with my Lord that goes way beyond religion. I've found a new purpose and a whole new outlook on life. That void that I used to have inside is now filled with love and joy, a new freedom from the things that used to keep me bound up and wanting to drink. Potter's Hands was a life saving miracle for me.

Potter's Hands is funded through United Way of Williams County and the generosity of private individuals, organizations, and companies. All of whom I would like to say "Thank You for helping to restore my life." God has delivered me from this fatal disease and given me a new lease on life.

The Williams County Family and Children First Council and United Way of Williams County have partnered to bring the Families and Schools Together (F.A.S.T.) Program to North Central Middle School in Pioneer. This program brings families into the school once a week to spend time together as a family, enjoy a meal and discuss topics that affect their lives. This program has been proven to help families stay together and functional, and improve success in school. Sue Ellen, a parent from this program writes:

“I can not say enough good things about our time spent in the F.A.S.T. program. We started going into this just a simple night out with each other and our thoughts of this program grew into this becoming part of our family routine. EVERYONE helped with every day challenges that each of our families came across, it helped to hear that other families were going through the same struggles.

“Each of my 4 children (2 grown and 2 in school) have all enjoyed and have been blessed to be a part of this program as well as my husband and myself. My son is now helped out with the new F.A.S.T Families that are now coming through, he wants to help out with this wonderful program. I hope that you continue to provide this program to all, it has been to my family and those who have yet to enter, a GREAT Blessing and an honor to be a part of.”