Did you know...
The statewide count of homelessness in September 2010 found 631 individuals, up from 447 in September 2009.
School-age children who experience severe hunger are at increased risk for the following: homelessness, chronic health conditions, stressful life conditions, psychiatric distress, behavioral problems, etc.
Homeless families comprise roughly 34% of the total homeless population.
3,477 people are on the local waiting list for housing assistance and an additional 1,751 households currently receive housing assistance.
Your Gift in Action...
Community Outreach’s General Assistance & Education program provides information and referrals to local agencies and emergency financial assistance for basic needs items, including shelter, utilities, and employment related transportation. Last year, 618 families received financial assistance and 2,673 families received information and referrals.
Community Outreach’s Genesis & JumpStart mentoring programs pair volunteer mentors with homeless or near homeless families to help stablize and focus on financial literacy. Last year 42 families were served through Genesis and 28 families were served through JumpStart. 87% of participants achieved or maintained permanent housing while in Genesis. 53% of JumpStart participants completed their financial literacy handbook.
Feeding South Dakota’s BackPackProgram provides more than 3,400 students in Sioux Falls and surrounding communities with food for the weekend.
Furniture Mission receives donations of gently used furniture and then distributes through social service agency referrals. Last year 2,500 households received furniture. In addition, 272 pack-n-plays were provided to new mothers in need of a place for their baby to sleep.
Lunch is Served – provided 16,388 nutritious mid-day meals for the working poor. A survey of recipients found that 54% would not eat lunch during their work day if the lunches were not provided. Employers also reported a noticeable improvement in the recipients’ attention, energy level, and work performance.
InterLakes Community Action Partnership’s Heartland House provides transitional housing for homeless families and their children, serving 64 families last year. 75% of participants gained employment and 63% of achieved permanent stable housing after completing program.
Salvation Army ‘s Night Watch program served 18,771 meals on 104 Saturday and Sunday nights last year.
Salvation Army’s Social Service Assistance provides emergency financial assistance to individuals and families for basic needs and special needs. Last year they served 9,108 cases and provided utility assistance to 437 households.
Sioux Falls Housing & Redevelopment Commission’s Family Self-Sufficiency program assists low-income individuals and adult family members, who are receiving housing assistance, with eliminating barriers to attaining education and employment skills. Last year 99 participants received 475 hours of one-on-one assistance and had the opportunity to attend 20 different workshops. Of 20 graduates, 12 became totally self-sufficient and 3 became a homeowner.
St Francis House provides transitional housing and case management for families, serving 30 adults and 51 children last year.
Sioux Empire United Way Impact Areas
After-School * Basic Needs * Child Care * Counseling * Disabilities * Diversity * Emergency Services
Health & Healing * Seniors * SFACF * Success By 6 * Youth Development * Youth Outreach