Sioux Empire United Way - Your Gift in Action

May 2007
Disabilities Impact Area

Your Gift in Action is a monthly update from the Sioux Empire United Way. The newsletter demonstrates how donor contributions work throughout the year. Each month focuses on a different community need/issue addressed by United Way and our volunteers.

Every dollar truly matters and makes a difference in a life. Here's how your contribution has been working...

In April, an average of 44 individuals were provided with Alternative Services each week. Alternative Services include: pet therapy, swimming, walks, zoo outings and more. Highlights last month included 23 individuals being able to attend the Shrine Circus, Lion's Pancake Feed, roller skating, and the play "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...Abridged" done by The Children's Theatre Company.
USD Scottish Rite served over 100 children and their families in 2006, providing speech and language sessions.
118 individuals with disabilities were provided with Supported Employment & Living assistance in April. These individuals are provided assistance with acquiring the skills necessary for employment, assistance in seeking employment, and the opportunity to live independently in the community.

Need for Disabilities Programs

Over 18,000 people age 5 or older in Sioux Falls are living with some type of disability.

15-20% of the population have a reading disability. Of those 85% have dyslexia.

Research indicates that 10% of the population suffers from a communication disorder.

Impact Programs Make

For every $1.00 Vocational Training Services invests in individuals to build daily living, social, and employment skills, consumers will experience an increase in earnings over $13.

75% of participants of Vocational Services were placed in community employment.

Many individuals with developmental disabilities do not have the necessary resources or skills to access appropriate employment, housing, medical resources and social opportunities. Programs funded by the Sioux Empire United Way help these individuals remain independent and improve their quality of life.

Agencies & Programs

DakotAbilities
Alternative Services

Sioux Falls Area Literacy Council

South Dakota ACHIEVE
Supported Employment & Living

USD Scottish Rite's Clinic
Speech and Language Therapy

Volunteers of America, Dakotas
Vocational Training Services

For more information about disability programs or to volunteer call the HELP!Line Center at 211 (or 605-339-4357) or visit http://www.helplinecenter.org/

What Matters...

Most people don't enjoying paying rent. But Corey isn't most people.

"I really like the Vikings," said Corey. He points to a white football smothered with signatures. "Everyone but two players signed it," he said.

22 year-old Corey was diagnosed with spastic quadriparesis at birth. With the help of Supported Employment & Living, a South Dakota ACHIEVE program funded by the Sioux Empire United Way, Corey is able to live in an apartment of his own.

"I just like it here," said Corey. "I don't miss where I lived before at all."

Corey used to live in a group home with eleven other individuals. Thanks to the Sioux Empire United Way, South Dakota ACHIEVE is able to provide staff to assist people like Corey, enabling them to live in an apartment in the community.

Because we know what matters.

And what matters to Corey, "I don't have to depend on anyone else or worry about other people, I just got to be me."

The Decision Makers

There are currently eight volunteers on the Disabilities Impact Team. These individuals provide stewardship to United Way contributors while planning, setting priorities, distributing funds and developing collaborative community solutions. This team specifically addresses the need for programs that address challenges and stresses in people’s lives so they can solve problems and strengthen their lives.