Services:
During 2010, United Way 211 Portage, a centralized information, referral and resource center, assisted 20,732 individuals and families in locating over 23,500 services to meet their health and human service needs.
Staff at 211 Portage handled 17,941 requests for services. Staff at Info Line, Inc. handled 2,791 requests for services (after-hours, weekends & holidays). Of the services requested, 12,320, or 52.2%, were for assistance with basic needs: food, shelter, material goods, temporary financial aid, and transportation.
United Way 211 Portage began using the ReferNet Call Center System during 2010, which allows each I&R call center to create and maintain its own local resource data file in the central system while collectively sharing these locally maintained resource files with the other I&R network members. Every regional call center in the network has immediate access to the latest service provider data throughout the state and this data is immediately available to the local or statewide ReferWEB Public Access website and the ReferONE Emergency Management System.
During 2010, over 17,500 copies of the 2009-2010 edition of the Yellow Pages for Today’s Families directories were distributed to families and agencies serving families throughout Portage County. Over 3,000 copies of the 2007 Senior Services Directory were distributed to older adults and agencies serving older adults. These directories, as well as the 2010 Checklist of Community Services and the 2010 Senior Services Checklist, are available via the internet, at United Way’s web site, www.uwportage.org.
United Way 211 Portage provides screening and referral to four (4) of the nine (9) emergency food cupboards in Portage County and serves as the clearinghouse for school supplies and holiday assistance programs throughout the county.
United Way 211 Portage produces the quarterly newsletter, the EA Update, in collaboration with the Emergency Assistance network of Portage County. The EA Update provides caseworkers, social service personnel, as well as individuals and families with information about services that may be available on a quarterly basis. 211 Portage also produces the Emergency Assistance Network: Year in Review. This annual publication provides information on the resources utilized by low-income households in Portage County, and is sent to over 225 local, county, and state government officials, agencies, organizations, planners, and funders.
United Way 211 Portage, in collaboration with AARP, coordinates the Tax Aide Program in Portage County, which provides free federal and state tax filing assistance to older adults and low-income individuals at various locations throughout Portage County. During the 2010 tax season, the Tax Aide volunteers filed 983 tax returns.
United Way 211 Portage connects people with opportunities to serve and to build community, and assists non-profit organizations by channeling both volunteers and donations.
United Way 211 Portage continues to serve as a volunteer station for the Senior Companion Program, overseeing six (6) senior volunteers, who provide companionship and other assistance to other older adults.