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United Way spotlights human services needs
United Way of Greater Houston today reported the findings of their 2008 Community Assessment in tandem with results from a post-Hurricane Ike front line survey. Both assessments underscored the impact of Hurricane Ike and the economy on the United Way social services safety net.
“Houston is facing a new reality. The pressure on the United Way social services safety net has increased exponentially as a result of Ike and the financial crisis,” said Scott McLean, president of Amegy Bank and 2008 United Way Campaign Chairman. “Our community needs all of us, especially its business leaders, to be courageous in leading by example and giving generously to support the safety net.”
The community assessment is a random sample survey United Way conducts periodically to help identify the community’s needs. This year’s assessment of 1500 households, conducted in June by Zogby International, shows even prior to Hurricane Ike 40 percent of Houston families were concerned about buying groceries—up 14 percent from the 2005 assessment. Of those households, 59 percent had trouble paying for groceries at least once a month.
The assessment also revealed an overwhelming percentage of Houstonians were concerned about both the national economy (88 percent), as well as their family finances (74 percent). Additionally, those polled stated their top individual concerns included: stress/anxiety, money for groceries, healthcare and knowing a substance abuser.
Using Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a model, United Way also conducted a front line survey of Houstonians after Hurricane Ike. The survey, conducted over a ten day period at the beginning of October, details the effects of the storm on more than 2,600 respondents.
Critical needs as identified by hurricane survivors were food, financial assistance, housing, health care, job placement and transportation. While it has been no secret that a majority of Houstonians had their jobs interrupted by Hurricane Ike, what was striking was that 17 percent stated they lost their jobs after the hurricane.
“Families are under a historic amount of stress right now,” says Anna Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “After Ike and the unprecedented financial turmoil, United Way is focused on continuing to provide a helping hand to those in need, and most of all, offer hope.”
Punctuating the two surveys, United Way also gave a report on the number and nature of the calls 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE has received since the beginning of September. Since September 1, 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE has received more than 94,000 calls. The vast majority of which have asked for assistance
• locating food;
• arranging emergency transportation;
• paying utilities, rent or mortgage payments; and
• contacting FEMA.
“For most of us, life has pretty much returned to normal. Yet many in our community live in the midst of a storm every day. They struggle to provide their families with the basic necessities of food, child care and a safe place to live,” said Scott McLean. “Once again we are counting on Houstonians to live up to their caring and compassionate reputation and to give generously to support the services they don’t often see, but were happy to have immediately after the hurricane.”
To download a PowerPoint presentation detailing the results of the 2008 Community Assessment and the post–Hurricane Ike front line survey, please log onto www.unitedwayhouston.org and navigate to the media resources page.
About the United Way of Greater Houston:
For 86 years, the United Way of Greater Houston has been the social service safety net for the Greater Houston Area. United Way is a leader and trusted partner in improving lives, tackling key community social issues, and making a lasting difference. United Way of Greater Houston touches one of every two lives in the Bay Area, Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. United Way focuses on strengthening our community by developing children and youth to their full potential, creating strong families and safe neighborhoods, sustaining senior independence and rebuilding people’s lives in times of crisis. The United Way of Greater Houston is the best way to make the biggest difference in our community changing Houston for good. For information, please visit www.unitedwayhouston.org.
“Houston is facing a new reality. The pressure on the United Way social services safety net has increased exponentially as a result of Ike and the financial crisis,” said Scott McLean, president of Amegy Bank and 2008 United Way Campaign Chairman. “Our community needs all of us, especially its business leaders, to be courageous in leading by example and giving generously to support the safety net.”
The community assessment is a random sample survey United Way conducts periodically to help identify the community’s needs. This year’s assessment of 1500 households, conducted in June by Zogby International, shows even prior to Hurricane Ike 40 percent of Houston families were concerned about buying groceries—up 14 percent from the 2005 assessment. Of those households, 59 percent had trouble paying for groceries at least once a month.
The assessment also revealed an overwhelming percentage of Houstonians were concerned about both the national economy (88 percent), as well as their family finances (74 percent). Additionally, those polled stated their top individual concerns included: stress/anxiety, money for groceries, healthcare and knowing a substance abuser.
Using Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a model, United Way also conducted a front line survey of Houstonians after Hurricane Ike. The survey, conducted over a ten day period at the beginning of October, details the effects of the storm on more than 2,600 respondents.
Critical needs as identified by hurricane survivors were food, financial assistance, housing, health care, job placement and transportation. While it has been no secret that a majority of Houstonians had their jobs interrupted by Hurricane Ike, what was striking was that 17 percent stated they lost their jobs after the hurricane.
“Families are under a historic amount of stress right now,” says Anna Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “After Ike and the unprecedented financial turmoil, United Way is focused on continuing to provide a helping hand to those in need, and most of all, offer hope.”
Punctuating the two surveys, United Way also gave a report on the number and nature of the calls 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE has received since the beginning of September. Since September 1, 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE has received more than 94,000 calls. The vast majority of which have asked for assistance
• locating food;
• arranging emergency transportation;
• paying utilities, rent or mortgage payments; and
• contacting FEMA.
“For most of us, life has pretty much returned to normal. Yet many in our community live in the midst of a storm every day. They struggle to provide their families with the basic necessities of food, child care and a safe place to live,” said Scott McLean. “Once again we are counting on Houstonians to live up to their caring and compassionate reputation and to give generously to support the services they don’t often see, but were happy to have immediately after the hurricane.”
To download a PowerPoint presentation detailing the results of the 2008 Community Assessment and the post–Hurricane Ike front line survey, please log onto www.unitedwayhouston.org and navigate to the media resources page.
About the United Way of Greater Houston:
For 86 years, the United Way of Greater Houston has been the social service safety net for the Greater Houston Area. United Way is a leader and trusted partner in improving lives, tackling key community social issues, and making a lasting difference. United Way of Greater Houston touches one of every two lives in the Bay Area, Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. United Way focuses on strengthening our community by developing children and youth to their full potential, creating strong families and safe neighborhoods, sustaining senior independence and rebuilding people’s lives in times of crisis. The United Way of Greater Houston is the best way to make the biggest difference in our community changing Houston for good. For information, please visit www.unitedwayhouston.org.
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