United Way celebrates 40th anniversary

The United Way Family Services Association is celebrating its 40th year by offering a series of free lunch talks open to residents and students.\nFor the next three Fridays, the UWFSA will provide free speakers who will discuss and offer advice on issues such as divorce, problem solving within a family and the experience of growing up in a family with someone who was a substance-abuser or involved with other compulsive behavior. The talks will take place at the Fairview United Methodist Church, 600 W. Sixth St., from noon to 1 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunches; free childcare will be provided. \nDr. Margaret Squires is a UWFSA volunteer assisting with the lunch talks. She provides counseling services for Oak Tree Counseling, one of the UWFSA agencies. She became involved in the organization because of the demand in the community for such assistance.\n"There are a lot of important services the community needs," Squires said. "Counseling is very important for people to restore their health and balance emotionally. UWFSA is a good agency that really cares about their clients."\nEarlier this month, the United Way Community Services of Monroe County also kicked off its "neighbors helping neighbors" fund-raising campaign. According to a press release, the UWCS chose Sept. 11 as the start date since the organization wished to honor the spirit of togetherness and resilience shown by Americans in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks two years ago.\nThis year's fund-raising goal is $1.6 million, down from the 2002 campaign goal of $1.78 million. The funds will be used to support numerous local organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club, Area 10 Agency on Aging and Hoosier Hills Food Bank.\n"The United Way wants to help those people who have experienced difficult times," said UW Executive Director Michael Reinke. "Across the country, more people have been laid off, so there are more people who are struggling to get by." \nReinke said they hope to raise all of the money through pledges, local fund-raisers and volunteers by November in order to have a definite total by January. Through all the fund-raisers and events, he said the organization wants to inform the public about the problems in Monroe County and encourage residents to donate to the cause.\n"Monroe County is a great place to have a family, but many of us are unaware of the people who might live next door who need help," Reinke said. "People don't realize how easy it is to help, so we try to educate and motivate people to provide that help."\nOpened in 1963, the UWFSA responded to community interest in a program offering family counseling both on a fee and free basis. Since then, the agency has expanded to include Oak Tree Counseling, Parent Outreach and Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. All agencies encourage people from all income levels to use their services, since those services are available on a sliding fee scale based upon the client's financial situation.\nThe agencies have a diverse list of services, while focusing on different familial aspects. Oak Tree Counseling specializes in counseling individuals, couples, families and groups. Parent Outreach works to provide information for good parenting and to support parents in their efforts. One sector of Parent Outreach is Families in Transition, a program providing parent training and support to inmates while in jail. Finally, the Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocate program offers trained volunteers to watch over and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the legal system.\n-- Contact staff writer Julia Blanford at jblanfor@indiana.edu