The number of United Way Unmet Needs Committee meetings doubled last year.

“Many people are struggling with basic living needs as a result of the pandemic” said Sarah Roman, social services case worker, Care Coordination, Blessing Health System and former Unmet Needs Committee member.

“It’s the highest it has been in a long time” added Dana Herring, social services case worker, Care Coordination, Blessing Health System and current Unmet Needs Committee member. “Some people are behind on their rent by as much as $4,000.”

When Adams County residents have a need that affects their quality of life - such as rent, mortgage and utility bills, food insufficiency or a health related issue - and cannot find help the Unmet Needs Committee works to find the resources to assist when all other avenues of assistance have been exhausted. People are referred to the committee either through an area social service agency or through the United Way’s HelpLine.

The committee always has a volunteer on it from the health system’s Care Coordination department. This allows an efficient and effective way for Blessing to share the resources it has to offer agencies working with people who have an unmet healthcare need, while staying current with what other organizations and agencies have to offer to health system patients who have unmet social needs. Representatives of Adams County churches, social services and other healthcare agencies make up the rest of the committee membership.

“The sheer amount of need blew me away,” Sarah said of her years as an Unmet Needs Committee member. “The fact that we have so many homeless folks, so many people unable to pay their utilities and are behind on their rent or mortgage - it makes you aware of how large that need is, no matter the size of our communities.”

“Learning about the resources, grants and the opportunities that are available within our community is amazing,” said Dana. “And being able to network with the agencies offering those resources and grants and opportunities also helps me and my coworkers in meeting the needs of Blessing’s patients.”

Partially in response to the growing problem of unpaid rent and mortgage bills, the United Way has created the Transitional Housing Task Force. Other issues that led to the creation of this new task force is the recent loss of two motels/hotels in Quincy that offered shelter to low income residents and the fact that the Salvation Army homeless shelter is often at capacity.

Sarah now serves on the Transitional Housing Task Force.

“As a community we’ve got to come up with resources to meet this need,” she stated. “The task force is just getting started. We are brainstorming to develop an action plan.”

Sarah and Dana hope their health system coworkers will support the work of the United Way and its member agencies with a donation this summer during the annual health system fund drive.

“Every dollar counts and really makes a difference,” Dana shared.

About the United Way HelpLine

The United Way of Adams County HelpLine, 217-224-1223, provides free information and referral services to assist people in finding the help they need.

Whether it’s a phone number, information about the availability of a service or assistance in finding health care, housing, food, utility and rent assistance, senior services, substance abuse programs or legal services, the United Way Help Line can help.

The caller speaks with the United Way's Director of Programs and Services and discusses their current situation, receives an assessment of their needs and a referral to a community resource for help.