Karen's Story + A Look Into October's Data
October brought many struggles across our community. From transportation problems and food insecurity to rent and utility needs, many of our neighbors needed a helping hand. For Karen, she needed help with her rent. When her childcare option fell through and Karen missed work to watch her children, she also lost her job. This meant her family of seven was in danger of missing rent. She reached out to United Way of Lincoln County, looking for help. Thankfully, we talked to her about different childcare options in the county, long-term plans that can give her some more wiggle room in her budget, and different programs to help her find a new work. Additionally, we were able to help her cover her rent for the month, giving her the time to come up with a sustainable plan for her and her children. 
Karen's story isn't unique, and several families are facing the same issues. When we look at the data from October, Lincoln County's two highest needs are consistently shelter/housing and utilities. Last month, we had 99 calls to our office, as well as 123 into 211 from people in Lincoln County who were looking for help. Of the 211 calls, 25 people needed help with utility payments, 22 needed help finding shelters, and 22 needed help paying their rent. Since October 2023, nearly all three of these areas have had twice as many calls for people who need extra support.
Karen and her family have come up with a plan to make their monthly bills a little more manageable, and they're set to get through the holiday season with less stress because we were able to be there during their moment of crisis. Many other families are facing the same kinds of struggles. A car breaks down, someone's child gets sick, a parent passes away—there are hundreds of life's surprises that can cause a family to go from secure to unstable. That's why it's United Way of Lincoln County's mission to help connect people to the resources they need so that everyone in Lincoln County can lead thriving, successful lives!