WAUSAU, WI – Marathon County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.  Marathon County has been chosen to receive $45,771 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.  Non-profit organizations and local government agencies providing food and shelter services in Marathon County are eligible to apply for funding.  Applications are available at the United Way office, 705 S. 24^th Ave, Ste 400B, Wausau.  The application deadline is 5:00 pm, Monday, July 15, 2019.

These funds must be used for mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, one-month utility programs to prevent service cut-off, and one-month rent/mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions.

To qualify, the organization must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) and if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

A local board comprised of representatives from county government, local human services agencies, and minority and veterans groups will review the applications and distribute funds awarded to Marathon County. The local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to the Community Center of Hope, The Neighbor’s Place, and the Salvation Army.

Those wishing for more information about the funds may contact United Way of Marathon County’s Community Impact Assistant, Nancy Newville, at 715-298-5717.

JANUARY 2019

Point In Time Count

The Housing and Homelessness Coalition, an initiative of United Way of Marathon County, will be conducting a Point In Time Count during the overnight hours of January 23, 2019.  Teams of volunteers will count individuals experiencing homelessness.  Data gathered helps to provide a snapshot of homelessness in Marathon County.  Local organizations use the information to evaluate housing and homeless assistance.  The count includes people who are unsheltered living on the streets and those staying in homeless shelters.  To sign up to volunteer for the Point in Time Count, contact MaiGer Moua at 715-298-5726.

Project Connect

From 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on January 24, 2019, local non-profit organizations will be hosting Project Connect at The Salvation Army Worship and Community Center, 103 S. Second Avenue, Wausau.  The event includes a free lunch served from 12:00-1:00 and free showers.  Those attending will also have the opportunity to connect with local organizations that may be able to assist with housing challenges.  Anyone who is having trouble with rent, house payments or other issues related to housing is encouraged to attend.

Informational poster

JANUARY 2019

Helping your community may be as simple as completing a survey.

The 12th LIFE in Marathon County Report project launches this week with the mailing of the LIFE Survey to 2100 randomly selected households in Marathon County. The survey is being conducted by UW-River Falls Survey Research Center.

“We strongly encourage people who receive the survey to fill it out and return it,” said Tara Draeger, Chair of the LIFE Committee.  “By participating in this important survey, respondents have the opportunity to help influence the 2019-2021 LIFE in Marathon County Report which sets a road map for future improvements in our County.”

The survey gathers Marathon County resident’s opinions on a variety of topics addressing the quality of life in Marathon County.  It includes a variety of questions on topics such as health insurance coverage, transportation concerns, and what services residents value in our community.

The survey is a critical part of the LIFE report, a data driven report of over 65 indicators.  A good survey response rate ensures accurate results for the report and provides information that isn’t available from other sources.

About the LIFE Report

The LIFE in Marathon County report is possible thanks to 17 funding partners and dozens of volunteers.  It presents indicators covering seven categories ranging from basic needs, health, safety, education, aging, and the environment to our economic climate.  Indicators drill down to specific issues. For example, in the Basic Needs section data on hunger, homelessness,  and access to transportation is presented.  The report is widely used by business leaders, government offices, and non-profit organizations in planning, grant writing, and grant making.

The LIFE Report has been published every other year since 1997 by the LIFE Steering Committee.   The next report, for 2019–2021, will be the project’s 12th report and celebrates 24 years of influencing change in the community.  It will be released in January 2020.  The current edition of the report is available on the United Way website at https://www.unitedwaymc.org/community-data/life-report/.  United Way serves as the fiscal agency for this community project.