Critical Needs

In 2005, we partnered with North Shore Community College and commissioned a community needs assessment to identify the most pervasive needs in our communities.  We wanted to focus our energies and our dollars on programs that focus on these needs.  The results were documented in the “Report on Critical Community Needs,” which is available by clicking here.  Each year, we review the community needs to insure that we are still focusing on the right areas.  While significant progress has been made, we find in 2009 that the 5 most critical areas of need remain as they were identified in 2005:

1. Basic Needs (ensure adequate shelter, nutrition, heat and safety)
2. Child and After School Care (support affordable, quality care and engage youth in productive after-school activities)
3. Housing (increase the capacity for housing development while supporting housing stability with financial literacy, child care and community safety)
4. Health Care (integrate the role of social services into health care settings and increase health education and preventive care)
5. Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (support youth, parents and schools in reducing risky behaviors while providing prevention and intervention services)

The mission of the North Shore United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities.

©2010 North Shore United Way