United Way 30-Day Report Details Nationwide Response To Tragedy

United Way of America
Thursday, 11 October 2001

October 11, 2001 – Alexandria, VA -- United Way of America today released a report outlining what local United Ways across the country have been doing to mobilize their resources to respond to the recent national crisis. The reports indicates how communities across the country have instituted programs to combat the "ripple effect" of the September 11th attacks.

While the highly visible September 11th Fund, a crisis response effort established by the United Way of New York City and The New York Community Trust, is currently allocating the money raised through direct aid agencies, many smaller, yet vital programs have been launched in communities countrywide.

"In the wake of the tragedy, local United Way donor contributions are being put to use helping children cope with the loss, readying families facing military deployment, and assisting families affected by layoffs and the economic impact," said Ellie Ferdon, Board Chair for United Way of America. "This work, coupled with the ongoing work of building stronger communities, neighborhoods, families, and individuals year-round, is at the heart of the United Way mission."

In a recent poll, 80 percent of Americans surveyed indicated that the need for continued support for local charities has become even greater following the tragedy. The "United Way In Service to the Nation" report sites specific examples of local United Ways offering grief-counseling support, programs on tolerance and efforts to help children trying to cope with last month's events. Some of the programs currently underway include:

- In Bergen County, New Jersey the United Way activated a 24-hour response line for individuals and families who need help.

- United Way in Detroit, Michigan convened a meeting with more than 100 children from United Way supported agencies and players from the Detroit Lions along with counselors to discuss the tragic events of September 11th.

- The United Way of Las Vegas, Nevada gathered business, labor, nonprofit agencies and the government to respond to the more than 20,000 hotel and restaurant workers laid off in the economic slowdown following the attacks.

"As Columbine and Oklahoma City taught us, there is no quick fix when dealing with an event of this magnitude. Thankfully, the previous work of United Way allowed us to respond immediately when this crisis occurred. As always, it is our job to join with the communities and work alongside community leaders to ensure people are getting the attention and support they need over the long term," said Chris Amundsen, interim president and CEO of United Way of America.

"Communities across the country are realizing how the ripple effect of these horrible events have directly affected them, and, while dealing with their own grief, have partnered with their local United Way members to provide support to their families, friends and neighbors," continued Ferdon.

In towns large and small, United Ways have been leading the cause of caring for more than 100 years. The United Way system includes 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers.

United Way of America is the national service and training center for the United Way system. Its role is to equip member United Ways – as well as their corporate and philanthropic partners – with the tools that they need to make a measurable impact in the communities they serve.

For more information, or to contact United Way of America, see their website at: www.unitedway.org