United Way campaign struggles to attain goal

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Debra Fears

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Robert Hannon

United Way campaign struggles to attain goal

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — “Sojourner House taught me to love myself. It gave me me back,” said Debbie Fears of Youngstown.

Sojourner House, a domestic shelter for women and their children, is a program of the Burdman Group, a United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley agency.

It was in 2006 when Fears and her now ex-husband had the argument that ended their marriage. Though Fears was not physically abused, she was taken to Forum Health Northside Medical Center for examination.

She said someone there suggested she go to Sojourner House, which turned out to be the first step in getting her life back, she said.

Fears said she was emotionally and mentally abused.

“I had no bruises, but my pride and dignity were destroyed. I was devastated. I had no hope. I thought I would end up on the street,” she said.

Three years later, she has her own place and a car, and she is a member of the Sojourner House Advisory Board.

“What I want to share is how much of an asset Sojourner House is. I believe more women would get out of bad situations if they knew about it,” Fears said.

But between the time of utter hopelessness in 2006 and being able to talk about her situation in 2009 was not an easy three years, the Youngstown South High School graduate said.

“The Sojourner staff made me get up in the morning and get dressed. I had to plan my day, then my week and then my month,” she said.

“There were counseling and support groups. They got me motivated enough to get a job. They got my diabetes medicine for me. Once my needs were met, I felt like I could make it on my own. That experience changed my life. The No. 1 thing they taught me was to love myself,” Fears said.

She plays piano and organ at Antioch Baptist Church and plays in a little jazz-and-blues band. She was musical director for “Blues in the Night” this summer at the Youngstown Playhouse.

“It was so nice. That’s how much my life has turned around,” she said.

Sojourner House has about 16 residents on average, with a capacity of 26, said Joseph Caruso, Burdman executive director.

But, said Audrey Walker, house manager, the vast majority of women Sojourner House serves don’t come to the shelter.

“One of the main things we strive to do is give women tools to regain their self-esteem and let them know they have value,” Walker said.

Sojourner House is one of the 70 programs funded by United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. In 2009, Burdman received $82,000 for the program from United Way, said Robert P. Hannon, UW president and chief professional officer.

“We fund programs, not agencies,” said Hannon, who said that the local United Way campaign, as of Tuesday, had pledges and gifts totaling $1.7 million, with about three weeks left in this year’s effort, which ends Dec. 31.

The 2009 campaign goal is $2.5 million, compared with $2.9 million in 2008, $2.25 million of which was reached.

Despite the struggling economy, Hannon is optimistic this year’s goal is attainable.

“What I’ve been most gratified about is that our partners are still with us,” he said. “They may have had to cut back in some instances, but they are still giving. And, a few new ones have been brought on board.”

Hannon said there are still some major campaigns, such as at Hynes Industries and General Motors Lordstown Complex, that have not yet reported. Also, he said United Way should learn about its requests for funds from foundations, which traditionally allocate for the next year in mid-December.

Tara Mady, United Way marketing director, said the Leadership Club, consisting of donors who pledge $1,000 or more, has, at $430,000, already exceeded last year’s total of $413,000. The 2009 goal is $500,000.

Most of the Leadership Club gifts stayed at the same level as 2008 or increased. Also, there are a number of new members, Mady said.

United Way staff members are continuing to encourage businesses to run campaigns. It’s not too late, Hannon said.

Also, United Way has initiated a “Come Fly With Me” online giving promotion, in which all donors of $25 or more through midnight Dec. 31 are automatically entered in a drawing for two round-trip airline tickets from Pittsburgh to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The promotion is taking place in conjunction with the launch of the United Way’s new online giving Web site. To enter the contest, visit www.ymvunitedway.org and click “donate now.”

The airline tickets were donated by Myrtle Beach Direct Air. The promotion is limited to one entry per person, and the winner will be notified Jan. 5. Baggage is not included, and certain blackout dates apply. The voucher must be used by Oct. 31, Mady said.

“United Way is the place to be involved. Donors get a lot of bang for their bucks. We fund the right programs for people in the community who are the most vulnerable; and we hold the programs to high standards of performance,” Hannon said.

alcorn@vindy.com

SOJOURNER HOUSE | Services provided

Sojourner House, a program of the Burdman Group, provides protective services to adults and children who are victims of domestic violence. Primary services provided in fiscal year 2009 include:

The 24-hour crisis telephone, 1,000 calls.

Emergency protective shelter was provided to 79 women and 77 children, amounting to 1,944 bed days for women and 1,907 bed days for children.

Case-management services were provided to 77 domestic-violence victims.

Judicial advocacy assisted 195 women through the court system.

Domestic-violence education was provided to 55 women.

Children’s programming served 77 women and their children.

Community-support groups assisted 117 women.

Other primary services: transportation; community outreach; prevention, education and awareness; collaboration with other social agencies.

Source: Burdman Group, Sojourner House