Report from Charity Tracker database

This information is just a snapshot of what has been going on the first 15 days in October.
It is a sad fact that there have already been so many needs in the beginning of a month.
What is more sad is that this information reflects only 20 assistance/service providers.
Think about how many more providers there are in Pontotoc County and how many more needs have been met beyond these on record.
(On a side note:  If you or someone you know provides assistance non-profit and/or faith-based and would like to be included in the Charity Tracker database partnership, please contact Latricia Bryant.  Latricia.Bryant@adaunitedway.org or 580.332.2313 x223  Only providers may be given access.  This database is not open to the public.  However, any reports that would assist the general public in any manner can be created upon request.)


October 1, 2011 - October 15, 2011

Report Summary
Total Assistance:(value; not direct $s)  $4,624.10
Assistance Records:                            85
Children (0 - 17) Assisted:                   2
Adults (18 - 59) Assisted:                    56
Seniors (60+) Assisted:                        4
Total Cases Assisted:                       62
Children (0 - 17) in Assisted Households: 57
Adults (18 - 59) in Assisted Households:  80
Seniors (60+) in Assisted Households:      6
Total Households Assisted:        62 households
total of 143 members

AACES has change of name....

Our agency dealing directly with homeless/near homeless situations has recently had a name change.
AACES will now be known as Ada Homeless Services.
The name change reflects a better statement of their mission.  Ada Homeless Services serves a very important part in meeting the needs of the homeless and near homeless in Pontotoc County.
The prior name implied that this agency provided help in all emergency situations.
So from now on.....when you hear Ada Homeless Services - it is what was previously called AACES.
There will be no acronym as it could be confused with local high schools.  That would be even more confusing.
Please know that no changes in mission or services occur with the name change.
Thanks for taking time to get informed about a simple name change by a very important service provider in Pontotoc County!

Now you have seen all our funded agencies....

Over the past couple of weeks, you have been provided a simple overview of our funded agencies; those receiving direct allocations from local donations.
While not one if more "deserving" than the other, they all play an important part of our community.

The 5 youth organizations work towards investing in the future success of our children by providing a safe environment and educational activities.  4 work towards beginning at a young age, instilling community service and self esteem, 1 deals with issue that arise when the environment in which the youth lives does not instill either. The majority of these agencies (the first 4) truly need devoted individuals to volunteer to assist them with their mission towards youth empowerment and the increasing potential for building a better future for all of us.

7 agencies responding to crisis and achieving stability provide referrals and assistance to community members in need of immediate assistance with potential crisis situations.  By working together, they can attempt (I state attempt, as there would be no way to meet the current needs with current funding) to provide people with the basic necessities in a disaster or other times of temporary need, they promote financial stability and independence and encourage and facilitate a return to self-sufficiency. This particular group of ARUW funded agencies has the most difficult of the 14 as they are dealing directly with those in specific immediate need.  It would be wonderful if in the future none of these agencies would need to be in existence, but in reality, most of these agencies will in fact find the need grow in staff and services.  The sad fact is, while these agencies are becoming more in need by our community, resources to fund and sustain these agencies are dwindling.

2 agencies supported by ARUW allocated funds are dealing with aging needs and animal welfare.  One has a daily impact on those in our society with really no where to go; if not for this agency, our nursing homes would be increased by 12 of our communities loved ones.  The other is seen by animal lovers as necessary to our community of four legged friends; and is also seen by the "non-lover" of animals as an excellent way to keep the population low and off the streets.

I personally hope that you have gleaned some new information from the past few weeks of postings.  If you would like more specific information, please let me know as I would assume that your question would be helpful to others.

Thank you for learning more about or "allocated" agencies.  In the next few posts, I will begin explaining how ARUW partners with others in the community without directly allocating funds, but with just as big as impact.

PAWS (Pontotoc County Animal Welfare Society

The mission statement is -
To improve quality of life in the Ada area by promoting the humane care and treatment of animals. To serve as a model for other shelters. To decrease the number of unwanted animals by promoting spay/neutering.

PAWS was incorporated in 1982 by a small group of concerned citizens who began cleaning pens at the makeshift structure that served as the city pound. These volunteers began trying to find homes for some of the animals and recruiting others to help. Soon an agreement was entered into with the City of Ada to serve as the dog pound in return for some funds to operate a private shelter where animals would have better chance of being adopted. In about 1990 several generous donations from individuals were received and the volunteers began to raise enough funds for a new building. The dream was realized in spring of 1996 when PAWS moved into the current location at 1200 Sandy Creek Drive. The next long term goal is to enclose all of the pens so that each animal has an indoor area and an outdoor run. Dreams do come true!

It is estimated that 2,135 animals will be directly assisted in take in to PAWS. Of these 375 will be adopted and 164 will be assisted with low cost spay/neuter. Owners of these pets receiving the low cost spay/neuter are 100%.  Most would not be spay/neutering if not assisted by PAWS - resulting in many more animals scurrying around Pontotoc County.

The Prison dog training program in which PAWS sends dogs to Davis Correctional Center in Holdenville is having a very positive impact both on our dogs and on the inmates who work with them. For some of the men, it is their first chance to feel that they can make a difference and to receive some unconditional love.

PAWS is the only public/private animal shelter within a 30-40 mile radius of Ada.

This agency accepts volunteers for a variety of opportunities.  Please contact PAWS is you would like to volunteer or visit www.adaunitedway.org and click the volunteer tab at the top of the home page and I'll find out exactly what PAWS needs volunteers for at this time.



ARUW allocation is designated to be used in Pontotoc County for spay/neuter and veterinary expenses for the animals.

Ada Senior Care Center

Mission Statement -
To provide a safe, caring and reliable community-centered day service in a congregate setting for adults who would benefit from health care, varied and meaningful programs and opportunities for socialization to enhance their quality of life and provide support for families and other caregivers.

This agency began when a DHS start up grant was secured.  The center was incorporated in 1988 as a community service agency to give week day respite to families caring for elderly and impaired loved ones at home. Ada Senior Care Center is especially for families trying to avoid or delay nursing home placement of their loved one. In 1991 the center moved to its present location in the former fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church to keep overhead costs down and quality care up.

The approximate percentage of Ada Senior Care Center clients are 25% between the age of 21 - 59 and 75% over 60 years of age.  Approximately 10 are disabled and 80% are considered low income.

Ada Senior Care Center does accept volunteers; however, this agency's needs are very specific and the potential volunteer would need to learn more about the agency and it's needs prior to volunteering. 

This agency has been referred to as the "best kept secret in Pontotoc County".  Why?  Simple answer is that until your family is in need of these very specific services, chances are you have never heard of this agency.  Question?  If you could keep your loved one out of a nursing home, would you?  Most would answer yes, but would you have any idea of Ada Senior Care had you not read this post?

This is one agency that could certainly be considered the most expensive use of ARUW funds, but this one agency is the only agency providing these services to a very specific target group in our community.  There may be a time in the future that this agency no longer exists.  The ARUW allocation is 13% of this agencies funding as state funds have been reduced considerably in the past few years.  Consider that when wondering if you should donate to ARUW this year.

Legal Aid Services

The mission statement of Leagl Aid is quite simple:
To be a partner in the community to make equal justice for all a reality.

Brief history -
Legal Aid Services began in 1979.  In January 2002 Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma and Legal Aid Services of Eastern Oklahoma merged to become Legal aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. providing services throughout Oklahoma. 

 100% of their clients are considered low income.
The local program provides free civil legal assistance to low income and elderly Oklahomans.  Outcome is to ensure child safety; stop violence in the home; obtain paternity orders and birth certificates for children; avoid money judgement and avoid evictions/homelessness.

01.01.10 to 12.31.10 Legal Aid provided
240 clients Direct services

• 15   age 0-20
• 186 age 21 -59
• 39   age 60+

319 individuals were provided Indirect/Referral assistance
Clients are provided with an increased knowledge with respect to their specific issue. 
All clients who were provided documents obtained the opportunity to pursue resolution of their specific issue.
All fully represented clients obtained access to the justice system.

Family Crisis Center

The mission of the Family Crisis Center -
is to oppose the use of violence and support equality in relationships. This organization endeavors to break the generational cycle of violence. The programs of Family Crisis Center seek to assist women in acquiring information and the skills necessary to examine the violence in their families and to explore alternatives.

How the Family Crisis Center came to be.....

• In April of 1980, a group of people from the community of Ada met to ascertain the need for services for battered women in the Ada area. The group included professionals, as well as people from the general community. The consensus was that services for battered women did need to be established.
• June, 1980 saw the 1st meeting of the Board of Directors for Ada Services for Battered Women.
• In July of 1980, Board officers were elected and decision was made to establish a 24-hour hotline crisis hotline to serve Southeast Oklahoma.
• October of 1980 the Ada Services for Battered Women became officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Official name: Southeastern Oklahoma Services for Victims of Domestic Violence.
• November 1980, the first Crisis Line 25 volunteers were trained. 
• February, 1981 the Crisis line services officially operating, funded solely through community donations.
• July of 1981, Department of Mental Health funding for program approved.
• June 1982 - The Shelter opened its doors for services to battered women and their children; full staff coverage for 24-hour facility provided.
• June 1991 Officially changed name to Family Crisis Center. Since that time FCC added programs offering non-resident counseling, batterer intervention program, outpatient substance abuse counseling, anger management and parenting programs.

Anticipated numbers to be served this year are direct 150 and indirect 125.
Current programming is to provide emergency shelter to women and their dependent children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking while providing domestic violence education, support, and counseling services to shelter clients.

Family Crisis Center is the only agency/organization providing emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking outside of the Chickasaw Nation (which serves Native Americans only) in the Ada area.
Personally, I will be ecstatic when this agency is completely obsolete.