DRUG ABUSE TOPS LIST OF ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

Drug abuse topped the list of issues to be addressed in the 2006 Assessment
of Community Needs survey as 38 percent of respondents termed it an
"extremely serious" or "very serious" problem in Grayson County.

Other issues of concern included a lack of good jobs, the lack of
affordable housing, family violence, a shortage of affordable medical care,
elderly care, alcohol abuse, insufficient after school centers/programs,
teen pregnancy and the number one issue in 2003 unemployment/under employment.

This 2006 assessment, currently being made available by the United Way of
Grayson County, shows significant changes in the perception of needs among
Grayson County residents since the 2003 survey.

Some of the needs that were identified in 2003 remained on the list in 2006
and may have moved up or down, yet they are still issues facing Grayson
County residents. Those include a lack of good jobs, unemployment/under
employment, drug abuse and the lack of affordable medical care. Also rated
high in the earlier survey were elder care, children-related problems and a
lack of programs for teens.

In 2003, United Way changed its focus from funding agencies to funding
programs to meet the needs and challenges facing the area.

The SWAT program at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Sherman and Denison is a good
example of an organization that took the 2003 survey to heart, developing
meaningful programs to meet a specific necessity.

SWAT provides GED classes, math skills, reading skills and computer basics
at the Boys & Girls Clubs to address the number one need in 2003 lack of
good jobs.

The program helps young people focus on the importance of being ready for
the working world and bolsters their efforts with real world skills.

United Way hopes to have more programs like SWAT, and working together with
its current Community Partners and with programs that may specialize in
addressing the new issues identified, the agency is bringing together the
resources needed to meet these needs head on.

Now that this year's needs have been identified, United Way of Grayson
County has begun its investment process by issuing a "Request for
Proposals" from local non-profits.

"We are pleased to announce that for the first time agencies will be able
to submit their proposal online," David Cortinas, President and CEO said.

"This is a huge cost savings to the agencies and the environment as they
had to submit as many as 17 copies of each proposal that can be up to 50
pages."

The online proposal process was made possible with a grant from Verizon.

This new process goes beyond just making the process more cost efficient.

Making the application available online and having local support to assist
with any technical issues is a real benefit for local agencies as more
grant opportunities are going to an online format.

Agencies wanting more information can apply online at www.ctkodm.com or by
logging on to www.unitedwaygrayson.org for funding for programs under the
three community impact areas: Strengthening Families, Successful Children
and Youth and Community Wellness.

Funding opportunities are open to 501c3 organizations or collaborations
between non-profit groups. Successful programs will demonstrate ability to
best meet stated goals by achieving measurable outcomes within a plan of
action.

Those seeking funds must deliver services in Grayson County and funding is
for a two year period.

Volunteers in each of the three community impact teams and on United Way's
Oversight Committee will review completed applications and make funding
recommendations to the Board of Directors.

"People think that raising money is the hard part," Cortinas said. "I think
if you ask any volunteer that has served on the investment team the answer
will be different. These volunteers are faced with some very difficult
decisions as they requests for support are always more than the funds
available."

Anyone interested in volunteering or obtaining a copy of the 2006 needs
assessment can visit the United Way Website at www.unitedwaygrayson.org.