Where can you go when the paycheck does not cover your expenses until the next paycheck? Where can you go for guidance when your mortgage payments become delinquent? Where can you go when loans are weighing you down, high interest rates are taking you further back and stress levels are mounting? Where can you go for financial counseling, education and answers? Call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service! They review your financial situation, assist you in making a budget, consolidate loans, counsel future financial pitfalls, and offer options for those buried under their financial responsibilities. Consumer Credit Counselors in some cases can prevent families from eviction or foreclosure. They can also counsel people who plan to file for bankruptcy, help some people avoid bankruptcy and help others regain a more solid financial footing after discharging their debts through bankruptcy.

Where can you go to experience the uninhibited thrill of competition, the true meaning of teamwork and moving toward the goal with all the determination that is possible? A Special Olympics Event! With every sporting event, there is encouragement, smiles of achievement and sincere effort to do the very best that is possible. Volunteers that coach, cheer, prepare and fix equipment, tie shoes, keep score and do whatever else is needed rave about the exhilarating experiences. Be it a track meet, a softball game, a bowling tournament, a basketball game or a celebration, happiness abounds. It does not matter how well you play, it matters that you play!

Where can you go for social and recreational interaction when you are challenged with developmental disabilities? H.A.P.Y. is the organization to contact. Helping developmentally disabled Adults Participate in Yankton is dedicated to promoting socialization, improving community integration and facilitating self-actualization for people with developmental disabilities. Volunteers partner with the clients at the organized events as well as community gatherings. HAPY also seeks opportunities to provide community education on how to interact with individuals with developmental disabilities. They encourage these individuals to be themselves and through interaction build self-esteem and self-confidence in social situations. Picnics, night at the movies, bowling, fishing, Halloween dance and delivering holiday presents are just a few of the well attended opportunities arranged by caring volunteers.

Where can you go when counseling is needed to address fragile family relationships or anger management? Family Education and Counseling Services may be your answer. When meeting with various community agencies, the "top of the list" concern mentioned was the additional need of counseling for children and families. The issues raised were that the families were strapped for money, their children were out of control, it took too long to get involved with other community programs or they needed anger management counseling. Family Education and Counseling Services countered a proposal to provide experience for counseling interns with a licensed counselor as supervisor. With providing on the job training experience and a stipend to assist with travel experiences, clients are offered an affordable sliding scale rate to receive much needed counseling.

These four agencies supported by United Way & Volunteer Services offer assistance addressing specific needs. When the lives of families, individuals, friends, co-workers, etc. are facing obstacles that are often overwhelming, these local resources may be the answer. Call 665-6766 - United Way & Volunteer Services - for resource information about the twenty supported agencies as well as other organizations/resources that this community has to offer our citizens of all ages.

Click on the images below to learn more about each of our agencies and how you can help your local United Way.