Facing Facts 2009

June 30, 2009

Facing Facts 2009, a community assessment of Lexington and Richland counties, was released at a breakfast sponsored by the United Way of the Midlands this morning. Community members and leaders defined issues, problems and need for services through interviews, discussion groups and surveys in the summer and fall 2008.

Analysis of responses from residents and community leaders identified four central issues, which are detailed in the Facing Facts 2009 assessment of health and human service needs: poverty and the struggle to meet basic needs, access to affordable health care, education that provides workforce skills and transportation.  

This survey continues the work of defining and prioritizing areas for attention begun with the first Facing Facts survey in 2004. Supported by this analysis, the community and its leaders, funders and service providers can work together to implement strategies that create real, ongoing and lasting change. Facing Facts 2009 offers a vision for a common agenda and collaborative efforts to help the neediest residents while creating a better community as a whole.

The survey and report is a collaborative effort between United Way of the Midlands, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, the Central Midlands Council of Governments and Richland and Lexington counties.

To view and download the full Facing Facts 2009 report, click here.

Pictured: Facing Facts Survey Partners participate in a panel discussion at the breakfast. (Joann Turnquist, Central Carolina Community Foundation; Norman Whitaker, Central Midlands Council on Governments; Ike McLeese, The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce; Tom Keith, Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina; and Mac Bennett, United Way of the Midlands)

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