Agencies in this service area also help families and individuals to deal with the stresses of everyday living with programs that address a wide range of needs such as child care and family life education, as well as counselling on issues like alcohol and drug abuse or family violence, and parents in crisis hot lines. Crisis and Emergency Services Distress lines provide a caring voice at the other end of the telephone. Shelters provide a haven during a major family crisis. On a daily basis, these agencies deal with issues such as suicide prevention, date rape, and child, spousal and elder abuse. Multicultural Services United Way encourages all its agencies to develop accessible services which reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
Some referral services are specific, such as victim assistance or alcohol and drug lines.
Others provide information on a wide range of community services. Volunteerinvolvement provides the foundation of all our agencies. Some agencies specialize in recruitment and training of volunteers, while others in this service area also identify new needs and concerns, and promote community action to address these issues. Care for Seniors Many United Way agencies providing services to families have special programs for seniors. A number of agencies serve seniors exclusively.