April 30, 2018 | Press Release
Lubbock Area United Way has released the 2018 Community Status Report. This report is compiled each year to track the correlations among demographics, education, economics, health, and safety in the community. The report is used to keep up-to-date on the issues facing the community and ensure funds are being directed to the most relevant needs. It has also become an authority for accurate data that nonprofits throughout the region rely upon when developing grant proposals.
“The Community Status Report is crucial to determining the needs in our community,” said Ashley Ammons, Lubbock Area United Way’s Community Impact Director. “The only way we can address these needs is by working together, as a community, and facing them head on. We are always stronger together.”
One issue highlighted in this year’s report is sex trafficking. Kim Stark, Executive Director of Voice of Hope reported their organization assisted 68 victims of sex trafficking in 2017. Nineteen of the victims were 17-years or younger. A University of Texas study reported approximately 79,000 minors and youth were victims of sex trafficking in Texas in 2016.
“While sex trafficking in Lubbock is a grave concern, Voice of Hope provides advocacy, hope, and healing to those affected by sexual assault and sex trafficking,” said Stark.
Child abuse and neglect is another issue highlighted in this year’s report. In 2017, there were 1,032 confirmed cases of child abuse with one resulting in death. While the child abuse rate has been coming down in recent years, Lubbock County is still almost double the state average.
“While there was a slight decrease in confirmed cases of child abuse, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the South Plains provided more forensic interviews regarding reports of abuse and neglect than the prior two years. We also know that many of these cases still go unreported,” said Derek Danner, Executive Director of the Center.
The Community Status Report is a collaborative effort between Lubbock Area United Way and the City of Lubbock, Covenant Health, Lubbock County, Lubbock ISD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and UMC Health System. The report and additional statistical date can be accessed online at www.liveunitedlubbock.org/community-status-report.
ABOUT LUBBOCK AREA UNITED WAY
Since 1946, Lubbock Area United Way has conducted annual fundraising campaigns to support local nonprofit agencies. During that time more than $175 million has been contributed and used to support United Way’s mission of Giving • People • Hope.
Lubbock Area United Way’s 23 Community Partners work daily in the Lubbock area to assist people with needs such as affordable child care, crisis situations, character development, adult literacy, job training, and youth mentoring. A complete list of the Community Partners and the services they provide can be found online at www.liveunitedlubbock.org/community-partner-agencies.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Ashley Lee
Director of Marketing & Communications
marketing@liveunitedlubbock.org
(806) 747-2711