Princeton - Weekly Bulletin 11/22/04

Contents

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Deadlines. In general, the copy deadline for each issue is the Friday 10 days in advance of the Monday cover date. The deadline for the Bulletin that covers Dec. 6-Jan. 9 is Wednesday, Nov. 24. A complete publication schedule is available at <deadlines> or by calling (609) 258-3601.

Editor: Ruth Stevens
Calendar editor: Carolyn Geller
Staff writers: Jennifer Greenstein Altmann, Steven Schultz
Contributing writers: Patricia Allen, Karin Dienst, Eric Quiñones
Photographer: Denise Applewhite
Design: Margaret Westergaard, Laurel Masten Cantor, Mahlon Lovett
Web edition: Mahlon Lovett

Princeton NJ -- The University's annual campaign in support of the United Way of Greater Mercer County runs through Dec. 8.

All donations will be distributed to United Way programs in Mercer County or employees' home communities or to other health and human services agencies that are designated by individual donors. United Way funding is based on three focus areas -- promoting health and well-being, responding to crises, and strengthening individuals and families.

According to the chapter's Web site: ''We don't measure results by how much money we raise or distribute. We look at our overall impact in the specific areas that we've targeted and the lives and neighborhoods we've improved.'' Here are some examples:

• Every month, more than 16,000 people are able to maintain their nutritional needs through food they receive at 60 food pantries throughout our area.

• Last year, 222 women were provided shelter from domestic violence, which enabled them to begin to put their families' lives back together.

• With assistance from the home visitor and meal distribution programs, more than 100 seniors were able to remain independent and safe in their own homes.

• Of the 70 troubled and emotionally disabled children enrolled in a specially designed after-school program, all experienced reduced psychiatric depression and demonstrated less anti-social behavior. They had fewer suspensions from school and required less contact with the criminal justice system. With an average of three years in the program, each child is given the opportunity for positive self-expression and social development.

• The transition from welfare to full-time gainful employment and stable housing is difficult. To overcome problems faced by single female-headed families, the United Way -- working with the Mercer County Board of Social Services and the faith community -- created a unique and effective program more than three years ago. Last year, 150 clients were moved into stable housing; 100 gained full-time employment; and 300 received the life-skills training necessary for self-sufficiency.

For more information on the campaign, visit the United Way home page <www.princeton.edu/pr/uw> or contact the main campus coordinator, Pamela Johnson, at 258-2430 or <pamelaj@princeton.edu>. Plasma physics employees should contact the lab's United Way campaign chair, Rosemarie Fuchs-Smith, at 243-2416 or <rfuchs@pppl.gov>.