Every community faces the emotional and financial consequences of families that lose their way in developing healthy relationships. Abused children suffer many more hurts than just the physical ones and require a great deal of resources to help right the situation. Troubled teenagers can cause much turmoil in their communities and schools and tax the county social service system that has to respond to them. Orion Family Services, with the support of the United Way of Green County, has made it its mission to offer such families assistance to find healthier ways to live and love together. A family with a young teenage girl that disrespects her parents, abuses alcohol and is failing in school - another family with two brothers both involved in stealing a car, abusing marijuana and prescription drugs and not attending school - these are the families that participate in Orion programs such as family therapy that is brought to the homes of families in need, one on one parent skill training and support, intensive supervision of teenagers under court supervision and independent living skills aide for older teenagers.

United Way's support for this work is critical now more than ever. We all see how the economy has affected government budgets. Green County Human Services which is the largest funder of services for children who are abused or teenagers who are in trouble at school or with the law is suffering State and Federal support like every other county. United Way has always been there to fill the gaps in funding and collaborate with agencies like Orion to bring the most comprehensive help to children and families in need. Thank you to those who have supported United Way in the past and I encourage everyone to give this year.