Partner Programs

ACHIEVEMENT CENTER EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM, INC

(715) 342‑0393

The Achievement Center serves Portage County children ages birth to three who are experiencing developmental delay or disability in communication, cognition, social/emotional or motor development. Screenings and evaluations of developmental skills are provided free of charge. Services are provided in the child's natural environment and can include: physical, occupational and speech therapies, educational services, service coordination, and parent support.

ADVOCATES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED Community Partners                               

(715) 341‑3009

Portage County Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled (ADD) provides information and support to disabled persons and promotes increased awareness of the needs of the disabled. Through its Community Partners Program, it initiates and supports one-to-one relationships between disabled adults and community volunteers.

AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER OF PORTAGE  CO.

(715) 346‑1401

Adult Day Center

The Aging & Disability Resource Center Adult Day Center provides supervised activities and programming for isolated, medically frail, cognitively impaired or physically disabled older adults. The program offers an enjoyable, social and therapeutic environment for up to 40 participants daily, while providing respite and support for caregivers.

Holly Shoppe

Located at the Lincoln Center, the Holly Shoppe is a retail outlet open to the public. All handicrafts are made by Portage County residents age 55 and over. The Holly Shoppe provides older adults the opportunity to supplement their incomes from sales of handiwork created at home. 

Rural Delivered Meals

The Aging & Disability Resource Center Nutrition Program delivers meals to homebound older adults in Portage County. This service is coordinated with congregate noon meal sites at seven county locations. 

AMERICAN RED CROSS - NORTH CENTRAL WI CHAPTER

(715) 344‑4052

Blood Services

American Red Cross (ARC) Blood Services conducts 65 days of blood drives each year. ARC is mandated to ensure adequate and stable blood supply, and nationally it provides 50% of the blood supply. It helps publicize the need for blood donations and for increasing numbers of donors.

Emergency Services

American Red Cross Emergency Services assists area residents to prevent and prepare for emergencies through educational presentations and disaster related classes. It provides short term immediate response to area disaster victims with food, clothing and shelter. Through a worldwide communication network, it can transmit emergency messages between family members and armed services members as well as between family members in times of disaster.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

(715) 341‑0661

Big Brothers/Big Sisters helps children reach their potential by fostering professionally supported one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.

Community Based Match Program

Community-based mentoring matches volunteers (ages 16 and up) with children ages 6 to 17 years in one-to-one mentoring relationships. Volunteers are enrolled by trained professional staff to determine the best child for the "match". Matches may be with the same gender, opposite gender, or shared with another volunteer. After the match is introduced and approved by the parent, they meet regularly on a schedule of their convenience, and receive ongoing support from an agency Match Specialist who works to assure child safety, healthy relationship development, volunteer satisfaction and positive youth outcomes.

School Based Mentoring

School based mentoring is an option in which a volunteer mentor meets with a child at the same time each week at a school or other designated site. They may meet before, during, or after school and may have a combined academic and recreational focus. Matches may spend their time on a variety of activities such as homework, reading, board games, sports, or art activities. Professional staff monitor and support matches to assure safety, satisfaction, consistency with educational objectives, and positive child outcomes. The match may also continue over the summer months if Big Brothers Big Sisters staff approves.  

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of PORTAGE COUNTY, INC. 

(715)341-4386

Boys & Girls Club offers clubhouses in Stevens Point, Junction City, and Plover offering programming for children generally between upper elementary through early high school age, with some variation among club sites.  Programming provides youth development and guidance in five core areas: character and leadership development; arts; sports, fitness and recreation; health and life skills; and education and career development; delivered in a safe and friendly location staffed by caring adult professionals. The clubs are open after school and during the summer, a $10 annual membership fee is charged. In addition, the Boys and Girls Club provides a Peer Court and Gateway Report Center Program to address delinquency in youth.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ‑ SAMOSET COUNCIL

(715) 355-1450                                                  

Boy Scouts provide Portage County youth with three comprehensive youth development programs in order to develop character, citizenship, and mental and physical fitness:  1) In Cub Scouting, boys ages 6 to 10 take part in a home and family oriented program.  2) In Boy Scouting, boys ages 11 to 18 take part in vigorous outdoor activities.  3) In Venturing, young women and men ages 14 to 20 develop self-confidence and skills for serving others.

CAP SERVICES, INC. (CAP)                                                                                                                                         

(715) 343-7500 

Family Crisis Center

The Family Crisis Center operates 24‑hour crisis counseling and shelter to victims of domestic violence.  The Center also offers support groups to help families identify long‑term strategies to eliminate the violence and its causes.  The Center also provides short term crisis intervention and a shelter for runaway youth and youth in crisis.

Ministry Dental Center

Ministry Dental Center, located at 3504 Maria Dr. in Stevens Point, is a dental clinic designed to serve patients with Badgercare or Medicaid health coverage. Because reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Badgercare are substantially lower than prevailing fees charged by dentists, low income persons often have great difficulty accessing dental care. This results in a high proportion of severe oral health problems in this population. This clinic has two FTE dentists and 2 dental hygienists. The Center provides services to Medicaid and Badgercare recipients who reside in Portage, Wood, Southern Marathon and western Waupaca counties. The Center currently has a one year waiting list for appointments. The clinic is operated by Ministry Health Care, and is a cooperative partnership of Ministry Health Care, CAP Services, Inc. and Delta Dental of Wisconsin.

Hmong Project

The Refugee Project works to identify ongoing needs of the Hmong community educate the community about Hmong history and culture, educate Hmong residents about American culture and values to assist in their integration into the community. Other services include assistance with obtaining citizenship, and family development services to assist families in achieving self-sufficiency goals. The Project also provides programming to strengthen Hmong families through education, prevention training, and intervention services aimed at reducing domestic violence.

Skills Enhancement Program

This project is designed to provide part-time educational and skills training opportunities for individuals working in low-wage jobs.  The goal of the program is wage and career advancement above the poverty level. Financial assistance is available for tuition, books, child care and transportation.

CHILDREN'S SERVICE SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN

(715) 341‑6672                                                                                                    

Children's Service Society of Wisconsin's Child and Family Counseling Program provides counseling services to all residents of Portage County on a sliding fee basis. Individual and family counseling is available for help with academic or behavioral school problems, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, problems due to divorce or separation, parent-child conflicts, and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Services available in Hmong. Medical Assistance is accepted.

COMMUNITY INDUSTRIES

(715) 344‑4563

Community Industries Corporation offers services to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in community life as valued workers, neighbors and family members.

Respite

The Respite Program provides coordination of the process to recruit, screen and train respite care providers for families of developmentally disabled household members. Respite care provides care and companionship within the home to provide relief to family members providing regular care. The program is flexible to meet the needs of individual families.

Supported Employment

Supported Employment Program helps Portage County residents with a disability to find and secure jobs in integrated work environments that may allow opportunity for advancement, better wages and benefits.  Participants work with job coaches to determine work interests, identify job supports needed, explore job options and even try out certain jobs.  Families or caregivers may give information to help set job goals. A job search is initiated, and when a participant is hired in a local business, assistance is provided to employee and employer to make the job a success.

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN

(715) 341‑5811

Education & Awareness

Epilepsy education and awareness provides both public and professional education to aid recognition of different types of seizures, appropriate seizure first aid, epilepsy treatment options, and promotion of greater understanding and acceptance of persons with this condition. Educational opportunities include K-12 classroom programs, and annual Conference on Advances in Epilepsy Treatment, an online newsletter, and a comprehensive lending library of print and audio/visual materials.

Direct Client Services

Direct client services promote health, independence and opportunity for children and adults with seizure disorders to improve self sufficiency and quality of life. Case management, support groups, and information and referral are some of the ways Direct Client Services achieves its aims.                                                      

FAMILY CONNECTIONS IN PORTAGE COUNTY, INC. 

(715) 344‑5759 

The Family Resource Center (FRC) is a family focused organization that builds on family strengths to promote stable and healthy families. The FRC offers weekly playgroups, single-session workshops & multi-session parenting classes, family fun events, a warmline & a lending library of books, tapes, games, videos & equipment.  All the programs are free of charge with child care if needed. Centers are located in Stevens Point, Junction City, Amherst and Almond/Bancroft.

GIRL SCOUTS of the NORTHWESTERN GREAT LAKES

1‑800‑472‑0073

Girl Scouting systematically prepares girls to become leaders of their own lives, and in our communities, through research and learning theory-based programs designed specifically for girls.  Includes Daisy Girl Scouts (age 5), Brownies (ages 6-8), Juniors (ages 9-11), Cadettes (ages 12-14), and Seniors (ages 15-17).  Programs give girls opportunities to improve their physical and emotional/mental well-being, while acquiring valuable knowledge and life skills in careers, science & technology, the arts, sports & recreation, the outdoors, and more.

INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS OF PORTAGE COUNTY

(715) 342-4084

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) is a faith-supported organization whose volunteers put their faith into action by offering a variety of services to all Portage County residents who have a need and have no other support system available.  Services include transportation, grocery shopping/errands, friendly visiting and companionship, letter writing, snow shoveling, reading, newspaper on tape, respite and a senior home safety repair program. In addition, IVC volunteers perform minor repairs in seniors' homes for Portage County residents over the age of 62. 

MEALS ON WHEELS

(715) 341‑0081

Meals on Wheels provides home‑delivered meals to the homebound frail, chronically ill, convalescent elderly, or disabled persons in the Stevens Point area. Monday through Friday, volunteers deliver hot noon meals which are prepared at area health care institutions. Special diets are available with a physician's order. Other services provided by the staff include nutrition education, assessment visits, and referrals to other agencies as needed.

PORTAGE COUNTY CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

(715) 341‑7328

The Child Passenger Safety Association (PCCPSA) ensures the right of every child to protection from injury or death while being transported in a motor vehicle.  PCCPSA provides education programs on car seat and seat belt safety.  In addition to the car seat rental program, the association offers special needs car seats for children with temporary or permanent disabilities, and information about bicycle helmets and other child safety issues.

PORTAGE COUNTY LITERACY COUNCIL

(715) 345‑5341

The Literacy Council offers free, confidential one‑to‑one tutoring to adults who need help with reading, writing, and basic math skills, and/or English as a second language.  Tutors are volunteers between the ages of 16 and 80. Tutor training, teaching materials and monitoring/supervision are provided Tutor/learner matches take into account: tutor skills, learner needs and scheduling conflicts. Tutors and learners meet about 2 hours per week in public places at mutually agreed upon times. Twelve to fourteen week blocks of beginning and intermediate English language classes with childcare are also offered in the spring and fall ( check for times and locations).  Summer programs are available depending on funding. The Literacy Council cooperates with Midstate Technical College, Portage County Library, WI Job Center, and many other agencies.

SALVATION ARMY- HOPE CENTER

(715) 341‑2437

The Salvation Army is a national religious and charitable organization whose primary focus of services is to aid low income people. In Portage County, the Salvation Army Hope Center assists needy families and individuals with shelter, food, clothing and other emergency needs.

VOLUNTEER CENTER OF PORTAGE COUNTY

(715) 341-6740

The Volunteer Center of Portage County acts as a central referral source, recruiting and screening volunteers for placement in agencies throughout the county. In addition to matching volunteers with organizations and individuals in need, the Volunteer Center coordinates annual projects such as Make A Difference Day and Project Fresh Start. The Center also works with local businesses, schools and community organizations to promote the value of giving through service. 

STEVENS POINT AREA YMCA

(715) 342-2980

The purpose of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all people. United Way funds four specific YMCA programs:

Scholarship Assistance

This program allows at-risk youth and adults from low income households to join the YMCA on a sliding scale fee basis.  This program supports families in hardship situations. No one is turned away from the YMCA due to inability to pay the fees.

Adaptive Recreation                                                    

The YMCA offers special programs to people with varying disabilities, including Special Olympics sports, swimming lessons, exercise programs, and more.  An inclusion philosophy is utilized whenever possible.

Youth & Teen Program                                                           

A variety of programs for teens are offered.  Teens can participate without being a YMCA member.  The popular Teen Night program is open to teens every Saturday night throughout the school year at the YMCA facility from 7 pm to 10:30 p.m.  Teen Leaders Club, Youth In Government, Teen Adventure Club, Girls Night Out are other programs offered. The Family Prime Time Center and Teen Center also offer youth and teens a safe and fun socialization area. YMCA Teen Programs focus on providing participants with a safe environment, positive adult role models and encourage character development and leadership skills.

Child Care Youth Scholarship Program                      

Scholarship funds are awarded on a sliding scale fee basis to low income and at risk families participating in before and after school child care, preschool programs, and summer camp programs so they benefit from quality, affordable and accessible child care.

For more information, please call United Way of Portage County at (715) 341-6740, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.