In 2005, the staff and faculty of USC gave more than $165,000 to United Way of the Midlands, an increase of 55 percent over the previous year's campaign. The 2006 USC United Way campaign will begin March 1.

Gifts to the 2005 campaign are helping to make a difference in the Midlands. Through donations given to the Community Impact Fund (the general fund of United Way), two new programs were funded for mental health. LRADAC and Fairfield Behavioral Health Services both received $100,000 to provide care for people with drug dependencies and mental health issues. One of the barriers preventing individuals with mental illness and dependencies from receiving integrated care is the lack of a single point of responsibility for treatment and care. The grants to these two organizations will help make integrated care available in the Midlands.

Also, United Way of the Midlands supported programs focused on school truancy, access to emergency food, homelessness, and quality childcare.

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