Interagency gives aid to United Way

Amidst trying times and “confusion and disagreements” creating a rift in the Lake Havasu United Way, one local organization has stepped up.

The Interagency Council is set to open its doors in a new office in Bullhead City in August to provide direct services after River Cities United Way members asked the organization for assistance during the United Way’s recent merger.

River Cities United Way members in Lake Havasu City, Laughlin, Bullhead and Kingman formed an ad-hoc bylaws committee June 24 to review the organization’s “governance and management” as well as the organization’s bylaws, said River Cities United Way Board Chairwoman Tamara Wooster. The six-member committee, made up of representatives from each city, is expected to report back with a unanimous decision on the organization’s laws in the next two months. Interagency Council staff is providing services to ensure residents in neighboring cities continue to receive assistance.

“When this whole thing blew up, we offered our services to continue that help that the people there need,” said Interagency Council President Rich Miers. “They called us and I said, ‘Absolutely we’ll do it.’ We don’t know how many people need the help just yet but we’re offering our services to anyone who needs it. We’re trying to make sure they’re being served no matter what.”

Lisa Fuhrman, marketing chairwoman on the board of directors for the River Cities United Way, said the organization wanted to be certain that services continued to the residents in Laughlin, Bullhead, Kingman and Parker.

“As stewards of this agency, we’re trying to make sure the people who need our services continue to get them. And there are more and more every day,” she said in June. “That’s why we did partner with Interagency to do direct services because there’s people that need electric assistance, rent assistance and food assistance in those communities. So Interagency is helping us help them.”

Wooster said in the “confusion of the merger,” she didn’t want residents to think all services would stop.

“We certainly don’t want those people to hear that those services aren’t available and that they can’t still get the help they need,” Wooster said in June. “This is within (the Interagency Council’s) capabilities. They do direct service assistance in all of the communities and they’re assured us they’re very capable of helping out those communities.”

Interagency Council provided assistance prior to the merger, but Miers said the United Way recently allocated an additional estimated $2,500, which has gone to servicing about 17 families in need of financial assistance for utilities.

“We’re seeing a number of people right now but we’re not just helping former casino employees or a specific group,” he said. “Anyone who calls us and qualifies for assistance will receive it. It depends on our funding sources what we’re able to do but we won’t know who needs the help until they call.”

Those looking for assistance or more information on the Interagency Council’s services and new location are asked to call 888-453-5802.

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com