More than Half of Capital Region Residents Feel Overall Quality of Life Has Gotten Worse, but Most Appear Willing to Help Create Positive Change

Dr. Don Levy, Director of the Siena Research Institute with Katherine Pelham, CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region at a press conference announcing the findings of a poll of local residents' perceptions of social needs.

Albany, NY – Fifty-one percent of Capital Region residents think the overall quality of life has gotten worse for most people in the area over the last year, according to a survey released December 9 by the Siena (College) Research Institute.

Conducted in partnership with United Way of the Greater Capital Region, the survey also found that while 54 percent say it is very important that they and their household contribute to addressing the needs of people in the area, only 17 percent are completely satisfied with their personal contribution.

"When you put these three findings together, I think that there is a call to service and a recognition that we face large, challenging problems," said Dr. Don Levy, Director of the Siena Research Institute. The survey of social needs was conducted November 12-19 by random telephone calls to 1,007 residents of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie counties over age 18.

"Not only did a majority of area residents tell us that times have gotten tougher for most people, but they overwhelmingly agreed that social needs are getting greater and greater, and that everyone must do as much as they can or our community will deteriorate," Levy reported at a press conference held at Family and Children's Service of the Capital Region, which houses the United Way Northeast Region 2-1-1 Call Center.

Katherine Pelham, CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, said the survey shows that people are willing to face the facts of need and pitch in to make a difference.

"Overall, this survey is filled with opportunity," Pelham said. "No one is pulling blinders over their eyes when it comes to problems we face, nor are residents turning away from neighbors struggling to make ends meet. Our job at United Way is to bring people and resources together so individuals and families increase their capacity to overcome barriers and create the life they choose. The survey shows that more than half of us want to be more for each other and our region. To me, this is uplifting news."

United Way of the Greater Capital Region Board member Brian Barr asks a question during the press conference.

The poll also found that people in the Capital Region think there ought to be more programs to help people with financial, emotional and everyday issues. "More than any other intervention," Dr. Levy reported, "two out of every three we spoke with said we need to do more to help people find work. Help with food and shelter comes next. But, in addition, over 40 percent call for more programs to assist families with those pressure-cooker issues that accompany a recession like anger management, domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse and family counseling."

A further finding was that 25 percent of area residents have heard of the United Way 2-1-1 help line. Awareness of 2-1-1-, the telephone information and referral service for callers seeking help with non-emergency needs, is higher among seniors (29%), the young (28%) and low-income individuals (30%).

United Way spokesperson Mary Rozak said the 25 percent figure was encouraging considering the fact that the 2-1-1 service was launched in April. "The fact that 25 percent of survey respondents were aware of 2-1-1 after just seven months is good news," she said.

Pelham said the 2-1-1 information and referral service not only connects people with services they need to improve their lives, but it provides real-time data on social needs. When this information is combined with the survey of community perceptions, United Way, its service partners and the public sector can be more strategic in responding to needs and improving community conditions, she said.

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin said that 2-1-1 serves as a valuable information clearinghouse that helps people connect with resources no matter what their problem is. He also applauded the survey respondents who seemed to recognize that they could be part of the solution to community needs. The government can help, Breslin said, but ultimately these efforts are more effective if they are community-driven.

Pelham agreed. "There are a lot of people who want to help," she said. "That's good news because we can't do it alone and our human service partners can't do it alone."

• See the full Siena Research Institute press release with complete findings
• See the cross-tabulated survey data
• Read a statement on the poll by Saratoga County Executive Joanne Yepsen
• View photos of press conference speakers (below)

United Way of the Greater Capital Region is dedicated to bringing people and resources together to achieve measurable and sustainable improvements in the quality of life for our community.  

Father Ken Paulli, Vice President, Siena College	Dr. Don Levy, Director, Siena Research Institute
Mike Breslin, Albany County Executive	Katherine Pelham, CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region