Contrasting United Way, Wheeler

Businesses and their employees opened pockets
last year to enable United Way of Central Indiana to hit a record $39 million in contributions.

The not-for-profit attributed the good news to hustle by campaign co-chairmen who offered money from their own pockets as
incentives to United Way staff and volunteers to visit businesses.

Itâ??s hard to miss the contrast with Wheeler Mission Ministriesâ?? announcement
Monday that it will lay off 13 staff as it shifts its youth and family programs to Shepherd Community Center.

Wheeler was staring at a $342,000 deficit in its fiscal year. Contributions were softening due to donor concerns about the
weak economy and possibly uncertainty that accompanies presidential election years, Wheeler said.

Wheeler, which is returning to its roots of housing the homeless, has strained under a fivefold demand for its services in
the past decade.

Is the only connection between United Wayâ??s success and Wheeler Missionâ??s struggle that their announcements came in the same
week? Or is there more to it?