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GREENSBORO — When the United Way of Greater Greensboro questioned where it should focus its energy and dollars in the coming years, it turned to the city’s residents for the answer.

They responded with four focus issues:

• Improving the financial stability of individuals and families.
• Providing access to comprehensive health services.
• Ensuring successful school experiences for every child.
• Nurturing children and youth for positive development.

The issues, which were the result of months of discussion and assessment by community members, were unveiled Wednesday during the United Way’s annual meeting at the Empire Room.

The United Way raised $11.5  million during its 2009-10 campaign.

But Keith Barsuhn,  the organization’s president,  said the way its 30  member agencies are funded will not immediately change based on these new objectives.

Instead, stakeholder groups will be formed to develop a plan for how to best respond to each goal over the next few years.

The initiative to identify the priority areas, Voices.Choices,  took about six months and was developed based on feedback from more than 1,700 community members who expressed their concerns through forums, surveys and other methods.

Tom Campbell, president and CEO  of Family Service of the Piedmont, said he’s not surprised financial stability made the list.

Family Service, which Campbell said is the largest multi-service nonprofit in Guilford County, operates a consumer credit counseling program. That program previously focused on debt consolidation, Campbell said, but its focus has turned to helping residents avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy.

“We have seen the need for that program more than double in the last year,” Campbell said.

United Way conducted a similar study in 2004 and has plans to do one every three to five years.

United Way also discussed its 2009-10 campaign on Wednesday.

United Way attracted more than 3,300  new donors this year and saw an increase in giving among some groups. But the organization’s fundraising efforts fell short of its $12. 5 million goal.

Still, Tim Rice, campaign chairman and president and CEO  of the Moses Cone Health System, commended the companies and their employees who stepped up their campaigns during a tough year to raise the $11.5  million.

“This will go a long, long way to helping those people in our community who really need it right here, right now,” Rice said.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 373-7080 or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com