Newsroom

Locally, our community schools initiative brings a wide range of resources directly into the school to support students and their families, removing barriers to learning so children can be successful in school...and life!

The Red Carpet Welcome events at community schools mark the start of a busy and exciting year for students across Erie County. The high fives and cheers from volunteers representing various corporate and lead partners along with welcome back hugs from teachers, principals, community school directors and staff created a wildly enthusiastic start to the academic school year for both students and their families this week.

Thanks to your support of United Way, 11 community schools each received $2,318 which funded initiatives in the Spring 2022 academic semester. Community funded projects provide a valuable source of revenue so Community School Directors have a little extra discretionary income to add to their revenue pool for sustaining and adding additional enrichment and incentive programs as well as appreciation activities for both students and teachers. Here are just a few examples of your impact in action.

The Erie Arts and Culture Purposeful Placemaking initiative now includes completion of the second mural along Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary's Safer Walking Route to School. Leveraging art, United Way's Safer Walking Routes to School and our connections to neighborhoods through the Community Schools Model, this placemaking project is an investment in neighborhood beautification. The theme for the Remnant Store mural (pictured right), which was informed through community engagement and information gathering, is togetherness and a collective approach to building home.