When people think of a school, they usually picture students, teachers, and principals. But what if we told you there is a whole team working behind the scenes to make sure students get what they need to succeed? That team is led by United Way, and their job is to support something called a "Community School."
In this article, we will explain what a Community School is, what it means to be a "Backbone Organization," and how United Way helps schools become stronger, safer, and more supportive for students and families.
What Is a Community School?
A Community School is more than a place where students go to learn reading, writing, and math. It is a place where students and their families can also get help with health care, food, mental health, after-school programs, and more. These schools work with many partners to meet the needs of the whole child.
In Erie County, United Way is the backbone for 17 community schools. That includes all of the elementary and middle schools in Erie’s Public Schools and Erie High School. Each Community School has a full-time Community School Director (CSD) who helps run programs, solve problems, and connect families to services.
What Is a Backbone Organization?
A "Backbone Organization" is a group that helps everyone work together toward a common goal. In the case of Community Schools, the goal is to help every student succeed by removing non-academic barriers to learning. United Way is the Backbone Organization for all Community Schools in Erie’s Public Schools.
Here’s what that means:
- United Way brings people together. This includes schools, parents, businesses, service providers, and volunteers.
- United Way helps everyone stay focused on the same goals.
- United Way keeps track of progress using data.
- United Way provides funding, training, and support.
As the backbone organization, United Way plays a key role in Community Schools. While they don't run the schools, they ensure the schools have what they need to run well. Here are the main ways United Way contributes:
1. Hiring and Supporting Community School Directors (CSDs)
United Way hires and pays for the Community School Directors who work full-time in each school. These directors are like bridge-builders. They help connect students and families to the help they need. CSDs also organize events, support teachers and staff, and manage programs like after-school clubs or family engagement nights. United Way provides training and regular collaboration meetings so CSDs can learn from each other and share best practices.
2. Funding Programs and Services
Community Schools often need extra help to make sure students are ready to learn. That might mean paying for glasses, school supplies, or a mental health counselor. United Way helps fund these things. Every year, United Way raises money from donors, businesses, and foundations. This money goes straight into programs that support students. It helps make sure kids have what they need, whether it’s food, clothing, or fun enrichment activities.
3. Tracking Progress with Data
United Way believes in using data to drive decisions. That’s why they have a full team of people who collect and study data from each school. They look at things like attendance rates, survey results, and test scores. By analyzing the data, United Way can help schools find out what’s working and what needs to change. This helps schools focus their energy and resources where they will make the biggest difference.
4. Building Strong Partnerships
No one group can do it all alone. That’s why United Way works hard to build partnerships with local businesses, hospitals, nonprofits, colleges, and volunteers. These community partners bring time, skills, and resources into the schools. For example, a local hospital might offer free vision screenings. A business might donate school supplies. A local artist might run a fun after-school program. United Way helps manage and coordinate all of these efforts.
5. Training and Support for School Staff
Community Schools only work when everyone is on the same team. United Way works closely with school administrators and teachers to share ideas and offer support. They host regular meetings to talk about challenges, celebrate successes, and plan next steps. They also help with things like surveys, school improvement plans, and communication with families.
6. Communicating the Impact
United Way helps tell the story of Community Schools. They share success stories, program results, and important updates with the public. This helps the community see how important their support is and why it matters. They also invite leaders and donors to visit schools and see the work in action. These tours help bring in new supporters and build trust between the schools and the community.
Why This Matters to You
As a school administrator or teacher, you already work hard to help students learn and grow. But you know that some students come to school with challenges that make learning harder. They may be hungry, tired, or stressed. They may not have clean clothes, a quiet place to study, or someone to talk to when they feel sad. Community Schools help remove these learning barriers. And United Way is the team behind the team, making sure your school has the help it needs to support every student.
When you work with United Way and the Community School model, you get:
- A trusted partner who helps find solutions.
- A full-time staff person (CSD) to lead projects and connect resources.
- Extra support for students and families who need it most.
- Tools to track your school’s progress and make smart decisions.
Final Thoughts
Community Schools are changing lives in Erie County, and United Way is proud to be part of that change. As the Backbone Organization, United Way works every day to help schools become places where all kids can thrive. Whether you’re a principal, a teacher, or a school staff member, know that United Way is here to support you. Together, we can break down barriers and build up every student.
Learn more about United Way's role in Community Schools below.
