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The latest on what we're up to, most proud of, and inspired by.

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Ramadan Mubarak

Thursday Mar 23rd, 2023

With just hours before Ramadan begins, Islam’s holiest month, seven East Middle, a United Way community school, students gathered in their community room to share more about Ramadan and the gratitude of having a safe space for prayer and family within the school.

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Diehl Elementary's Coalition of Corporate Partners

Thursday Mar 23rd, 2023

Thanks to the generosity of United Way's corporate and funding partners, together, we are making a transformational impact in the lives of students and their families throughout Erie County.

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Read Across America Day

Thursday Mar 16th, 2023

Read Across America is an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and aims to celebrate diverse books and voices throughout the year. You may think of March 2, Read Across America Day, as a day to celebrate Dr. Seuss but, it's so much more for students in Erie County thanks to United Way community schools.

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Donna Douglas Feature: Women United

Monday Mar 13th, 2023

Donna Douglass has been a strong advocate of United Way’s mission to crush poverty and ensure all students succeed and all families thrive.

 

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Board Chair Lorianne (LA) Feltz

Wednesday Mar 1st, 2023

As incoming board chair for United Way of Erie County, I’ve seen firsthand the fantastic work accomplished by the local social impact organization. They envision a collaborative community where all students succeed, and all families thrive.

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Safe. Alive. And out of jail.

Wednesday Feb 22nd, 2023

District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz emphasizes these three goals when she addresses youth violence in our community. She is a strong advocate of United Way Community Schools because she has experienced first-hand how they are an essential partner in the DA’s work in keeping our young people on a positive path to a brighter future.

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Community Schools Drive: Closet Restock

Wednesday Feb 15th, 2023

The 16 United Way Community Schools in Erie County all have a basic needs and supply closets—Community Closets, which serve as an invaluable resource for students and families.

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211 Feature: Paul Wotus

Tuesday Feb 7th, 2023

We recently connected with Paul Wotus, PA 211 Northwest Database Coordinator, to discuss his role and the impact 211 is making across the region.

 

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Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary, a United Way community school visit

Wednesday Feb 1st, 2023

Earlier this week, a group of community leaders toured Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary to learn more about how United Way community schools, a data-driven, evidence-based public education model, bring a wide-range of resources into schools to remove barriers to learning, providing children the support they need to achieve academic success.

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Erie FREE Taxes Season Overview

Wednesday Jan 25th, 2023

One very effective way United Way of Erie County is helping to bolster family stability is through Erie FREE Taxes. Through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), Erie FREE Taxes provides free tax preparation service to Erie County tax filers and ensures every eligible filer claims the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC, one of our county’s most effective anti-poverty tools, lifts more than 8 million adults and children above the poverty line. To those eligible, it provides a cash credit that boosts incomes of low-to-moderate income workers, helping them meet their basic needs. For those who receive the credit, it may enable them to save for emergencies, pay down debt or put a down payment on a home.

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UPDATE: Poverty Data

Wednesday Jan 18th, 2023

United Way of Erie County utilizes American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau to analyze poverty rates for Erie County. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, estimates for 2020 were only released on a state-wide basis.

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"Follow Your Dreams"

Wednesday Jan 18th, 2023

This past Monday, the United States honored the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the young preacher who devoted his life to freedom, equality and justice for all. His famous speech, I Have a Dream, that was delivered on August 28, 1963 became one of the defining moments of the civil rights movements and one of the most iconic speeches in American history.  

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Staff Updates

Wednesday Jan 11th, 2023

At United Way, we say “changing lives is all in a day’s work.” As we begin the year 2023, we wanted to share with our valued supporters some recent staffing updates.  

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Winter Safety

Wednesday Jan 4th, 2023

Now that winter is upon us and the second half of the school year has started, it's a good time to remember thousands of students are walking to school every day --- no matter the weather --- and they need to arrive safely. Student walking safety is a critical issue facing our community.

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#Communityschoolsinaction-December

Wednesday Dec 21st, 2022

Winter is officially here and United Way extends wishes for a joyous holiday season. May your heart be warmed by these examples of ways United Way funding through the Community Schools Model has impacted the lives of students and their families during the month of December.

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Winter Supply Drive

Wednesday Dec 14th, 2022

Even though the official start of winter is one week away, cold weather has set in, and snow has already blanketed many parts of Pennsylvania. Winter is especially challenging and dangerous for the most vulnerable families and their children as they seek out basic needs.

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Thank You Wegmans!

Wednesday Dec 7th, 2022

The power of partnerships between United Way of Erie County and companies like Wegmans, are creating real change in our mission to Crush Poverty!

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Students at community schools are proving United Way's Community Schools Model is working

Monday Dec 5th, 2022

The results are in. Students at community schools are proving United Way's Community Schools Model is working.

 

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United Way Set to Mail One Millionth Book in Erie County Through Imagination Library

Wednesday Nov 30th, 2022

A free book-a-month program for all children living in Erie County from birth to age five. That’s the Imagination Library! Launched by United Way of Erie County in 2013, the Imagination Library for Erie County will celebrate a historic milestone during the month of December… hitting the ONE MILLION books mailed mark.

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United Way partners with Erie Contemporary Ballet Theater for The Nutcracker

Wednesday Nov 23rd, 2022

United Way of Erie County is partnering with Erie Contemporary Ballet Theater (ECBT) for their performances of The Nutcracker on November 26 at 7 p.m. and November 27 at 2 p.m.