Living United in PA
 
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Community Impact in PA 

Centre County United Way's Partner Network County-Wide Reading Program 

When adults read with young children it makes them better prepared to start school. Studies have found that children whose caregivers read to them for twenty minutes a day find reading enjoyable and are ready to enter school with early literacy skills. It sounds so simple, yet 54.6% of children in Centre County are at risk for poor school performance. (PA Department of Child Development and Early Learning)
 
The Centre County United Way Partner Network wants to give all kids in Centre County the chance to enter school with the skills they need to experience success as they progress through graduation and beyond. To that end, the Partner Network has launched the "Raising Readers" program.
 
A vital component of the program is to provide books to children free of charge. A book drive, which is supported by area school districts, preschools, local businesses, partner agencies, and Penn State University, ran until just last month. The donated books will be distributed to Partner Network Agencies who have direct interaction with 0-5 year olds and their parents. Children get a free book to take home and read with their parent or caregiver. Agency personnel also follow-up with the caregiver and child during a subsequent meeting and the child receives another book.
 
Raising Readers is available to all children in Centre County. If you would like more information about the program, please contact Centre County United Way at 814-238-8283 or visit ccunitedway.org. 

United Way Programs Make a Difference 

United Way of Butler County 
Employment Initiative 

Through their Employment Initiative, the United Way of Butler County is working to help Butler County residents transform their lives by finding meaningful, sustainable employment.  The program is designed to pair an individual who may need support with a local employment elsewhere. Below is George's story, who achieved success through participation in the Employment Initiative.  

George is a veteran who was referred to the Employment Initiative by a local agency.  Through the project, he was able to obtain a full-time position with benefits.  Utilizing support from the project and transportation assistance from other Butler County agencies, he has been able to maintain his new job.  Unfortunately, after gaining this position, he was diagnosed with cancer, but since his job offered benefits and short-term disability, he was able to take paid time off from work for treatment and surgery.  The benefits that came with his new job allowed him to remain at home while obtaining proper care, and he was able to focus on recovery fora quicker return back to work.  

George stated that without all the support to gain employment, he would have been in bad shape and possibly homeless.  He is very grateful for all the services that were available to him, which helped put him in a position of success.  

PA UNITED WAYS IN THE NEWS

Check out what United Ways are doing throughout PA! 

Northeast PA 2-1-1 Center Receive Grant Money to Redesign Website: 


United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Advocates to Expand Tax Credits: 


  United Way of the Capital Region Changing the Way it Allocates Funding:

UNITED WAYS ACROSS THE NATION

Check out some of the great work United Ways are doing across the country! 

Middlesex United Way: 2-1-1 and Coordinated Access Networks: 
 
UPCOMING UNITED WAY 
EVENTS

UWP Annual Conference  
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort 
June 21-23

Check Out What Your Local United Way has Going On
LIVING UNITED IN PENNSYLVANIA
United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP) is a state association representing our 52 member United Way's across the Commonwealth. 

UWP's mission is to assist and champion the efforts of local United Ways in advancing the common good

Primarily UWP's work consists of government relations work on the policy issues affecting PA's communities in the areas of health, education, and financial stability.  In addition, UWP works with our local United Way members to support their efforts and offer support to their mission.  


Visit United Way of Pennsylvania's website
to learn more about how local United Ways are working to advance the common good

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