Community School Directors are United Way of Erie County employees embedded full-time within each Community School. They serve as the on-site connector between the school and community, building relationships with students, families, staff, and partners to remove non-academic barriers to learning. By coordinating resources and aligning support, Community School Directors, with the assistance of United Way backbone staff, help ensure every student and family has what they need to succeed in school and life.
Amy, an Erie native, graduated from East High School in 2003 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with dual minors in Athletic Coaching and Sports Behavior, from Gannon University. She later pursued graduate studies at California University of Pennsylvania, earning a Master of Science degree in Sports Management.
Amy has spent her career dedicated to working with youth, teens, and families in the Erie community, primarily in the nonprofit sector. She has a passion for health and wellness and has coached high school girls’ basketball within Erie’s Public Schools and Erie Crossover since 2009. Amy has worked at McKinley Elementary, one of the original five Community Schools, since 2018.
Corporate Partners are integrated partners, not just donors. Their collaboration creates consistency, resources, and opportunities that directly impact student success and family well-being — key pillars of the Community School Model. These businesses and organizations provide both financial and volunteer support, working side-by-side with Community School Directors to create meaningful opportunities, improve learning environments, and strengthen connections between schools and the community.
Interested in becoming a Corporate Partner? Contact Julie Chacona, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at julie@unitedwayerie.org or Anita Kuchcinski, Vice President of Development at anita@unitedwayerie.org.
Women United actively supports Community Schools by serving as a dedicated funding partner. They provide essential financial resources to address any gaps that United Way Community Schools might encounter. Their contributions can be tailored to support specific schools or bolster the overall Community School Model, ensuring a robust and sustainable educational environment. Through their partnership, they aim to enhance the quality of education and community engagement, making a tangible difference in the lives of students and families. Learn more about Women United.
This dashboard provides a comprehensive view of academic performance, attendance, and survey data for McKinley Elementary as a United Way Community School. It contains seven interactive pages, each focusing on a distinct area of data.
These stories highlight real examples of how the United Way Community Schools model is creating lasting change. From improved student engagement to stronger family connections, each story showcases the people, partnerships, and progress driving success across our community.
McKinley Elementary, a United Way Community School, hosted its annual Color Blast Party, bringing together more than 400 students and family members for an afternoon full of color, connection, and community.
At United Way Community Schools' 3rd Annual Leadership Retreat, more than 225 student leaders from 17 schools showed us the answer.
