COMMUNITY SCHOOL LEARNING EXCHANGE

Over the past 8+ years, a quiet revolution has been unfolding in Erie’s public schools, and it is time we told the story. As our region works to reimagine its future, the success of our children is not a side issue: it is the foundation for everything.

Over the past decade, United Way of Erie County made a bold decision to shift from its traditional role as a fundraiser for local nonprofits to becoming a proactive social impact organization.

How United Way of Erie County is addressing Poverty through Community Schools
Since their inception, United Ways have seen numerous changes not only to the world around them, but also to the way they impact their local communities.

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." 

Community Schools are not just places where kids go to learn math and reading. They are schools that work with families and the whole community to support kids in every way. In this article, we’ll explore what Community Schools are, how they help kids, and why they are so important for breaking down learning barriers. 

On June 7, 2024, to secure the Community School Model for this and future generations, United Way of Erie County today announced a $1 million donation from Erie Insurance and kicked off the public phase of an ambitious endowment campaign and special impact project.

On May 14, United Way of Erie County held our first annual Community School Student Leadership Retreat sponsored by Women United. Nearly 200 students who are members of leadership groups from 13 elementary and middle community schools came together at UPMC Park for a day of fun games and leadership skill building. 

Supporters of United Way know that community schools work to break down nonacademic barriers low-income children face keeping them from being successful in school. A child’s life circumstances can greatly impact their ability to learn and thrive.

Data-driven decision making is a guiding principle of the Community School Model. We look at attendance, behavior, academic proficiency rates and more to determine needs and measure impact – but we also place heavy emphasis on stakeholder voice.

United Way of Erie County spoke with Deanna McFarland, principal of Grover Cleveland Elementary, about her experience implementing the Community School Model at Grover Cleveland and the changes she has seen in school culture since becoming a community school. 

Participate in the Erie High Community-Parent survey today! We need to hear from you to understand how we can improve Erie High through the Community School Model planning process.

If a child cannot see, they cannot learn. That’s why United Way of Erie County and Erie’s Public Schools have announced the launch of Glasses2Classes for students. The program is set to launch February 20 with the first eye exams happening at East Middle School. Full schedule is attached. An estimated 7,000 students attending Erie’s Public Schools are expected to be provided with free vision screenings and glasses as necessary.

United Way recently partnered with the Jefferson Educational Society to host a panel of experts as part of the 2022 Global Summit. The session, entitled Community Schools: A Model Locally, A Model Nationally was moderated by Ben Speggen and led by José Muñoz, Director of the Coalition for Community Schools, American University Professor Reuben Jacobson and Erie's Public Schools Superintendent Brian Polito.

Officials from United Way of Erie County in partnership with Erie’s Public Schools have announced Lincoln Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School will be transformed into the next two community schools in our region, bringing the total number of schools included in the partnership to 13 countywide. We are also announcing Scot Galloway has been named the community school director at Perry Elementary.

Officials from United Way of Erie County in partnership with Union City School District announced today that Union City Elementary will become United Way’s eleventh community school in Erie County. 

United Way is pleased to announce the funding of 19 neighborhood organization events and projects totaling $13,700 in mini-grants.

It's that time of year again! Students are packing up their dorms and heading home or to next year's living space. Why not donate those items you don't want to take with you to the annual Trash to Treasure sale, located at Erie Hall at Penn State Behrend on May 15 from 7:30AM to Noon. 

Officials from United Way of Erie County, UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor, Erie’s Public Schools and Gannon University have announced each of the five Case Managers hired for the Removing Barriers to Learning Through Case Management in Erie’s Community Schools project.

In July 2020, United Way announced a $2 million US Department of Education grant to boost our
community schools initiative. This grant, the largest single award to United Way in the organization’s 105-year history, will further support United Way’s community schools initiative aimed at removing barriers to learning so students and their families can succeed.

State-Level Data & United Way's Guide to 211 in NW PAPennsylvania has a state-wide network of 211 call centers, which allows United Ways to compare local data to other communities, as well as to the entire state.

Basic Needs & Supplies Pantries Receive Grant From Erie Women’s Fund
Imagine being a young child in Erie attending school, in-person or virtually, in dirty clothes, without a winter coat or boots, hungry or without having toothpaste and a toothbrush.