COMMUNITY SCHOOL LEARNING EXCHANGE

When students can see they can learn.

In the wake of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, more than five million Ukrainians have fled the country, creating what United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi describes as "Europe’s largest refugee crisis in more than a century."

Today, the two new leaders of The Erie Community Foundation and United Way of Erie County teamed up to launch #ErieUnitedForUkraine in support of the international effort by United Way Worldwide, a multinational effort to direct much-needed donations to United Way organizations in the countries welcoming Ukrainians fleeing the horrors of war.  President and CEO of United Way of Erie County Laurie Root along with President and CEO of the Foundation Karen Bilowith announced the Erie United for Ukraine campaign at a press conference held March 30. 

United Way of Erie County is on a MISSION to CRUSH poverty. And, we know the key to ending poverty is education. Join us May 19 at the Bayfront Convention Center to learn more about United Way's efforts to break the cycle of poverty in Erie County.

Women United for Community Schools is a network of local women investing in transforming the future of thousands of children by directing their financial resources to United Way’s community school initiative. With this strategic focus on community schools, Women United are leading the charge to a brighter future for our children, their families and our community.

Pennsylvania is one of the top 10 states with the largest populations of K-12 students without adequate internet connection (28 percent) and without adequate devices (23 percent). 

On Wednesday, March 2, schools across the community celebrated Read Across Erie County Day. 

While there have been wonderful women leaders of United Way’s Board of Directors, starting with Susan Hirt Hagen as the first in 1987, up until now all the presidents have been men. I am pleased and honored to be the first woman to serve as president, and hope that there are many others following me. However, it is important to me that I was selected based on my experience, skill set and leadership above being the first woman to lead the organization.

Today is a day to celebrate all the life-changing ways United Way’s 211 helpline services the residents of Erie County, and to encourage more to utilize the service available to them. 

United Way has received a $25,000 grant from the National Road Safety Foundation and the Governors Highway Safety Association to pilot a safer walking routes to school initiative at Iroquois Elementary United Way Community School. 

The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) has partnered with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to make $25,000 grants available to Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut State Highway Safety Offices.

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.

United Way of Erie County is pleased to announce the hiring of Sally Opferbeck as Vice President of Finance & Administration. In her new role, Sally will be responsible for all accounting, finance and treasury functions as well as for developing and maintaining the financial infrastructure and systems needed to safeguard the organization’s financial assets. She will be the senior financial position for the organization.

On Tuesday, November 9 representatives from United Way of Erie County, Erie’s Public Schools and Erie Insurance gathered at the newly completed Peaceful Playground at Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary, a community school.

United Way of Erie County partnered with Penn State Behrend Core and Dr. Chad Waldron, University of Michigan Flint to conduct ongoing research on the impact of United Way of Erie County’s Imagination Library in Erie County.

YOU can help ensure students at United Way community schools come to school warmly dressed and ready to learn everyday by supporting United Way Community Schools Drive: Coats & More!

Last September, United Way of Erie County was pleased to announce Robin Scheppner as the 2020 Tocqueville Award recipient. Due to uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual guestbook dedicated to Robin will replace the in-person congratulations that would have been shared at the event. We hope you'll share your praise for Robin at unitedwayerie.org/Robin!

United Way of Erie County has evolved from its roots as a fundraising organization to a critical community impact organization mobilizing local partners - including businesses, community leaders and residents - to break the cycle of poverty and expand opportunities for people to become self-sufficient.

United Way collected $2,045 of monetary donations for the recent Supplies for Success Community Schools Drive. As of August 20, more than $10,000 worth of supplies have been donated across all community schools.

United Way of Erie County is pleased to announce Union City native Bailey Pituch has been named community school director at Union City Elementary. This comes after United Way first announced the model would be coming to Union City School District, the fourth in Erie County, thanks to support from an anonymous donor and Women United for Community Schools.