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Erie FREE Taxes 4p VT 2

Erie FREE Taxes Filing Season Opens January 25

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vita
free tax prep
community impact

Friday Jan 22nd, 2021

The IRS has announced the opening of the 2021 tax filing season will be February 12, 2021. At that time, prepared tax returns will begin to be accepted and processed by the IRS. Refunds are anticipated to be released during the first week in March. Learn more

Please note that United Way Erie FREE Taxes will still begin its tax filing season on January 25, 2021, as scheduled. Prepared taxes will be held and submitted in accordance with the IRS tax filing calendar.

Weekly INBrief: January 20, 2021

weekly inbrief
jim ohrn
erie free taxes

Wednesday Jan 20th, 2021

Lessons Learned For 2021 Erie Free Tax PreparationWhen the pandemic reached Erie last March, all 16 United Way Erie FREE Taxes VITA sites were closed.  Thousands of people had pending appointments that had to be cancelled.

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Weekly INBrief: January 13, 2021

weekly inbrief
community impact

Wednesday Jan 13th, 2021

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.

Copy of 211DayInsta

February 11th is 211 Day!

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211day

Monday Jan 11th, 2021

Won't you join us for special virtual update regarding United Way's 211 Helpline? 

walmart

Walmart Shoppers Round-Up for United Way

walmart
round-up

Monday Jan 11th, 2021

Round-up to the nearest $ and donate to United Way of Erie County today!

EWF Thank You

Monday Jan 11th, 2021

At the end of what seemed like the longest year ever, many United Way Community Schools continued to struggle keeping their Basic Need Pantry stocked for all neighbor families to take advantage of.

UW Be There logo

United Way emphasizes attendance with Be There awareness campaign

Monday Dec 14th, 2020

At United Way, we know the key to breaking the cycle of poverty is education. But, if students aren’t in the classroom, virtually, or otherwise, they cannot succeed.
That’s why United Way will be launching the Be There awareness campaign in the coming days. As part of our work to prepare children to succeed in school and life, our Raising Readers attendance initiative, Be There, mobilizes trusted, caring adults to promote excellent school attendance among local children in Erie's Public Schools. Unlike traditional efforts to reduce truancy and chronic absenteeism, Be There is a positive campaign focused on encouragement and positive reinforcement.
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FREE HOLIDAY MEALS AND SERVICES 2020

holiday
Volunteer

Thursday Dec 10th, 2020

Updated list of free holiday meals and services provided in Erie County this year.

Mask Erie aids Community Schools Through Mask Donations

Friday Dec 4th, 2020

When the volunteers of Mask Erie heard about students eventually returning to their school buildings, they wanted to do their part to help the community! 

Sara Musone, President of Community School Harding Elementary's PTO and board member of the Foundation for Erie Public Schools, knew this collaboration could make a big difference...

United Way VITA Site Coordinator

JOB POSTING: VITA SITE COORDINATOR

jobs
careers
vita
eft

Monday Nov 30th, 2020

United Way currently seeks qualified candidates for the position of VITA Site Coordinator. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by Monday, December 7, 2020 at 4:00PM EST. Learn more.

 

Copy of Dec. 19 Jan. 29 Homeless Shelter Schedule 2

Seasonal Overflow Shelter Opens Its Doors

covid
COVID-19
shelter

Wednesday Nov 18th, 2020

With all COVID-19 guidelines in place, Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA) in collaboration with Our Neighbor's Place will open the seasonal warming shelter beginning Wednesday, November 18.

edison game night

Edison Family Game Night emphasizes attendance

edison
community schools
be there
attendance

Tuesday Nov 17th, 2020

In an effort to engage with families virtually, the team at Edison launched their first-ever virtual game night for families made possible with United Way of Erie County funding.

Check out the Edison Elementary Facebook page for all the details from Game Night!

PB Mirror

MIRROR program powers on at community schools

pfeiffer burleigh
mirror
international institute
new americans
community impact
community schools

Tuesday Nov 17th, 2020

The International Institute's MIRROR program, funded by United Way, had to adapt quite quickly amidst COVID as normally the program would have been implemented in person for families in need at community schools Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary and McKinley Elementary. 

The MIRROR program was created to address the complex, diverse, and interconnected needs of refugee youth – as they cope with acculturation stress or childhood trauma, as they transition into the US school system, and as they adapt to resettled life in Erie, PA. The MIRROR program was created to support teachers and school staff who “may feel ill-equipped to address the student’s need(s).” The MIRROR program was created to focus on “the challenges associated with trauma that impede English Language Learners’ ability to achieve academic success.” MIRROR programming is meant to include monthly assessments, supportive case management, streamlined referrals, group parenting and youth workshops, and interpretation support.

Winter Gear for EVES Students

community impact
elk valley
eves
bonnells
matrix
reed

Monday Nov 16th, 2020

Community School Director, Tammy Rader was recently able to organize a Winter Gear Drive for students at Elk Valley Elementary. In addition to students and their families being able to pick up donated winter items, the Giving Pantry was also opened for families who could come in take things as needed. Special thanks to community school corporate partner Bonnell's Auto Group who purchased one of every item on the EVES Winter Gear Amazon Wish list which was a huge help! In total more than 30 families received assistance through this effort!

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Fall Fitness with the Y at Harding

community schools
harding
ymca of greater erie

Monday Nov 16th, 2020

The YMCA of Greater Erie serves as the lead partner at Harding Elementary, a United Way community school. As lead partner, the Y recently put one of their greatest resources into action for the teachers and staff at Harding. Fall Fitness was implemented for the first time this year and provided teachers and staff at Harding with the opportunity to unwind and focus on self-care.

Shia virtual volunteer

Community Schools Volunteer Spotlight: Shia Knight

Monday Nov 16th, 2020

Shia Knight is an 11 year-old Luther Memorial student who was in need of completing community service hours over the summer. That's when Shia's mom Kelina, who is the East Middle School secretary, reached out to Rachel Pierce community school director. Kelina and Shia were looking for opportunities to give back to East and Rachel knew just the way to have Shia help!

Shia participated in East's Random Acts of Kindness campaign from home, writing 150 postcards with positive messaging to be sent to East students who were identified as being in need of encouragement in what we all know are very challenging times - especially for students!

This was the first time Rachel had engaged with a volunteer remotely and it was a huge success! Students will receive these post cards this year to help encourage them to continue to engage in learning as well as remind them that the East family is still there for them while virtual learning and the pandemic continues.

Diehl MU Bags

Mercyhurst aids Diehl with bags

Monday Nov 16th, 2020

Mercyhurst University serves as the lead partner to Diehl Elementary, a United Way community school. Recently, Mercyhurst's campus ministry team joined together to make Halloween take and make kits for kindergarten - second grade students at Diehl.

thanksgiving

Free Thanksgiving Meals in Erie County 2020

Thursday Nov 12th, 2020

Updated list of free Thanksgiving meals provided in Erie County this year.

Erie FREE Taxes 4p VT

United Way Seeks Volunteer Tax Preparers for 2021 Erie FREE Taxes Filing Season

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eft
tax preparation
Volunteer

Monday Nov 9th, 2020

United Way of Erie County’s Erie FREE Taxes program is in urgent need of community members interested in becoming IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers for the 2021 tax filing season. 

julie chacona

Q & A with Julie Chacona, United Way Director of Major Gifts

Monday Oct 19th, 2020

Earlier this month, United Way announced the hiring of Julie Chacona as Director of Major Gifts. Learn more about Julie in this Q&A.

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