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April is National Volunteer month. And, they say that nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer. As we all continue to navigate a new normal imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an inspiring, heartfelt response from people throughout our region who want to lend a hand. At United Way we are fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers that give back by choosing to volunteer through United Way's community schools partnership. Two of those volunteers are Deb and Ray Tackett who volunteer at Edison Elementary, a United Way community school whose corporate partner is Wabtec Corporation.

There is a new financial incentive for Americans to give generously to qualifying charities, including United Way of Erie County and many of our community partners. The new universal tax break for charitable donations was included in the final $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law last week and will go into effect starting with the 2020 tax year.

Join us in coloring fun!

How to Receive the Stimulus Payment

If you did not file a 2019, or 2018 income tax return and you do not receive Social Security benefits

You will need to file a simple tax return for 2019, even if you are not normally required to file. This will provide the IRS with your current bank account information so that your stimulus payment can be direct deposited.

United Way is pleased to announce Tammy Rader has been named the Community School Director at Elk Valley Elementary.

A Girard School District graduate herself, Tammy received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Counseling both from Edinboro University. "I am so excited to come back to my roots of being a Yellow Jacket," she said.

United Way of Erie County is committed to connecting residents to prescription savings resources during the coronavirus pandemic through its partnership with FamilyWize, an organization focused on improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Community residents can call FamilyWize for free customer support to help them coordinate prescription medication delivery from participating pharmacies. Residents will also continue to receive savings on medications by using the free FamilyWize prescription program card.

Those in need of help or wanting to help should visit PA211NW.org

Volunteer-dependent organizations in Erie County are running low on volunteers. That’s why United Way has partnered with Erie County Government and ServErie to connect interested individuals with available volunteer opportunities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the PA 211 Helpline website PA211NW.org. 

Direct link for those interested in volunteering:
http://pa211nw.org/erie-covid-19-response-volunteer/

Direct link for interested agencies/organizations in need of help:
http://pa211nw.org/erie-covid-19-agency-form/

United Way of Erie County is pleased to join forces with The Erie Community Foundation and other funders in our community to launch the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund through the Erie Gives platform. We understand many people and businesses are not in a position to give at this time, but for those who are, this is a very strategic way to contribute to the cause and address the most critical needs in the Erie community during this difficult time.

AmeriCorps Week, March 8-14, 2020, is a celebration of all things AmeriCorps – from the programs and organizations that make this national service initiative possible in communities across the country, to the members who have pledged to “Get Things Done” since the program’s inception in 1994.Damali Donovan has been with United Way of Erie County as an AmeriCorps Vista through Lake Effect Leaders since August 2019. Damali is providing capacity building support to United Way’s community schools and  Raising Readers, our local Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.

Grant received from nonprofit First Book in partnership with United Way of PA to be celebrated during Read Across America Week, March 2-6

United Way of Erie County, in partnership with The City of Erie and Erie’s Public Schools have announced the launch of the Safe Routes to School initiative.

United Way began facilitation of the implementation of a $250,000 Erie Community Foundation Shaping Tomorrow grant focused on increasing school attendance at Community Schools in the City of Erie in 2018. Strategies include the following: conducting a comprehensive education and awareness campaign; identifying, improving, and promoting the safest walking routes to each school; and piloting “walking school buses” along the safe routes.

The goal of the Safe Routes initiative is to improve the safety of Erie’s Public Schools students, so they can get to school regularly and on-time.

Thanks to the support of Tungsten Creative Group, “Walking Route To” signage was designed and produced. Vivx Display Solutions also worked on the project, providing in-kind support for sign production.

The installation and launch of the Safe Routes initiative follows United Way’s collaborative work with Gannon University to conduct walkability assessments identifying the safest routes for students to use when they walk to school.

As part of the project, Gannon University faculty and student interns observed how Erie’s Public Schools students go to and from school, the physical conditions of those school routes, and any potential safety concerns.

This information was analyzed and mapped to identify the safest routes. Partners then worked to determine any potential physical improvements to those safe routes. The City of Erie also plans to leverage a portion of its Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant to provide added or improved signage, pavement markings, traffic control devices and sidewalk improvements to enhance the safety of students walking the routes.

Additional Safe Routes to School “Walking Route” signage is expected to be installed this Summer for students and families at four additional United Way community schools including East Middle School, Edison Elementary School, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School and Strong Vincent Middle School.

Officials from United Way of Erie County in partnership with the Iroquois School District announced TechnipFMC as an additional confirmed corporate partner in the community schools initiative.

Erie County Single Point in Time Count

January 24, 2020

We need your help to make sure our most vulnerable are not forgotten. Volunteer for the Unsheltered Street Count, January 24th, 9 pm through 3 am.

2 shifts available: 9 pm—12:30 am and 12:30 am to 3 am
Assemble at the VA Medical Center, Building #8 at 9pm for street count overview.

For more information or to volunteer, contact George Fickenworth, Mercyhurst Civic Institute, at gfickenworth@mercyhurst.edu, or
Mike Wehrer, VA Medical Center, at Michael.Wehrer@va.gov

United Way currently seeks qualified candidates for the positions of Community Impact Manager and Community Impact Coordinator. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 4:00PM EST. Learn more

Officials from United Way of Erie County in partnership with Erie’s Public Schools have announced the community school directors at Harding Elementary and Perry Elementary, United Way’s newest community schools. The announcement of these two schools coming on board as community schools was made earlier this year, bringing the total number of schools included in United Way’s community schools partnership to ten countywide.

Community Schools model advances with hiring of two additional directors

United Way of Erie County is excited to share with you PA 2-1-1 Northwest’s 2018-2019 Annual Report. Download the report