COMMUNITY SCHOOL LEARNING EXCHANGE

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

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.

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…

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.

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!

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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

United Way of Erie County is pleased to announce the hiring of Julie Chacona as Director of Major Gifts. Julie is an Erie native and has a rich history of service to the community. She earned Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a double minor in Fine Arts and Economics from Boston College and holds fundraising certificates from Indiana University Lilly School of Fundraising.

This years award goes to... Robin Scheppner!

Award presentation and honorary reception to be celebrated in 2021.

As summer draws to an end, it's time to get back into the school routine. This year, United Way community schools will "open their doors" in a partial or full virtual setting. We know this transition can be confusing for most and United Way of Erie County is here to help! 

We’re fast approaching harvest season! This means all 14 of our community school gardens are filled with full grown, healthy, and delicious produce for families to pick up and enjoy. Usually this produce would go towards the kid’s school lunches, but since we are virtually learning this fall, this produce needs to find a new home... in your kitchen!

United Way of Erie County along with representatives from partners Erie’s Public Schools, Gannon University and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor announced the details of a recent grant award from the U.S. Department of Education. 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. The federal grant will total $2,031,397 over the course of a five-year grant period. The amount is 27.5% of the total costs of the project. 72.5% of the total costs of the project will be financed by non-governmental sources.

While traditional school doors have closed, the doors to opportunity for students and their families continue to be wide open thanks to United Way's community schools model. Transformational work is happening through United Way's community schools model in our community each and everyday. Check out how United Way's community schools are helping beyond school walls.

United Way's Raising Readers initiative has released a Summer Bucket List and Self-Care Tip Sheet for Parents and Caregivers.

The Raising Readers initiative is looking at three factors to help our students become proficient readers by third grade: School Readiness, School Attendance, and Summer Learning.

The development and distribution of these resources falls under the work of the Summer Learning subcommittee. Summer Learning is supporting families and students over the summer months. The “summer slide” is what often happens to disadvantaged children during the summer months. They tread water at best or even fall behind, while higher-income children build their skills steadily over the summer months. Teachers then spend the first quarter of the school year re-teaching material from the previous school year. With the COVID pandemic hitting our children especially hard, United Way is additionally focused on what we're calling the "COVID slide," learning loss as a result of the COVID pandemic.