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United Way of Erie County serves as a required member of the Erie County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Board. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the "Jobs Stimulus Bill," Public Law 98-8. That legislation created the National Board which is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and includes several social service organizations in addition to United Way. Phased funding has continued the establishment of the EFSP.

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.

At United Way, changing lives is all in a day's work. It's what we call LIVING UNITED. And, that's why we are pleased to announce  we have added the following team members dedicated to our mission to crush poverty in Erie County.

We are excited to welcome Scot, Alycia, Josh and Donnie to our United Way team. Click the link to read more.

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.

Through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), Erie FREE Taxes provides free tax preparation service to Erie County tax filers and ensures that every eligible filer claims the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC, one of our county’s most effective anti-poverty tools, lifts more than 8 million adults and children above the poverty line. 

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.

The Marketing & Communications Coordinator is an enthusiastic team member of the Marketing & Communications department reporting to the Director. They provide brand management support and assist with the implementation of marketing, public relations, advertising and promotional strategy for the organization. A cover letter and resume sent to jobs@unitedwayerie.org by January 19, 2022 is required for consideration.

View the complete job description

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.

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