United Way Of Mercer County

THE UNITED WAY OF MERCER COUNTY IS A PENNSYLVANIA NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE'S LIVES IN MERCER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. IT IS GOVERNED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND HAS A MEMBERSHIP WITH BOTH THE UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE AND THE UNITED WAY OF PENNSYLVANIA. THE MISSION IS TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES AND CREATE BETTER FUTURES BY LIFTING FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY.

UNITED WAY OF MERCER COUNTY IS COMMITTED, ENGAGED, AND RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH ACTIVE VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, UNITED WAY CONSISTENTLY SEEKS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR ITS PARTNER AGENCIES WHILE DEVELOPING INITIATIVES THAT BUILD COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY IMPACT STRATEGY, VOLUNTEERS ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE PARTNER AGENCIES AND OTHER UNITED WAY INITIATIVES WITH RESOURCES THAT ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.

THE AGENCY HAS ADOPTED THE COMMUNITY IMPACT PHILOSOPHY TO INVEST DOLLARS IN AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH CRITICAL NEEDS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THEIR ON GOING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS. THE AGENCY SUPPORTS A NETWORK OF QUALITY AGENCIES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO USE THE UNITED WAY OF MERCER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA'S BRAND AND RECEIVE ALLOCATIONS OF UNRESTRICTED AND PROGRAM RESTRICTED GIVING IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND HEALTH. ALLOCATIONS TO MEMBER AGENCIES ARE DETERMINED BY VOLUNTEERS THROUGH THE AGENCY'S "AGENCY ALLOCATION REVIEW PROCESS". THESE VOLUNTEERS ENGAGE IN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AGENCY VISITS, TRAINING, AND COUNCIL MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE VARIOUS SERVICE SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY ULTIMATELY MAKE DECISIONS. THEY HAVE USED A PROGRAM PROPOSAL RATING SYSTEM FOR THE EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN (10) YEARS. THIS RATING SYSTEM EXAMINES SEVEN AREAS OF AGENCY/PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AND SERVES AS THE INITIAL BASIS FOR DECISION MAKING. THE VOLUNTEERS CONSIDER SUCH FACTORS AS REDUCTIONS IN PUBLIC FUNDING, CHANGES IN THE WAY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED, THE LOSS OF OTHER SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MAY INHIBIT PROGRAM SUCCESS, AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN DESIGNATIONS THAT INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES RECEIVED. AS PART OF ITS COMMUNITY IMPACT PROGRAM, THE AGENCY SERVES AS THE MERCER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA 211 REGIONAL CENTER AND LEADER. 211 IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, EASY TO REMEMBER PHONE NUMBER THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH LOCAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE RESOURCES.

THE AGENCY COORDINATES AND FUNDS "SUCCESS BY 6", A COMMUNITY WIDE EFFORT THAT SEEKS TO PREPARE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS EDUCATION LIAISONS THAT FOCUS ON SCHOOL READINESS. RESEARCH SHOWS HIGH-QUALITY PRE-ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS INCREASE A CHILD'S CHANCES OF SUCCEEDING IN SCHOOL.THE AGENCY, IN COLLABORATION WITH SEVERAL LOCAL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS, HAS DEVELOPED AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOCUSING ON IMPROVING CLASSROOM PERFORMANCE AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE PROGRAM'S TARGET AUDIENCE IS PRIMARILY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AT RISK OF SCHOOL FAILURE WHO COME FROM ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS. THE PROGRAM HAS DEVELOPED A TAILORED APPROACH STEAM CURRICULUM ALIGNED WITH SCHOOL STANDARDS, AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM COMPONENT TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORS THAT IMPEDE PERFORMANCE, AND COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SUPPORT FAMILIES THROUGH TRAINING AND CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES AND SERVICES