Statewide Initiatives
United Way of Pennsylvania works to promote programs and initiatives all across the Commonwealth. Currently, United Way of Pennsylvania lends support to a number of crucial initiatives through leadership, public policy and networking.
Stay Warm PA
United Way partners with state government and other stakeholders to help Pennsylvanians brace for home heating issues and large energy bills through the Stay Warm PA Initiative.
In the local level, United Way often convenes organizations to capture the collective expertise and creativity of community leaders for the purpose of developing strategies to help Pennsylvanians save money, cut energy costs and learn where they can help -- right in their own community.
For more information, please visit: http://www.staywarmpa.com/news.html
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together diverse stakeholders to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.
Since the spring of 2005, over 250,000 Pennsylvanians have received free or nearly free medicines.
For more information, please visit: www.pparx.com
PA 2–1–1
The PA 2–1–1 Collaborative is dedicated to providing all Pennsylvanians with easy access to information about the full range of public and private community programs and services provided throughout Pennsylvania. PA 2–1–1 is working diligently to bring this vital service to all citizens of our Commonwealth.
2–1–1 is an easy-to-remember number to call when you need help or access to human services. Like 9–1–1 for emergencies, 2–1–1 provides direct, personal and professional assistance for human services. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in multiple languages.
For more information, please visit: www.pa211.com
Emergency Food and Shelter Program – State Set–Aside Committee
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created by Congress to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.
The program is governed by a national board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The state set-aside process identifies and funds areas of need not reflected in the national criteria. State set-aside committees receive funds based upon the number of unemployed people in counties within their state that do not qualify under the National Board's criteria.
State committees may use any criteria they wish to develop a needs-based formula to determine which jurisdictions receive funding. The committees must give priority to jurisdictions which have not qualified under the National Board formula.
For more information, please visit: www.efsp.unitedway.org
AmeriCorps*VISTA Project
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. Many refer to AmeriCorps as the “domestic Peace Corps.”
With passion, commitment, and hard work, VISTA members create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
With the support of AmeriCorps*VISTA, Pennsylvania United Ways are able to increase the capacity within their organizations and in turn strengthen their community.
Each local United Way in which an AmeriCorps*VISTA member has been placed has seen a noteworthy increase in capacity, resource development capabilities, and positive community outreach/impact.
Overall, VISTA members assist local United Ways to better execute their Community Impact agendas (Education, Income, & Health) and advance the common good.
For more information about AmeriCorps*VISTA, please visit: www.americorps.gov/vista or contact UWP directly.
