United Way of Pennsylvania l November 7, 2024

United Way of Pennsylvania has applied for federal funding to establish the Digital Equity Consulting Corps (DECC), an initiative designed to enhance digital inclusion for underserved populations across Pennsylvania. Targeted groups include low-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, rural residents, and ALICE households. Through DECC, UWP aims to bridge the digital divide by addressing challenges in broadband access, affordability, and digital literacy. This project will provide community-based organizations (CBOs) with resources to integrate digital literacy and broadband solutions, ensuring underserved communities can fully participate in the digital economy.

To implement this vision, DECC will operate across regional hubs, providing consultant support to CBOs in building digital access and literacy into their services. The program includes workforce development, telehealth support, and digital literacy training, enhancing employment opportunities, healthcare access, and civic engagement. If awarded funding, UWP plans a phased rollout beginning with planning, staffing, and training, followed by deployment and evaluation. Partnerships with local agencies and ongoing assessments will ensure the program’s long-term sustainability, with goals to establish affordable broadband connections, create a digital literacy resource hub, and address structural barriers to digital equity throughout Pennsylvania.

We extend thanks to our partners—Blueprints, Community Action Association of PA, Lycoming County United Way, PA Association for Area Agencies on Aging, PA Workforce Development Association, Susquehanna County Interfaith, Susquehanna Valley United Way, United Way of Clarion County, and United Way of Venango County—for their commitment and collaboration in advancing digital equity across PA.

Learn more about the Digital Equity Consulting Corps Plan.

United For ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) has partnered with Independent Sector to examine financial insecurity among nonprofit workers, who play critical roles in health care, education, social services, advocacy, religious institutions, and other areas of civil society. The Report rigorously analyzes publicly available data to understand the financial status of the country’s 13.9 million nonprofit employees in greater detail than ever before and finds that more than one in five nonprofit employees in the United States experience financial hardship. 

Here are some of the key takeaways:

▪ More than one in five nonprofit workers fell below the ALICE Threshold.

▪ Nearly one-third of workers at social assistance and at arts, entertainment, and recreation nonprofits faced financial hardship. The nonprofits with the lowest rates of financial hardship included health care and educational services.

▪ Black and Hispanic nonprofit workers were twice as likely as White workers to experience financial hardship, and one-third of nonprofit workers with disabilities struggled financially.

▪ Nonprofit workers with children were at higher risk of financial hardship.

United for ALICE has released its latest report, ALICE in Focus: Children in Pennsylvania, revealing that the number of children living in financially insecure households is significantly undercounted. In 2022, 46% of Pennsylvania's 2.6 million children lived in households with incomes below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival, accounting for both those in poverty and ALICE households. This statistic ranks Pennsylvania 22nd among all states and DC, where 1st represents the lowest rate of children living in financial hardship.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

▪ Systemic barriers led to racial/ethnic disparities: 71% of Black and 68% of Hispanic children lived below the ALICE Threshold, compared to 36% of White children.

▪ Having working adults in the household did not ensure financial stability, as 30% of children in households with two employed adults were still below the ALICE Threshold.

▪ Many children below the ALICE Threshold lacked access to essential resources. Over 662,600 children did not participate in SNAP, and nearly 260,900 lacked high-speed internet access.

Help Keep your Home Warm and Safe this Winter with LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills. 

From November 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill. You can receive from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type. The cash grant is a one-time payment and will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill. 

United Way of Pennsylvania thanks you for the generous support that fuels our work and the work with local United Ways across the Commonwealth. Your dedication helps us connect Pennsylvanians to vital resources through PA 211, strengthen financial security for ALICE households, and create brighter futures so all can thrive.

This November, we invite you to support your local United Way, contribute to our work with ALICE individuals, or help connect Pennsylvanians to vital resources through PA 211. Thank you for joining us in building better tomorrow.