Building a stronger Erie County, one child at a time.
Kids in Erie County face unprecedented challenges right now. United Way's community schools are here to help.
Transformative...Causing an important and lasting change. 

United Way Community Schools: Remove nonacademic barriers to learning so ALL children achieve and succeed, transforming their futures. 

Community schools serve kids and families by surrounding them with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. United Way works with partners to remove nonacademic barriers while opening new doors of opportunity. Typically, this work is done in schools. But these are not typical times.

With schools across Erie County closed, our most vulnerable students face even greater challenges like poverty, clothing, hunger, homelessness, untreated health and dental conditions, and even trauma. For three years, we’ve placed caring Community School Directors and supporting staff inside schools, schools right in your backyard, to help our kids and their families overcome roadblocks and achieve success.

Now in this time of crisis, we are taking our work outside school walls...and beyond. 

Community school directors are connecting families to basic needs and food, providing household supplies, connecting kids with online classrooms, and using technology to maintain strong one-on-one relationships we know will transform the lives of students and their families.

We’re going wherever we’re needed and doing whatever it takes to help kids succeed in school and life. Read more about the ways United Way community schools are making a difference.
By the numbers: May 2020
The below information is cumulative for United Way's ten community schools throughout Erie County.

Number of donated items received:  4,789
Value of in-kind donations:  $61,363.46
Elk Valley Elementary:
United Way, in partnership with the Girard School District are thrilled to formally announce that two corporate partners have joined the community school partnership at Elk Valley Elementary.

Bonnell's Auto Group and Matrix Tool signed on to be corporate partners earlier this year and while United Way and Girard School District intended on a public announcement, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an in-person gathering was not possible. Both corporate partners have already stepped up in a big way donating toward food distribution efforts for families at EVES.

Corporate Partners are vital to the work of community schools because they provide financial support. Many corporate partners also support their school's’ specific needs through volunteer engagement efforts, professional development and in-kind resources.
Harding Elementary:
At Harding Elementary, a United Way community school, Stay at Home Kits were assembled and delivered to families thanks to a $1,000 Donors Choose grant awarded to teacher Ann Trask.

The best part was that Ann was able to work with Community School Director, Shanna Schumacher to enhance the available items in the Kits. Shanna and Ann worked to receive the bags from the school's Lead Partner, YMCA of Greater Erie and books from the Achievement Center and United Way's Imagination Library and stress balls from System of Care Erie. Shanna, Ann and other Harding staff gather to assemble and then deliver bags to more than 25 families!
Diehl:

Families at Diehl Elementary School will be enjoying freshly baked Majestic Baking Company bread thanks to recent support from American Tinning & Galvanizing , one of the school's corporate partners through United Way's community school model.

Making this partnership possible was David Bertges, American Tinning & Galvanizing Financial & HR Manager who brought the idea to Karen Donnelly, Community School Director, and the Diehl Leadership Team. Families in need have been receiving food through planned Erie's Public Schools meal distribution which was enhanced with the inclusion of freshly baked bread! David also worked with additional nonprofits including Sarah Reed's Children Center to provide left over bread!
Strong Vincent:

Jr. Chef Club has been a student-favorite Strong Vincent Middle School after-school program offered through United Way's community schools partnership this school year. Unfortunately the program discontinued when schools closed due to COVID-19.

After polling SVMS students about after-school programming that could be offered virtually, it was voted that the very popular Jr. Chef could continue! Community School Coordinator Kaitlyn Falk worked with Community School Director Katrina Byrd and Principal Andrea Gloystein to get the program online.

During the remainder of the school year, Kaitlyn shared a weekly recipe with the group of students, who then meet with her virtually to make the recipe all together! And, even better...Kaitlyn and Katrina even delivered ingredients to families in need!
McKinley:

Annually, United Way's Young Leaders Society adopts the fifth grade class at McKinley Elementary, a United Way community school. Engagement between the class and Young Leaders includes polo and sweatshirt delivery, career exploration visits and field trips. This year looked a bit different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the connections with fifth graders continued!

United Way Young Leaders purchased bags for each graduating Mariner that were picked up with their belongings. The bags included items to remember their time at McKinley. School staff also worked with Dotigan Clothing Co. on the development of custom t-shirts sponsored by YLS that were included in the bags!
Pfeiffer-Burleigh:

At Pfeiffer-Burleigh, a United Way community school, recognizing the major accomplishment of completing 100% of online assignments made all the difference in encouraging students and families facing the difficult task of learning online.

Community School Director, Meghan Easter, made stops to the homes of all students completing their school work virtually and even brought along the PB Panther Mascot and other representatives from PB!
There is SO much transformational work happening through the community schools model in our community. Check out how United Way's community schools are helping beyond school walls. Read more on our BLOG >>
Please be on the lookout for an upcoming email later this summer on how you can join us to support student success in Erie County by becoming a Booster.
COMING SOON! Your opportunity to be a champion of students in Erie County through Community School Boosters!

What is a BOOSTER?
  • An enthusiastic supporter of children in Erie County excelling in school, achieving academic success and being excited to learn.
  • Believes that all children deserve the opportunity to thrive and pursue their dreams through education.
  • Through support, removes barriers to learning that economically disadvantaged children face, supporting success in school…and life.