October 5, 2023

United Way of Pennsylvania

Julie Kennedy's Remarkable PA 211 Story

On September 14th, United Way of Lancaster County’s Associate Director of Community Initiatives, Julie Kennedy (far left), joined senior staff from United Way Worldwide in Washington, D.C., where they facilitated a Congressional Staff luncheon. One hundred participants received critical education about 211 services and discussion around the bipartisan HELP Act (HR 3498 / S1798). In prior months, both 988 and 911 received additional funding from the current administration, which the group applauded but collectively agreed that the 24-hour, 365 day-per-year 211 information and referral service deserves the same consideration. 211 is the number that can ultimately prevent neighbors from having to call 988 or 911. Resource Navigators are informed, empathetic, and fully trained to quickly respond to the escalating needs of the community.

Kennedy’s 211 story is special because she utilized the service before she herself became a 211 Resource Navigator and eventual Associate Director. She states, “I have the invaluable understanding of how it feels to pick up the phone when everything feels hopeless. I was told in rehab that I had to let go of all people, places, and things from my past life. Those parts of my life were false fortitudes of support. No one from my past life cared about my outcomes or my wellbeing.”

When she spoke to a Resource Navigator at 211, she was met with “warmth and compassion”. Kennedy initially called 211 for assistance after completing drug & alcohol rehabilitation at Caron in Wernersville PA. Once she was back in her hometown of Lancaster, PA, she found herself in need of resources to support her recovery. She also needed to find a way to fulfill 200 hours of community service she had accumulated in active addiction. Upon mentioning to the call specialist that she had spent over a decade working in contact centers, she was told that United Way of Lancaster County’s VITA tax service needed individuals to take calls and make tax appointments for community members.

Months after completing her hours with United Way of Lancaster County, Kennedy noticed a job posting for 211. She applied for the position and was hired by the organization in the beginning of 2018. Initially taking the role of Resource Specialist, she was promoted several times to her role today as the Associate Director of Community Initiatives. She credits 211 and the United Way staff for believing in her when she needed it the most. Being able to share her story at the Congressional Luncheon last week, and bringing attention to the service that initiated transformation in her life, created a full circle moment that was celebrated by all in attendance.

UWP's Public Policy Update

On Saturday, September 31^st, 2023, Congress passed a short-term funding bill, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. After weeks of budgetary disagreements, the House of Representatives successfully negotiated a temporary compromise and passed a funding measure with bipartisan support, sending the bill to the Senate, which also approved the measure. President Biden signed the bill Saturday evening, formally circumventing the once looming shutdown and extending funding until November 17^th, 2023, when the stopgap measure is set to expire.

The current legislation ensures that many vital programs, such as Head Start, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Women Infants and Children (WIC), among others, have federal funding to continue their work until a final budgetary agreement can be made.

United Way Worldwide and United Way of Pennsylvania will continue to follow this issue closely and will provide updates in future newsletters.