Special Initiatives
As part of its work to help the residents of Chester County enhance their lives, United Way of Chester County undertakes a number of strategic initiatives and community partnerships that pull together strategic resources to bring about improvements in the community. Meaningful, sustainable changes require a comprehensive approach including clearly identifying pressing community issues, establishing priorities, creating partnerships, developing change strategies, and activating needed resources.
UWCC First Call for Help
UWCC listens, learns about issues and directs people in need to the right resources. Each year hundreds of people receive information and referral services that address the problems they are facing through “First Call for Help.”
UWCC Financial Stability Partnership
UWCC ignited and leads this public-private partnership to build financial self-sufficiency. More than 20 partners from government, non-profit, financial institutions and businesses are dedicated to maintaining a cohesive and comprehensive network of services to support and grow financially stable individuals and families in Chester County.
Share The Warmth
UWCC engages Good Works and Good Neighbors to winterize and repair homes for families living in deteriorating housing conditions. This program provides long term capital improvements as a means to reduce home fuel costs and most importantly keeps families in their homes. Nearly 300 families have benefitted to date.
Decades to Doorways
WCC works with the Chester County Department of Community Development and multiple other community organizations on a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Chester County. The leadership is committed to promoting federal, state and community non-profits programs that ensure best practices for the issues that lead to homelessness.
Center for Healthy Schools
UWCC supports West Chester University’s College of Health Sciences collaboration with local schools to improve youth health and academic achievement of children and adolescents through the coordinated infrastructure of school, community and family involvement.
Road MAPP to Health
UWCC participates in identifying health trends and issues for targeted investment with this community collaboration led by the Chester County Health Department and the Chester County Hospital. The first phase of the work is to do a community health assessment for Chester County and then to develop and implement an action plan to address the issues/needs that are identified.
Coatesville Youth Initiative
UWCC supports the development of the Brandywine Health Foundation’s consortium ensuring healthy, safe out of school time activities and opportunities for at-risk youth to reach their full potential. The coalition focuses its work on increasing parental engagement, providing youth with additional mentoring relationships and leadership opportunities, making the pathway to post secondary education and entry into workforce more accessible and facilitating better program coordination across youth serving services in greater Coatesville.
Activate Chester County
UWCC takes a leadership role with the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley to expand this county-wide movement promoting healthy lifestyles and attacking the obesity rate in Chester County. This community wide endeavor includes a wide range of organizations from hospitals to the County Health Department.
Days of Caring
UWCC links corporate and civic volunteers with valuable community service projects. These projects help non profit organizations offset costs that can then be directed to program services.
UWCC leads a partnership with West Chester University and the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry to provide a comprehensive training program educating and preparing talented board leadership for stronger nonprofits and a safe, vibrant community of caring. Monthly sessions begin in October and end in early May. UWCC facilitates the placement of graduates on non profit Boards and other venues.
