Since its founding in 1921, United Way of Wyoming Valley has always played a key role in funding the social service needs in our community. While much has changed over the past 100 years, today the work of the organization could not be more important or meaningful.
OUR IMPACT
17,600 Children Served • 32 Programs • 20 Agencies • 11 Signature Initiatives
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Poverty to Possibility
UNITED WAY PRIORITY:
Children are prepared to succeed in school and achieve good health. Families obtain financial stability.
3,230
people received access to oral and primary health care.
703
children and youth took part in programming focused on academic achievement.
243
children were prepared for kindergarten.
118
families received home visitation and parenting support services.
Safety Net
UNITED WAY PRIORITY:
Children, families and individuals have access to food, shelter and essential services.
5,211
nights of shelter for the homeless.
664
rides provided to seniors and people with disabilities to remain independent.
363
people who experienced domestic violence or sexual assault received services.
91
individuals avoided eviction.
6,980
community referrals for people in need.
Signature Initiatives
UNITED WAY PRIORITY:
Funding leveraged with partners at the national, state and local level to reduce achievement gaps for low-income children.
29,855
books distributed to Wyoming Valley children to ensure children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
9,425
children engaged in reading programs to improve kindergarten readiness, school attendance, and summer learning opportunities.
3,645
summer learning workshops to support K-2 students during COVID-19.
280
school-based interventions with social worker to improve attendance.
OUR History
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1920s
October 11, 1921
Community Welfare Federation was created by the WB Chamber of Commerce to consolidate all
fundraising appeals into one annual drive to which the entire community would be asked to
support.
November 11, 1922
The first campaign of the Community Welfare Federation is launched in the Wyoming Valley,
raising $258,878.
1929
Stock Market crashes.
1930s
Great Depression impacts employment, fundraising and pledge collections. Need for support increases.
1939
World War II starts.
1940s
1941
The Community Welfare Federation campaign included fundraising for the United Services
Organization (USO) to support members of the Armed Forces and their families. $29,226.37 was
raised for the USO.
December 7, 1941
The US is attacked by the Japanese Empire at Pearl Harbor.
1942
The Community Welfare Federation created the Community War Chest to focus on fundraising and
the Welfare Planning Council to address the human service needs of the Wyoming Valley.
1947
The organization changed its name from the Community Welfare Federation to the Wyoming
Valley Community Chest.
1948
The Labor Participation Department was added as result of organized labor’s commitment to
charitable giving and community service.
1950s
1951
The first “Red Feather” parade was held on October 14th, drawing tens of thousands of
spectators and involving 15 bands, 32 floats and many military vehicles. The purpose was to
draw attention to the start of the community chest campaign.
1956
To better organize area fundraising for local agencies, the Wyoming Valley Community Chest
becomes part of the Wyoming Valley United Fund. Local firms were asked to join the United
Fund and Sordoni Enterprises was the first to do so.
H. Allen Larsen, Executive Director of Wyoming Valley Community Chest, becomes the Executive Director of the Wyoming Valley United Fund.
George Guthrie Conyngham chairs the first United Fund campaign and it exceeds $1 million for the first time.
1959
Nancy Morris of Wyoming Valley Hospital was chosen as the first “Miss United Fund”.
The Wyoming Valley United Fund reorganizes the Welfare Planning Council to strengthen services and improve ways to better meet community needs.
1960s
The United Fund flourishes into a fund raising force in the Wyoming Valley.
1966
A “Loaned Executive” program is initiated.
The Women’s Council is created to support the organization.
1970s
1972
Change to Hurricane Agnes floods Wyoming Valley causing more than$1 billion in damages.
1973
United Fund and Welfare Planning Council become the United Way of Wyoming Valley, combining
fundraising, planning, and allocations under one umbrella.
1978
The campaign, chaired by William Umphred, tops $2 million for the first time.
1980s
1980
First Rose Brader Award in honor of Rosilie Brader, a 30-year employee and labor leader, was
awarded to Gary Van Scoy.
1984
The campaign, chaired by Dr. Wallace Stettler, tops $3 million for the first time.
The Alexis de Tocqueville Society was founded and led by community volunteers Stephen Sordoni and Frank Henry.
1988
The Christmas in July Food Drive was launched to assist the food bank and pantries with food
supplies during the summer months.
1990s
1990
The campaign, chaired by Atty. Murray Ufberg, tops $4 million for the first time.
1991
United Way of Wyoming Valley begins services with individuals with HIV/AIDS with funding
from the PA Department of Health.
1994
The United Way of Wyoming Valley hosts its first annual Day of Caring.
1998
United Way of Wyoming Valley receives the National AFL-CIO Model Cities in Community Service
Award for the outstanding partnership created between the local labor movement and United
Way in jointly addressing and meeting human service needs.
1999
United Way establishes “Success by Six” initiative to help young, at-risk children.
2000s
2000
The campaign, chaired by Terry Casey, tops $5 million.
2001
United Way of Wyoming Valley establishes September 11th Fund and participates in a local
telethon to raise funds for 9/11 victims. Over $220,000 was raised in NEPA.
2002
The Sordoni Foundation provides a $1 million “Challenge Grant” to build the United Way of
Wyoming Valley’s endowment.
2010s
2011
United Way Labor Award renamed Sam Bianco Labor Award in honor of the late Sam Bianco.
2014
United Way of Wyoming Valley adopts a new model of service and focuses on the increasing
percentage of childhood poverty. The organization partners with the Dolly Parton Imagination
Library and launches a number of initiatives to address the health and education of at-risk
children and the financial stability of families.
The organization also remains committed to funding basic and emergency needs.
2020s
As the nation is plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, fundraising is impacted, but need for support increases as unemployment spikes. The education of children is disrupted.
2021
United Way of Wyoming Valley creates the Children’s Success Fund.
CHILDREN'S SUCCESS FUND
In recognition of our Centennial Anniversary, United Way of Wyoming Valley has created the Children’s Success Fund to advance our goals of helping at-risk children and families of our community.
The pandemic has been challenging to all of us, but has been devastating to the one-in-four children in our community who live in poverty and are most at-risk of failure. National studies have affirmed what our local schools have witnessed:
- Students with the fewest resources and academic opportunities are on track to experience the greatest learning loss.
- By the end of June 2021, impoverished and at-risk students could be as much as 12 months behind in their learning.
- Absenteeism is up; kindergarten enrollment down; high school dropout rates are expected to rise.
- More families are experiencing food insecurity; more stress; and more mental health issues.
Contributions earmarked for the Children’s Success Fund will go to initiatives and programs that will enable United Way, in partnership with local school districts, to respond to these needs. In addition, the fund will support and sustain many of the programs already in place and designed to address the education and health of children, and the stability of families. We will respond as we always have – in ways that are both thoughtful and impactful.