Many children in the Wyoming Valley return to empty homes every day. Thanks to the SHINE After School Program of Luzerne County at Wilkes University and the McGlynn Center, funded by United Way, we can provide safe, enriching spaces for them to learn and grow. With your support, we can ensure every child feels supported and connected, transforming those after-school hours into opportunities for success.

For many students in the Wyoming Valley, financial struggles put higher education out of reach. Your donation to United Way can support programs like the Catholic Youth Center’s Preschool Readiness and School-Age Development Programs and the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA Early Childhood Education Program.

By funding scholarships, mentorships, and essential resources, we can open doors to opportunity.

Fear and uncertainty hold too many people back—whether from unstable housing, unsafe environments, abuse, neglect or lack of support. Your donation to United Way helps fund the Crisis Counseling Program at the Domestic Violence Service Center, providing a 24-hour hotline for those affected by domestic violence.

Additionally, United Way supports the Victims Resource Center’s (VRC) Preventing Child Abuse Program to educate children in Pre-K through 2^nd grade about personal safety and Family Service Association’s 2-1-1 help line, a comprehensive health and human service information and referral program.

Frequent moves disrupt learning and stability for too many children. Your donation to United Way helps fund the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Emergency Temporary Housing Program, which connects at-risk families with essential services like emergency shelter and eviction prevention.

Additionally, Volunteers of America’s Ruth’s Place and Catholic Social Services Mother Teresa’s Haven provide critical emergency shelter and support services for those experiencing homelessness in our community.

Many children take on adult responsibilities, missing out on the joys of childhood. Your donation to United Way helps fund programs like the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA’s Power Scholars Academy, a six-week summer learning initiative that combines math and reading instruction with engaging STEM activities. This program will support at least 55 scholars, allowing kids the freedom to learn, grow, and just be kids.

We are also proud to partner with Child Development Council of NEPA. – Their Child Care and Early Learning Program provides high-quality childcare services for children ages 6 weeks to 12 at multiple locations throughout the Wyoming Valley. With a STAR 3 designation from the Keystone STARS program, funding will support tuition scholarships for income-eligible families, ensuring access to quality early learning experiences.

Hunger affects far too many children and families in the Wyoming Valley. United Way of Wyoming Valley serves as the convener of the Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board, which allocates funding to organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity. Chaired by Kendra Vough, this board includes representatives from Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) and more, ensuring a collaborative approach to address hunger in our community. Your gift to United Way helps provide meals and resources, ensuring no one goes to bed hungry.

Clean clothes are more than just fabric—they provide dignity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. For children living in poverty, limited access to clean clothes, hygiene products, or school-approved attire can lead to bullying, missed school days, and a lack of confidence.

Through programs like Loads of Love and The Nurse’s Pantry, the United Way of Wyoming Valley is removing these barriers. Loads of Love operates in 15 school buildings and provides onsite laundry facilities, while The Nurse’s Pantry offers clothing, toiletries, and wellness products within schools. These initiatives ensure that every student has what they need to attend school, succeed, and thrive.

Your donation helps us purchase washers, dryers, and essential supplies, empowering children and families to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn. Together, we can meet these basic needs, restore hope, and build a brighter future.

Literacy is a vital skill that opens doors to opportunities. When parents read to their young children, it fosters a love of books that builds strong reading skills. Through our Literacy Kit Project and Reading Buddies program, we’re dedicated to ensuring every child in the Wyoming Valley has the chance to succeed.

Last year, 984 Literacy Kits were distributed to children ages 3-5, encouraging families to read together and helping children prepare for kindergarten. These kits create joyful reading moments, building a foundation for lifelong learning.

Meanwhile, our Reading Buddies program connects at-risk first-grade students with volunteer mentors, providing personalized attention and access to free books. Many children living in poverty lack literacy-rich environments, and these one-on-one connections help young learners explore the world of reading in meaningful ways.

Learning the alphabet is a foundational step to literacy and confidence. Every year, the United Way of Wyoming Valley collects children’s books to promote and improve grade-level reading and early school success throughout our area. Your donation supports early childhood education and literacy programs, giving every child the tools they need to succeed.

We are proud to partner with organizations like the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association (WVCA) to enhance our impact on early education:

• Together We Grow Preschool Program at WVCA offers a unique blend of quality early education and intervention services for both typically developing children and those with developmental disabilities.

Visual impairments can hinder a child’s ability to learn and engage in the classroom. With your support, United Way’s See to Succeed program provides essential vision screenings and assistive technology, ensuring every child has the resources they need to thrive. To date, See to Succeed has put eyeglasses on 943 children. Together, we can create a community where all children can see their potential and achieve their dreams.

Access to books can ignite a love for reading and learning. Unfortunately, many children lack this essential resource, with 61% of low-income children growing up in homes without books. That’s why the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is so important—it provides new, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five in the Wyoming Valley, free of charge and regardless of household income. Investing in early literacy during these crucial years enhances brain development and prepares children for school.

In addition, the Annual Children’s Book Drive allows the United Way of Wyoming Valley to collect children’s books to promote and improve grade-level reading and early school success throughout our area.

Your donation helps foster a brighter future for our community’s children, creating homes filled with stories and possibilities.

Every child deserves a mentor who encourages them to reach for their dreams. The Luzerne County Rapid Re-Housing for Young Adults program at Valley Youth House provides supportive housing for young adults ages 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness. This program emphasizes developing the hard and soft life skills necessary for living as healthy, self-sufficient, and productive adults, recognizing that many of these youth have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.

Your donation to United Way helps empower our youth, fostering confidence and resilience to believe in themselves and achieve greatness.