LETTER: United Way grateful for community support

United Way grateful for community support
The United Way of Washington County sincerely appreciated the Observer-Reporter bringing to light the results of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report conducted by the United Way of Pennsylvania on its editorial page June 23. The report shows that 27% of the families in Washington County are “doing all the things they are supposed to be doing” but still are barely above the poverty level, which, in turn, places them in the category of ALICE Families.
The United Way of Washington County recognizes the needs of ALICE Families as well as the 9% of families in the county that are at or below the poverty level. Thanks to our Workplace Giving Campaign Partners and Individual Donors’ support, we are able to provide funding through our Community Impact Grants for 30 programs focusing on health, education and financial stability at a variety of local human service agencies. In Fiscal Year 2018-19, $267,481 was granted to programs that directly benefit those in need in our community.
We anticipate gaining further understanding of the needs in Washington County as one of our partner agencies, Blueprints, conducts its Community Assessment, which will also produce data that demonstrates the necessity of community impact funding.
We thank and recognize those individuals who continue to support our local effort. We welcome O-R readers to learn more about the United Way of Washington County and its impact on our community by visiting http://unitedwaywashco.org.
P. Ann Hrabik
Executive Director, United Way of Washington County