A Busy Summer For United Way Means Positive Impact For Local Communities.
United Way announces organizations and programs that will receive awards for 2024.
Susquehanna Valley United Valley (SVUW) has made significant strides this summer. Strategic planning, annual allocations, and collaborative meetings with partners have positioned them to deliver increased support and resources to our community.
In June, six program directors and 13 community board members convened for a strategic planning retreat to reinforce the company's core mission and vision for the future.
"Strategic planning and visioning are vital to the health of every organization," said Adrienne Mael, President/CEO of Susquehanna Valley United Way. "We are excited to look to the future so we can continue to be responsive to needs in our local communities. This retreat is a first step, and we look forward to collaborating with partners and community members for their valuable guidance and feedback as we tackle our community's biggest challenges together."
Nonprofit leaders representing 26 of the 56 SVUW Funded Partner agencies also met in late June at the Shiloh United Church of Christ in Danville. SVUW staff shared updates on the annual campaign and allocation process, highlighted several marketing and behavioral/mental health training opportunities, and ended the meeting with agency roundtable discussions. This provided networking and feedback, which United Way will use in future planning.
"At our summer meeting, the partner organizations were excited for the opportunity to be together," said Christine Orlando, Director of Community Impact. "We have heard from our partners that providing space for camaraderie, support, and collaboration is invaluable to them, and we have facilitated and seen first-hand the positive impacts these collaborations have on our community."
In early July, Susquehanna Valley United Way announced the organizations and programs that will receive awards for the coming fiscal year. In total, 56 partners and other nonprofits will receive $290,000 in funding.
These funded partners include: A & B Children's Theatre, AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community, American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter, Avenues of PA, Beyond Violence, Big Brothers Big Sisters NEPA, Bloomsburg Area YMCA, Bloomsburg Children's Museum, Bloomsburg Public Library, Bloomsburg Salvation Army Service Center, Boy Scouts of America - Columbia-Montour Council & Susquehanna Council, By Grace Women's Transitional Home, Camp Victory, Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc., Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Columbia Child Development Program, Columbia County Traveling Library, Concerned Citizens for Childcare, Inc., Danville Area Community Center, Danville Child Development Center, Degenstein Community Library, Donald Heiter Community Center, Eos Therapeutic Riding Center, Gate House Shelter, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, Girls on the Run Mid-State PA, Golden Rule Love Inc, Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA, Lewisburg Children's Museum, Meals on Wheels, Selinsgrove Area, Milton Public Library, Montgomery House Warrior Run Area Public Library, Montour County 4-H, Mount Carmel Area Community Center, Mount Carmel Area Education Foundation (Kaupas Camp Program), Mount Carmel Area Public Library, Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center, Northern Montour Recreation Assoc Exchange Swimming Pool, Orangeville Public Library, Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library, Ronald McDonald House of Danville, Selinsgrove Regional Engagement Center (REC), Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library, Snyder County Library System, SUMMIT Early Learning, Inc., SUNCOM Industries, Inc. , Susquehanna Valley CASA, Susquehanna Valley Mediation, The ARC Susquehanna Valley, The Improved Milton Experience (TIME), The Women's Center, Thomas Beaver Free Library, Union County Library System, Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, Western Union County Youth Center.
Funding decisions are made by a committee of community members from different sectors across Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. These funds provide residents with food security, access to childcare and early education, summer and afterschool programs, workforce development, and other vital services, which are all core to United Way's mission of creating vibrant communities where all can thrive.
This year, six volunteers and three United Way program directors reviewed 53 applications. Then, met to make funding decisions, which the board approves before funding is released in July. Allocation volunteers included representatives from Bucknell University, Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc., Commonwealth University of Bloomsburg, Journey Bank, and SEKISUI KYDEX.
"The allocation of United Way donations is important because we are able to take the funds entrusted to us by the generous contributions from our communities and businesses and distribute them back into the community to best meet the needs of our citizens," said Eric Rowe, Allocation Committee Chair for the Susquehanna Valley United Way.
"There is always a greater need in the community than funds available, but through the due diligence of our allocation process, we hope to demonstrate to our donors that we are making the most effective use of their precious dollars to improve the lives of people here in the Susquehanna Valley United Way footprint."
For more information on the programs and services United Way supports, please visit svuw.org.
Media Contact:
Danielle M. Velkoff
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
e: marketing@svuw.org | t: (570) 360-5009
