By THE UNITED WAY OF THE SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES
United Way of the Southern Alleghenies announced annual Partner Agency allocations during the organization's yearly meeting on Wednesday.
Allocations to 28 partners, along with grants and other funding gained to support work in the community, totaled $912,147. United Way continues to focus on early childhood education and development, but many other programs serve community members who need help with food, shelter, utilities, and mental health, among other concerns. Programs, including the PA 211 call center, remain a critical asset to serve families struggling to make ends meet, what United Way calls ALICE families, which stands for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed.
"United, we have the ability to create change," President & CEO Karen Struble Myers said to the group of about 60 people who met in Downtown Johnstown.
United Way staff members provided updates, as well. Family Resource Center Director Denise Adams, Healthy Blair County Coalition Director Billie Kochara, and Blair County Community Relationship Coordinator Imani Vaughn reviewed progress from their work in Blair County. The Family Resource Center is celebrating 30 years in 2025. Early Childhood Systems Coordinator Lauren Lazzari gave an update from her educational visits around Cambria and Somerset Counties. She teaches children about dental health, literacy, and other topics. She has a robust program, Talking is Teaching, that offers free books and resources to help children and families. The program is part of the Too Small To Fail Initiative, which has provided unique outreach opportunities to encourage families to talk, sing, and read with their babies. Her role is made possible by a partnership with Vision Together, Center for Population Health, 1889 Foundation, Lee Initiatives, and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
Community Relationship & Marketing Manager Rick Kazmer talked about United Way's brand update. In addition to an updated logo, United Way has a new mantra, "United is the Way." The saying replaces the popular "Live United" slogan.
"It's close enough to 'Live United' that it keeps us grounded in our past and the core work that we all have rallied behind for so long. But the end is open-ended enough to allow us to grow," Kazmer said. "United is the Way to making sure every family has an opportunity for success," he added, as an example.
Struble Myers noted that the organization, founded in 1930 during The Great Depression, is nearing a 100-year anniversary. One of the guiding principles from the original charter was to "strengthen the spirit of human helpfulness," she said.
While nearly a century old, she added that it's still a relevant message to recall as we rise to meet current challenges.
There are "unprecedented changes," she said. "We do our best to predict what the future will look like to be in service to others."
To conclude the meeting, United Way recognized outgoing board members, including: Laura Burke, Blair County Commissioner; Donna Carter, Chief Financial Officer at the Blair County Drug and Alcohol Program, Inc.; Becky Flyte, General Manager at the Daily American; Lindsay Garman, Employee Relocation Coordinator at Sheetz; Sue Griep; Legislative Assistant with State Representative Scott Barger, and Andy Rush, President at UPMC Somerset Hospital.
The organization's Annual Report is available at unitedwaysa.org.