United Way of the Capital Region Blog

Addressing Emerging Needs in Our Community

Most people know that United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) funds more than 80 programs and services through our Community Improvement (or general) Fund. But did you know that UWCR also funds other programs in the Capital Region that address new, emerging, or critical needs in our community? We do this through our Community Response Fund.

Each year, UWCR’s Board of Directors sets aside money to fund programs that address specifically identified needs in the community. Community Response Fund grants are open to any non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that serves the residents of Eastern Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties that needs funding for programs that address one of UWCR’s identified priorities. We identify priority issues by conducting research and soliciting input from experts in our community who work with us through our Focus Care Councils. 

We just completed our Community Response Fund process for 2012/2013 and 11 programs were selected that address our identified priorities of basic needs and access to health care. UWCR will distribute a total of $200,000 to the following programs:

UWCR Offers Adolescent Mental Health Workshops

All children and adolescents have difficult days, but sometimes these days stretch into weeks, months or even years. These problems may not just be “growing pains,” but signs of mental health issues.

Studies now show that approximately 20 percent of adolescents have a diagnosable mental health disorder. We may never know if more children are affected now as opposed to 20 or 30 years ago, or if improved diagnostic practices have helped us to identify disorders earlier. We do know that around one in five children is affected by some sort of diagnosable mental health disorder and that for every affected child affected there is a parent, family, or caregiver who is impacted as well.

Getting treatment is essential and early intervention works best. It’s important to remember that treatment and recovery take time. If you suspect your child may need mental health treatment, please don’t hesitate to seek help. There are a variety of service providers in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties who are available to help, including some who offer services on a sliding fee scale. 

Program Provides Free Tax Prep for Low- to Moderate-Income Families

Many of us continue to feel the impact of our troubled economy. Tax time can provide an opportunity for many working families to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Millions of dollars in tax credits go unclaimed each year, a fact we’re working very hard to change.

During the week of January 30, the Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) campaign will be opening multiple sites throughout Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties to provide free income tax preparation for low- to moderate-income families. The sites are staffed by trained, certified volunteers who will prepare and electronically file taxes for area families.

This is the tenth year that MIYP will be operating free tax sites for qualified families. We are committed to helping as many families as we can, and this requires that we keep expanding to meet the ever growing demand.

Pennsylvania Budget Cuts Dampen Holidays for Many

For me, Gov. Tom Corbett set the moral tone for the last budget process by stating that providing a helping hand to those in need was a “core function of government.” But I also remember the term “waste, fraud and abuse” being used as a rallying cry by those who felt significant reductions could be made in state funding without compromising services to people in need and the charitable organizations that provide those services.

In central Pennsylvania, state funding cuts are having a detrimental impact on the ability of local non-profits to serve people. For example, The Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties is projecting a $650,000 deficit this year because reimbursement rates from the state have been reduced. This is in addition to a similar-size loss the agency experienced last year.

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg faces an analogous situation. It will receive more than $100,000 less this year as a result of cuts in state funding. This means the YWCA will serve 120 fewer individuals who are unemployed or underemployed or in need of child care.

Fatherhood: The Missing Link

United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) has created the Fatherhood Academy and the Tri-County Fatherhood Coalition to help local fathers form strong bonds with their children.

The issue of absent, non-engaged fathers, is a national concern, most recently addressed by President Baraka Obama.  The role of a parent is critical to the development of a healthy, well-rounded child. Being a parent is a difficult job, made even more challenging when one half of the equation is missing. The Fatherhood Academy is held every Monday evening from 6:30 8:00 at the United Methodist Neighborhood Center, 3^rd and Kelker Streets, Harrisburg, PA. The classes are free and open to all men. The Firm Foundation, Hamilton Health Center and the Community Action Center also have free Fatherhood classes, and participate in the Tri-County Fatherhood Coalition.

The Fatherhood Academy uses two curriculums, which are designed to educate and inspire the men in attendance. The first curriculum was developed by a Shippensburg University Graduate student, in the School of Social Work, who was interning for UWCR. The student introduced the concept to her graduate class, who then took it upon themselves to research the most effective fatherhood programs in the country. The second curriculum called “Knights of the 21^st Century,” which was developed by the founder of Pennsylvania Counseling Inc. The DVD based curriculum covers 26 weeks of excellent instruction for fathers, and is well received by the participants of the Fatherhood Academy.

Any father who wishes to be a part of the Fatherhood Academy can attend one of the Monday night sessions, without pre-registration. For more information, visit, www.tricofatherhood.net, or contact Nathaniel Gadsden, at 732.0700.    

Prosperity Centers Help Families In Tough Times

Helping families weather tough times is at the heart of United Way of the Capital Region’s (UWCR) work in our community. UWCR has long supported critical services to help families deal with the unexpected - be it a natural disaster, a child with special needs, or a physical disability. Beyond dealing with a crisis, we also want families to have the skills and tools they need to be self-sufficient.

UWCR has launched Prosperity Centers as one of the ways to help families be economically self-sufficient. The purpose of the centers is to empower individuals and families in the Capital Region to be financially prosperous. The centers provide a service in the community by building on the three pillars of financial stability - financial literacy, access to mainstream benefits and case management. The centers assist individuals and families to plan, manage and improve their financial resources. Trained volunteers help families learn to budget, plan and manage their money, build their assets, reduce their debt, and gain financial stability. Assistance at the Prosperity Centers is not based on income level. Everyone is welcome. All services are free and confidential.

Prosperity Centers offer people the opportunity to think about their money in new ways and build for a stronger financial future. With a little support and guidance, achieving a more prosperous future can be a reality.   

Helping Families Become Financially Stable

Strong and financially self-sufficient families are critical to building a successful community. Here at United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR), we understand that more and more families are struggling to make ends meet and need the assistance of local agencies. 

No family sets out to live on the charity of its community, but this is a growing concern in our region. The cost of living in the Capital Region is outpacing wages.  The 2010 Self-sufficiency Wage for Dauphin and Cumberland counties was about $55,000 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children under 5 years old) (Pathways PA).  Yet, the Dauphin County median household income in 2009 was $48,792.  What does this mean? It means thousands of people in the Capital Region are under-employed and unable to obtain sufficient income to maintain a home.

Here is breakdown of the unemployment and under-employment statistics in our area:

Dauphin County
Unemployment: May 2010 = 8.3%; May 2011 = 7.2%
Under-employment:  May 2011 approx. 18%

Cumberland County
Unemployment: May 2010 = 7.2%; May 2011 = 6.4%
Under-employment:  May 2011 approx. 16%

Perry County
Unemployment: May 2010 = 8.2%; May 2011 = 7.2%
Under-employment:  May 2011 approx. 18%

United Way Responds to Flood of 2011

It’s a privilege to be author the first blog that we’ll be developing here at UWCR. I wish it was under more pleasant circumstances. Today I want to talk about our response to the flood that has been ravaging our community.

Although it appears the Susquehanna River will crest below the level some were predicting, the flood we are experiencing is still causing significant problems throughout the Capital Region. Here at UWCR, we believe we should do everything we can to help our friends and neighbors in what for many will be a life altering experience. With that in mind we have decided to establish The Capital Region Flood Recovery Fund.

In catastrophic situations like the one we’re currently facing, we know budgets can be quickly depleted as agencies attempt to accommodate the sudden increase in requests for services. The Capital Region Flood Recovery Fund will allow people to make one gift and have that gift directed to agencies who need it most. Our Community Response Fund Committee will help us screen and select worthy candidates.

We will not charge administrative fees on donations to the fund, so 100 percent of a person’s gift will be distributed to agencies who are responding to this crisis. The United Way Board of Directors has decided to make a contribution of $25,000 as the initial gift to the fund. We will also make sure all funds received will be distributed in a timely fashion.

To contribute to the fund, send a check made payable to “Capital Region Flood Recovery Fund” to United Way of the Capital Region, 2235 Millennium Way, Enola, PA 17025. You can also Make an Online Payment/Gift on our web site. Please be sure to view the directions on how to make an online payment.

In addition to the fund, our United Way is helping in other ways. We have developed a “Where to Turn for Flood Help” Guide that is now available on our web site, or by calling us at 732.0700. The Guide will be continuously updated as the need for more and different services becomes apparent.