By RICK KAZMER
United Way of the Southern Alleghenies
Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties now have a representative on the United Way of Pennsylvania (UWPA) Board of Directors.
United Way of the Southern Alleghenies (UWSA) President & CEO Karen Struble Myers was nominated and elected to a board seat. The nominations happen after a careful process, judging candidates from across the state. Professional credentials, life experiences, and relationship networks are all considered when board members are nominated.
UWPA connects local United Ways, providing resources as they work to meet priority community needs. The state organization also serves as a voice for local United Ways regarding state policy issues that relate to community impact work in education, income and health. UWPA is also a significant supporter of PA 211, a resource that connects Pennsylvanians to health and human services information at no cost to them and administers the state set-aside funds from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
The election of a local representative is a boon for UWSA's work in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties, helping the organization to leverage more statewide knowledge and resources. UWSA plans to help more than 75,000 people in those three counties in the coming year through core work of parental engagement, early childhood development, and youth drug and alcohol prevention. The organization also helps families through immediate needs programs, including home heating assistance, food security programs, shelters, and warm coats for kids. What's more, the UWSA Diaper Bank, already providing 7,000 diapers a month to families in Cambria/Somerset, is set to expand into Blair County.
“Being elected to United Way of Pennsylvania’s board of directors is a tremendous opportunity to enrich our work with those who are ALICE, Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed. UWPA is a leader in advocacy for those who are on the benefits cliff and helps to shape policies to support millions of hard-working people who struggle to make ends meet," Struble Myers said.
Other nominated board members include:
- Angelita Ferrito — President of Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Beck Moore — CEO for Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
- Gayle Young — Executive Director for United Way of Lawrence
- Joan Smith-Reese — Executive Director for Bradford County United Way
- Mai Miksic — Managing Director of Early Learning and Education for United Way of Greater Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey
- Tim Fatzinger — President and CEO for United Way of the Capitol Region