United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Having a healthy community fosters individual and public growth in addition to benefiting the local economy. When members of any given locale struggle with poverty, especially intergenerationally, it's difficult for people to persevere and prosper. That's where United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey comes in. This organization's mission is simple and effective- "we fight poverty"-which they do quite well.

Keep reading if you want to learn how you can join in and assist United Way around Center City Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware County!

About Their Cause

More than 705,000 people are burdened with poverty in just our region alone. Research suggests that it's much more likely for a child to succeed if their caregivers or parents are successful. This is why United Way adopted a two-generation approach when it comes to battling poverty.

Their strategy intensely focuses on three areas, which are early learning, opportunity, employment and entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. It takes years of work to make an impact on local, let alone national poverty. That's where you and nonprofit partners team up to offer educational and relief services.

Together, United Way hopes to ensure that 90% of children will read on grade level by the fourth grade and help 300,000 individuals live 200% above the federal poverty line. They also want to reconnect 50,000 adolescents and young adults with their schooling or workforce and prevent an additional 300,000 people from falling into poverty.

Impact Fund

The Impact Fund is an integral component in United Way's two-generation method to relieving poverty that's backed by a network of volunteers, nonprofits, and grants. Among a multitude of other things, the fundraising allows the organization to raise money for their cause at a low cost, advocate for public policy, and leverage funding opportunities. Additionally, United Way organizes and mobilizes more than 10,000 volunteers every year.

A critical part of their partnerships with local nonprofits is the Impact Grant. These donations give their Impact Partners the opportunity to push early economic self-sufficiency, community stability and advocacy, and early learning programs. From basic health needs to education, the goal is to stimulate and further develop successful, financially stable people.

Signature Programs

United Way is committed to stronger Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey communities, and has several signature programs which are key pillars to aid in the fight against poverty. These programs include United2Learn, which is an early grade literacy program, and a dedicated job network titled United2Connect. The United2Thrive program works with families to build personal wealth, from college savings to small business and first house funds. United2Support is a support network that has its own three-digit hotline and hunger prevention force.

Discover How You Can Assist United Way

We hope that you're excited to help United Way benefit the Center City Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware County areas after reading all about their organization. With your aid in combination with their robust programming and Impact Fund, they'll be able to continue providing substantial poverty relief in underprivileged communities.

 

Be sure to check out their Facebook page to read through some of the responses from their most recent volunteer events and learn more about United Way.