United Way of Chautauqua County

Happy National Employee Appreciation Day! Here at United Way of Chautauqua County, we couldn’t let today pass by without expressing our appreciation for the UWCHQ team! Every day, they bring passion, dedication and innovation to the work of building a stronger, more connected community. Whether mobilizing resources, strengthening partnerships or driving community impact, their commitment to the UWCHQ mission makes a real difference. Today, we celebrate and thank our incredible staff for all they do to advance the work of United Way and create lasting change in Chautauqua County. We are #StrongerTogether because of you! #UnitedWay #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #LiveUnited #CHQ #Chautauqua #CHQ2025 #ChooseCHQ #LiveCHQ #UnitedIsTheWay #UWCHQ

Click through for the most recent newsletter from your United Way -- detailing the allocations process which is now underway as well as volunteer opportunities, Central Ave CoWork, WNY Girls In Sports and more! ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ https://conta.cc/4kuggqA

UWCHQ’s Community Relations Coordinator Daniel Siracuse represented United Way yesterday at Jamestown Community College’s Career Fest — talking about internship opportunities as well as the Jamestown Young Professionals! United Way recognizes the power of internships in developing future leaders and strengthening community impact, actively engaging interns in meaningful work across such fields as marketing, community impact social work, business administration, finance in and vital programs such as VITA, where extra hands help drive real change. ?????? ???? ?????????????? ???? ???????????? ?????? United Way of Chautauqua County and Jamestown Young Professionals are cultivating the next generation of leaders who believe strongly in giving back to their community. #UnitedWay #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #Charitable #CharitableGiving #LiveUnited #CHQ #Chautauqua #CHQ2025 #ChooseCHQ #LiveCHQ #JYP #YoungProfessionals #NonprofitInternships #UnitedIsTheWay Jamestown Community College SUNY JCC Career Services #SUNYJCC #JCC #Jamestown #JamestownNY #JTNY #JamestownCommunityCollege #JamestownYoungProfessionals

Register now to read to children in Northern Chautauqua County school districts as part of United Way’s annual LITERACY WEEK! Use this link: https://lnkd.in/ebGRCFF6 ???????????????? ??????k March 31st - April 4th Each year, volunteers from local businesses, local government and community agencies partner with United Way and the CHQ Professionals Group to highlight the importance of literacy at a young age! For this event, we will need volunteers to read to children in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade at several local schools. Each child received a new book to take home, and more than 700 books were distributed to encourage reading at home. The 2024 book sponsors were Lake Shore Savings Bank, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, DFT Communications, and the Ag Team. ???????????????????? ???? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ????????!? Sign up as a sponsor by texting “readchqsponsor” to 41444 or register to volunteer by texting “readchq” to 41444. For more information, contact United Way Community Relations Coordinator Daniel Siracuse by calling (716) 366-5424 or by emailing [email protected]

United Way Worldwide CEO Angela F. Williams has been named?as one of USA TODAY’s 2025 Women of the Year, an honor recognizing women who have made a profound impact in their communities. Click through to read USA Today's profile and interview with Williams, which concludes with this quote: “Mobilizing the caring power of people and serving communities – that is an awesome responsibility,” Williams said. Here in Chautauqua County, the mission of UWCHQ is "to mobilize the community to help every person and family improve their lives." We are proud to be making an impact in Chautauqua County and are proud to be a part of the greater United Way Worldwide network. In her role as CEO of UWW, Williams is leading the charge in reimagining how small-scale community programs can create systemic change. https://lnkd.in/gSDinEGE

Throughout the year, United Way staff facilitate sessions of an interactive educational presentation called the ALICE Experience. Most recently, UWCHQ staff Eric Rinaldo and Katie Castro were a part of several sessions for Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union management and staff. ?????? ???? ??????????? ALICE is a United Way acronym which stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” The term represents the increasing number of individuals and families who work, but are unable to meet their basic needs, including: food, child care, housing, health care and transportation. ?????? ?????????? ???????????????????? More than a presentation, this powerful workshop is an engagement tool which helps participants to better understand more fully and empathize with the invisible needs of ALICE families in our community. In Chautauqua County, 48% of households are “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed.” As part of the interactive experience, participants are tasked with making the tough choicest of a struggling A.L.I.C.E. household. ???????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????????????? United Way is uniquely poised to connect all sectors of the community (individuals, businesses, nonprofits and governmental), and leverage those connections to mobilize people to action. Recently, United Way has facilitated ALICE Experience sessions for Jamestown Public Schools, Wegmans, The Resource Center and M&T Bank. Interested in having United Way facilitate an ALICE experience at your workplace, business, organization or agency? Contact Director of Advancement Katie Castro by calling 716-483-1561 ext. 201 or by emailing [email protected]. #UnitedWay #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #NonProfits #LiveUnited #Community #WNY #CHQ #Chautauqua #ChautauquaCounty #LiveCHQ #ChooseCHQ #UWCHQ #CHQ2025 #ALICE #ALICEExperience #ALICEPopulation #ALICEFamilies #UnitedWayOfChautauquaCounty

Your United Way staffers Katie Castro and Daniel Siracuse were at JCC’s Faculty Development Day last week to detail the impact donor dollars make in Chautauqua County. Thank you to Jamestown Community College for including our Director of Advancement and Community Relations Coordinator in your faculty day. Last year, United Way programs impacted the lives of local residents 32,991 times. Donations made to United Way go to fund 48 programs at 34 agencies in Chautauqua County. ?????????????????????? ?????????????? Today in our office we have hosted several orientation sessions for community volunteers serving on grant application review panels. Coming together from different backgrounds, professions and areas of expertise, allocations volunteers review agency requests for funding, visit the program sites and conduct interviews to make their recommendations. Visiting the agencies is an essential step in the allocations process, as “it’s hard to have insight unless you are onsite.” During their visits, volunteers get a first-hand look at how funding from United Way creates measurable impact in the community. It is more than just merely reviewing numbers on a spreadsheet. It is a process which leverages community involvement to ensure that resources get allocated appropriately, but perhaps more importantly, how United Way can provide additional support to nonprofit agencies. This sometimes includes helping them to recruit volunteers, share information about their impact or provide important connections so agencies can partner together. The current round of applications being reviewed will provide approved agencies funding for programs between July 2025 and June 2027. #UnitedWay #UnitedWayCHQ #UWCHQ #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #LiveUnited #CHQ #Chautauqua #ChautauquaCounty #LiveCHQ #ChooseCHQ #UnitedIsTheWay #JCC #SUNYJCC Jamestown Community College

During United Way’s campaign celebration last month. Executive Director Amy Rohler announced that the Campaign Co-Chairs for the 2025 Fundraising Campaign will be Andrew and Lisa Goodell! Staff at United Way and a team of community volunteers are currently hard at work preparing for the 2025-2027 allocations process — which is the process by which local agencies receive funding from United Way for programming. As a result of the allocations process, the many generous gifts made to United Way will soon be allocated and distributed to community agencies to positively impact the community. The 2025 Fundraising Campaign won’t kick off until September, but it is a great first step to have our volunteer Co-Chairs in place! Each year, we are lucky to have such enthusiastic proponents for United Way serve as our Campaign Chairs — and this year is no exception. Campaign Chairs play a critical leadership role in United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. As high-profile volunteers, they help drive the campaign’s success by leveraging their networks, engaging the community, and inspiring others to give. #UnitedWay #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #Charitable #CharitableGiving #LiveUnited #CHQ #Chautauqua #CHQ2025 #ChooseCHQ #LiveCHQ #UnitedIsTheWay

Our Communications & Campaign Coordinator Nick Dean took some time from his vacation in Florida today to stop in and meet the team at United Way of Emerald Coast! Thank you Deborah Lawson and Mia Mortensen for your time and hospitality today! United Ways across the worldwide network value knowledge-sharing between teams as it strengthens individual operations as well as the entire organization. By connecting with colleagues from other United Ways, staff members gain insights, best practices and fresh ideas which can improve their local impact. These relationships help bridge gaps in resources, create opportunities, and build stronger communities. Thank you to United Way of Emerald Coast for allowing us some “Network Citizenship” today — which is the term for the active participation in and contribution to the broader United Way network which ensures that no local organization operates in isolation. #UnitedWay #UnitedWayCHQ #UWCHQ #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #LiveUnited #CHQ #Chautauqua #ChautauquaCounty #LiveCHQ #ChooseCHQ #UnitedIsTheWay #NetworkCitizenship #EmeraldCoast #UWEmeraldCoast United Way Emerald Coast #EmeraldCoastFlorida United Way

Our offices in Dunkirk and Jamestown are closed today for Presidents Day. For assistance, call 2-1-1. When you don’t know where to turn, 211 is there to help. Whether you need assistance with housing, food, mental health support, job training, or other essential services, 211 is a free, nationwide confidential helpline available 24/7 to connect you with local resources. In addition to dialing 211, the service can also be reached by dialing 888-696-9211, or texting your zip code to 898-211 — however text support is only available Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm. Presidents Day serves as a reminder of the contributions and decisions made by U.S. leaders throughout history. Today is also National Random Acts of Kindness Day. May we remember the lessons of history and work towards a brighter future. #NonProfit #NonProfitLife #LiveUnited #CHQ #Chautauqua #ChautauquaCounty #LiveCHQ #ChooseCHQ #ChautauquaRegion #211WNY #WNY #WesternNewYork #Support211 #211NY #UnitedWay #UnitedIsTheWay