Eriez Leads the Way at Community School Corporate Partner

Thanks to the generosity of United Way of Erie County’s corporate and funding partners, together, we are making a transformational impact in the lives of students and families in Erie County.?Throughout the year we are featuring corporate and funding partners in the Weekly InBrief.?

In this issue, we are focusing on Eriez who is a corporate partner for two United Way community schools, Harding and Perry Elementary.

Shanna Potter, community school director at Harding, shared that Eriez employees volunteer at ServErie Saturday project days at the school, Student Welcome days, provide items for teacher welcome bags, support all the supply drives by collecting and purchasing items, conduct a 6-week after school magnet STEM program for 4th and 5th grade students and volunteer at events, such as Fall Fest, Spring Fest and Winter Fest.?

Scot Galloway, community school director at Perry, shared that Eriez employees have volunteered at Perry’s family engagement events, helped sponsor teacher appreciation lunches and gift bags and they never miss a Community School Leadership Team meeting.??

"We are beyond grateful for our partnership with Eriez,” Scot said. “Without their dedication and involvement with Perry students, families and staff members it would prove difficult to erase nonacademic barriers in our school setting. Eriez impact on our community school continues to be felt every single school day."

Here is a brief Q and A with Richard Merwin, Chairman of the Board.?

Q.?Why did you commit to investing in the community school strategy??

A. Eriez is in our fourth year as a Corporate Partner for both Harding and Perry Elementary Schools.?We are convinced education is the key to providing an opportunity for a better life. The Community School concept addresses all the fundamentals which might be deficient in the current system.?First, it’s getting students into the school, both reducing absences and helping to ensure that the students have a safe way to reach the school.?In addition, the Community Schools are helping to ensure that the students receive basic needs (food and clothing) plus health, dental and vision assistance.

Q.?How does investing upstream in our most precious human capital align with your corporate philosophy to help level the playing field so all children may achieve academically, thus opening doors to unlimited opportunities??

A. While the Covid pandemic was a significant disruption to education, in 2022-2023 the Community Schools have shown progress in improved attendance, have met more of the students’ basic needs and increased family engagement.?The result of these initiatives has been significant academic improvement. The Community Schools have met or exceeded Pennsylvania growth standards in math and reading by 93% and 81% respectively. We expect these efforts will continue to improve academic results and provide these students with what is needed to be productive, successful adults.?