Berwick Area United Way works hard to identify the unmet needs of our commuity and to develop ways to address those needs. Over the last few years, our volunteers have worked with Bloomsburg University and Bucknell University to conduct focus groups, survey residents and interview stakeholders to determine what our community needs and resources actually are.
As a result of that research, Berwick Area United Way identified support for working families as our major focus. These are the neighbors and friends who work hard to support their families and build a better life but who sometimes need a helping hand. In the last few years, you helped us bring a free state and federal income tax filing site into the Berwick area. In 2010, 239 families received more than $410,000 in tax refunds and saved tax preparation fees. With our free prescription drug discount card, you helped more than 9,000 families saved almost $73,000 on prescription drug costs. You helped to fund a financial literacy program at the Family Center and planning to expand that program next year.
None of this would be possible without the support of donors like you. You helped 12 families when their homes were destroyed by fire. Because of you, 65 seniors, handicapped and home bound neighbors received a hot meal and a visit from Books on Wheels. You supported working families with subsidized quality child care, before and after school programs, summer programs and a summer lunch program. You and donors just like you have done so much for our community and we thank you.
Advancing the common good is less about helping one person at a time and more about changing systems to help all of us. We are all connected and interdependent. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, when people are healthy.
Berwick Area United Way’s goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of these problems. Living united means being a part of the change. It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.