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United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) is engaged in a variety of efforts to help make Dauphin, eastern Cumberland and Perry counties a better place to live, work and raise families. By providing the leadership, building the coalitions and developing the resources needed to meet our community’s evolving needs, United Way is strengthening our community and helping change lives. Here are some examples of UWCR’s efforts to make our community better: Young Fatherhood Initiative: UWCR is partnering with the Firm Foundation, Dauphin County Human Services, Hershey Medical Center and Pinnacle Health to focus on young fathers. Studies show early involvement of young fathers in the lives of their children greatly increases the chances for a lasting relationship. The initiative develops resources specifically targeted to young fathers to help strengthen fragile families. The “Daddy Packs” program was launched in late 2007 to provide new young fathers with information on becoming a responsible father. The Daddy Packs are being distributed at Hershey Medical Center and Pinnacle Hospital. The initiative is working on developing a monthly fathers support group and a conference for fathers and professional providers who work with fathers. 
Money In Your Pocket Campaign: UWCR, in partnership with other human service organizations, and state and local governments, is helping increase awareness of the availability of annual tax credits. These credits, which include the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and Pennsylvania's TAXBACK program, provide significant wage boosts to low-income families in the greater Harrisburg area. In its fourth year, the campaign offers free tax preparation service to qualifying families. Plans were developed to expand this year's campaign to include most of Dauphin County, as well as eastern Cumberland and Perry counties. In 2007, we operated 11 sites in the three counties with the support of more than 60 volunteers. More than 2,170 families were assisted with their tax preparation with more than $2.382 million returned to our community in refunds and credits. See the flyer for more Money In Your Pocket Campaign Information (PDF format, 169 kb). View a list of Tax Prep Sites (PDF format, 169 kb). Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH): A UWCR staff member has served as Chairman of this 40-plus member community coalition, which works to address the problem of homelessness in our region. Each year, CACH completes and submits a grant application, called the Continuum of Care, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Since 2000, our community has received more than $7.15 million dollars in grants for permanent housing initiatives, transitional housing and supportive services that help the homeless obtain permanent housing. Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH) Service Directory: This comprehensive reference manual, created by CACH, lists services available to homeless individuals and families in the City of Harrisburg, County of Dauphin. The manual also provides information on how to access services, operation hours, contact information and eligibility. “Quick facts” are listed on homelessness in the community, as well as information on consumer compassion and client-friendly services. View a copy of the Homeless Services Reference Manual (PDF format, 225 kb). Home Run - The Capital Area’s 10-Year Plan to End Homeless in the County of Dauphin and the City of Harrisburg:This plan is the culmination of an eight month effort by homeless service providers, emergency service providers, local government, affordable housing developers, community leaders and homeless people themselves. Home Run is a long-range, comprehensive plan to help homeless people in our area return to healthy and stable lives in permanent housing. It also is a long-range plan to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. Its recommendations are evidence-based and draw from the best practices of innovative programs and initiatives throughout the country. Home Run has been endorsed by Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed, Harrisburg City Council and the Dauphin County Commissioners. View a copy of the Home Run Plan to End Homelessness (PDF format, 195 kb) Perry County Housing Partnership: United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) provided working capital to fund the first comprehensive housing assessment in Perry County. The housing assessment developed key recommendations and identified specific housing priorities for Perry County. Some of the recommendations include the need to develop information on residential crowding, prepare a specific extract for Perry County to identify needs and trends, create a unified database and coordinated service plan for homeless-assistance programs and food banks, review Tri-County population projections for accuracy, and establish incentives to maintain safe standards for renters. The housing priorities identified were shelters and transitional housing. Thanks to the efforts of UWCR, Perry County has developed a non-profit housing board, which UWCR staff serves on. Also, a Perry County Housing Coordinator will be hired to work with the non-profit Board. This position is funded in part by a multi-year $100,000 grant from the Perry County Commissioners. For the first time in the history of Perry County, the County has received HUD Funding through the Continuum of Care grants, totaling more than $650,000 for transitional housing and housing for low-income residents of the county. This funding was made possible by the newly formed Perry County Housing Board, which UWCR helped to form and provide seed money for its incorporation. Prescription Drug Cards: Since 2006, UWCR has partnered with Membership Services Corporation and American Consultants Rx to distribute more than 20,000 prescription drug discount cards, at no cost, to area non-profits and residents. These cards have saved consumers an average of 21 percent off the cost of prescription medications, with savings as high as 50 percent reported on some generic drugs. Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition: UWCR has helped form this coalition of about twenty-five governmental and human service organizations to help meet the unique needs of ex-offenders in our community. The vision of the Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition is that every ex-offender has access to the services and resources necessary to maintain a productive, crime-free life. The efforts of the Coalition will benefit not only the ex-offenders but also the entire community as crime is reduced and ex-offenders become productive community members. The Coalition has undertaken several projects designed to improve coordination and communication between service providers including the development of a service directory and regular newsletter. A key project of the Coalition is working with potential employers and improving job training opportunities for ex-offenders. Ex-Offender Support Coalition Service Directory (PDF format, 310 kb) To learn more about these and other UWCR efforts to build community impact, contact Tim Whelan, vice president for community impact, at twhelan@uwcr.org or call 717.732.0700.
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| Copyright 2003-2008 by United Way of the Capital Region |
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