|
 Lycoming County United Way has announced the appointment of Kate Pacacha, as Director of Resource Development and Communications.
"We are very pleased to have Kate join our United Way team," said Scott N. Lowery, LCUW Executive Director.
"She has a successful marketing background, multi-faceted
experiences in working with the human service community and has
exhibited a keen awareness to detail, which is vitally important
to the increasing role we are playing in the community. I am
confident Kate will be a positive addition in helping United Way
advance our mission of service to Lycoming County and our fund
raising opportunities."
Pacacha, has more than ten years of professional marketing, public relations, fund-raising and event planning experience.
She was previously employed as Marketing Director of the Lycoming Mall and volunteers with numerous local non-profit agencies.
While with the mall, she was recognized as Marketing Director of the Year by the Crown American Corporation. She is a graduate
of Susquehanna University and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Lycoming program.
"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help the United Way
better serve our community. This past fall, the United Way
campaign exceeded the goal raising $1,385,000. In 2008 we plan
to continue to grow so we can provide financial support for many
essential community programs," Pacacha added.
Pacacha will lead LCUW’s efforts in developing and implementing strategies that expand fund-raising activities and will assist in
all campaign activities and special events. Additionally, she will oversee the marketing and communications efforts of the organization.
Lycoming County United Way serves 43 vital county-wide human service programs and is a leading collaborator in creating
effective partnerships to address identified community needs.
United Way honors top humanitarian
 John R. Brunette is the recipient of the Douglas C. Dickey Humanitarian Award.
Brunette is a long-time United Way volunteer and retired PSEA regional field director.
The Douglas C. Dickey Humanitarian Award is presented annually to
individuals whose dedication, commitment and outstanding leadership have
made a significant contribution to the welfare of Lycoming County. First
presented in 1947 as the Lycoming United Way Award, it was renamed in
1997 to honor the memory of Douglas C. Dickey, a past LCUW president
lost is the crash of TWA Flight 800.
Brunette’s United Way involvement has been active and extensive for
the past 16 years. "Community activities have always been important to
me and it has been a service I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. United Way is an
organization that helps individuals and the community in so many positive ways. For me, it’s the most
important community service I can give," said Brunette.
He began his United Way service in 1992, as the co-chair of the annual campaign’s Education Division;
a position he has held ever since. He serves on the LCUW Board of Directors, chairs the organization’s
Nominating Committee, is active in the Program Partner’s allocation process, is a member of the Strategic
Planning, Executive and Building Maintenance Committees and currently serves as the 2nd Vice President.
A graduate of Shippensburg University, Brunette began his career in education in the Altoona School District.
In 1971 he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania State Education Association and established his office
in Williamsport. He was honored by the PSEA Board of Directors in 1987 as the organization’s outstanding
staff member of the year. In 1989 he became Regional Field Director with responsibilities for PSEA’s 14
county central division, a position he held until his retirement in 2001.
Over the years John has been involved in various community activities. A South Williamsport resident, he
co-chaired the fund drive to establish the community swimming pool, which became the centerpiece of the
borough’s extensive recreational park. He is a former member of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of
Commerce and served on its education committee. He was also a founding partner in the Lycoming/Sullivan
Performance Coalition, which focused on issues surrounding educational accountability and the professional
support systems necessary to improving student performance.
John has been married to wife, Jan, for 43 years. They have two married children; Dr. Steven Brunette, New
Milford, Connecticut; and Jennifer Heiligman, Marlton, New Jersey. They have three grandchildren, Jenise,
18, Blake, 4, and Gavin, four months.
In retirement, John and Jan travel extensively, spend time with their family, perform volunteer work and
actively pursue winter skiing. In warmer weather, John enjoys golfing and Jan can be found in the company
of her horse, Cody.
Read the Sun Gazette Article.
United Way Funding Provides $1,368,338 to Community
Fulfilling its mission of 'mobilizing resources to improve lives'; Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) has announced $1,368,338.00 will be used to support a broad variety of human service programs across the county in 2008.
"Lycoming County United Way has long been defined by its
annual fund raising campaign that takes place each fall," said Keith Kuzio,
president of the LCUW Board of Directors. "But in reality,
United Way is at work throughout the year developing solutions
to problems affecting our community. This effort includes
securing additional revenue outside of the campaign through
grants and awards from both public and private entities. In
2008, this strategy will result in more than $448,000.00 of
additional funds to support vital human service programs in
Lycoming County."
This total includes $920,154.00 to LCUW Program Partners, $378,239.00 to sub-recipients of federal and state grants, $36,000.00 to
LCUW community initiatives, and $33,945.00 to non-LCUW affiliated human service programs.
"Two years ago LCUW began to implement changes in its funding
process transforming to a community impact model. Our 86 years
of experience has taught us the best way to help the most people
is to focus on the underlying causes of the most serious
problems. We’re focused on critical issues like youth
development, hunger and homelessness, strengthening families,
supporting our seniors, and serving individuals with special
needs," Kuzio explained.
"Over the years, the needs of our community have changed and those who invest their time and resources with United Way look to us to address these needs.
It is much more effective to help people solve problems and improve their lives, so our priorities must be directed towards those areas," added Kuzio.
Later this month, more than 50 community volunteers (divided into five panels) will meet with LCUW Program Partners to review their request for funding,
with an emphasis placed upon measurable outcomes in determining how the funding will be distributed. The volunteer panels will forward their recommendations
for funding to the LCUW Board of Directors in May.
"The volunteer review of our Program Partners is fundamental
to the United Way concept," said Tom O’Connell, chair of the
Funds Distribution Committee. "This process ensures
accountability among the programs we support, transparency in
the funding process, and thoughtful stewardship of our donors’
investment in United Way. The responsibility of distributing the
funds entrusted to us is one that is treated very seriously in
order to accomplish the most good in our community. I am very
grateful for the dedication and support devoted to this process
by our volunteers."
Funds put to use in the community through the United Way will this year, for the first time, include the LCUW administration of a $50,000.00 state grant
directed towards investing in quality early education to better prepare youngsters for kindergarten and first grade.
LCUW’s Early Childhood Community Engagement (ECCE) Director, Jennifer Bolich has led a community engagement group effort that has united
educators and the general public in addressing the challenge ahead.
"Studies have shown that 90% of a child’s main brain development takes place before the age of five. We have a unique opportunity and
responsibility to provide access to quality early childcare to the children of Lycoming County," said Bolich.
"Currently, only 67% of children in our county have access to
an early childhood education. Together, we are working to
improve that statistic by collaborative efforts between early
childcare practitioners and the school districts. Supporting the
enrollment and progression of providers through the PA STARS
program (a state –wide rating system designed to improve quality
through standards, training, assistance, resources and support),
and continuing to develop avenues to educate parents on the
importance of quality early childhood education is an initiative
Lycoming County United Way feels is proud to lead."
"Lycoming County United Way has made significant strides the past eighteen months in transitioning to an Impact model,"
said executive director Scott N. Lowery. "Our funding priorities
are being focused on the underlying causes that can be addressed
to create lasting changes in people’s lives and the community.
Success in this area will help prevent problems from occurring
in the first place."
Raising and distributing campaign funds may be the most visible, but it is just one of the ways LCUW works to create a lasting
change in the community. I am pleased that due to the success of our last campaign and our ability to diversify our revenue streams,
we are able to put more resources to work addressing the most pressing human local service needs.
"Our donors can be assured their United Way support is being put to the best possible uses in both accountability and effectiveness.
Becoming the charity of choice is a distinction that demands our due diligence. It is a responsibility we welcome and are proud to wear," Lowery stated.
Lycoming County United Way Allocates $920,154.00
Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) has completed its funds distribution process, allocating $920,154.00 to human service programs serving Lycoming County.
Beginning in late April, 60 volunteers, divided among five panels, met with representatives of service providers. Each program was evaluated for its efficiency of operation,
financial accountability, and impact within the community. Recommendations for funding to those programs were presented to the LCUW Board of Directors at its May meeting.
The Board approved the recommendations, putting to work the generosity of LCUW’s donors.
"Each year, contributors to the LCUW campaign entrust us with
their dollars to distribute them in a manner that will do the
most good within our Lycoming County community," said Scott N.
Lowery, LCUW executive director. "Once again, the volunteers
charged with this difficult task of allocating limited resources
did a tremendous job."
"Even though we had $34,000.00 more to distribute than we did last year, the requests for funding we received totaled
$122,000.00 more than we had to give. The various programs we fund are all providing a valuable service to the public,
but it is impossible to meet 100% of each request. I continue to be impressed with the volunteer’s thoroughness and
thoughtfulness when evaluating the programs. They understand they represent the thousands of individuals who generously
donate to United Way and they take the responsibility seriously to effectively put those dollars into positive action," Lowery added.
LCUW funds are distributed to 43 programs comprising five Impact Areas.
Crisis Resolution and Hunger/Homelessness - $306,000.00 to support seven programs:
American Rescue Workers (Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Program)- $70,000.00
Diakon Family Life Services – $93,000.00
North Central PA Chapter of the American Red Cross (AFES, Disaster) - $50,000.00
YWCA of North Central Pennsylvania (CASA, Liberty House, Wise Options) - $93,000.00
Children and Youth - $202,000.00 to support seven programs:
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lycoming County – $23,000.00
Campbell Street Center (Education and Recreation Programs) - $74,500.00
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania - $10,000.00
River Valley Regional YMCA (Youth Program, Childcare) – $60,000.00
Susquehanna Council Boy Scouts of America – $34,500.00
Special Needs - $204,879.00 to support six programs:
Children’s Development Center (Health, Speech, Pre-school Programs) - $120,000.00
Hope Enterprises, Inc.(Transportation) - $63,879.00
North Central Sight Services (Prevention of Blindness, Social Services) - $21,000.00
Strengthening Families - $130,000.00 to support four programs:
James V. Brown Library Learning Center - $25,000.00
Jersey Shore YMCA (Brickhouse Program) - $41,000.00
STEP, Inc.(Information & Referral) - $39,000.00
Susquehanna Home Care (Nurse Family Partnership) - $25,000.00
Senior Support and Health Improvement $62,427.00 to support six programs:
North Central PA Chapter of the American Red Cross (Health & Safety) - $6,750.00
Office of Aging (Meals-on-Wheels, Congregate Meals) - $17,692.00
River Valley Regional YMCA (Seniors Program) – $15,000.00
Susquehanna Home Care (Indigent Care) – $8,485.00
YWCA of North Central Pennsylvania (Health Program) – $14,500.00
In addition, LCUW Funds the following outreach programs:
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank - $4,861.00
East Lycoming Area School District – (Dental Program) - $1,000.00
Hughesville Area Public Library – $1,183.00
Jersey Shore Public Library - $875.00
Montgomery Area School District (Dental Program) - $1,200.00
Montgomery Area Public Library - $840.00
Muncy Public Library - $1,000.00
Muncy Recreation Commission - $977.00
St. Anthony’s Center - $1,351.00
W.B. Konkle Memorial Library (Montoursville) – $1,000.00
Williamsport Home - $561.00
"We understand the complex needs of our community and under the careful scrutiny of local volunteers, we provide funding to a network of effective program partners to address those needs – or we launch new impact initiatives that will," said Joanne Ludwikowski,
president of the LCUW Board of Directors. "We strive to get to
the heart of problems and create lasting change. We very
carefully consider how to best invest our donors’ money in
progressive programs to address these current issues."
While the focus of LCUW funding has undergone a new outcomes-based emphasis, its’ mission to
"mobilize resources to improve lives" and utilization of community volunteers has not changed.
"The volunteer panel review of our Program Partners still remains vital to the United Way concept," said Tom O’Connell, volunteer Chair of the Funds Distribution Committee.
"It ensures accountability among the programs we help fund,
transparency in the funding process, and the careful stewardship
of donors’ investments in United Way. It is an important
responsibility that is taken very seriously by all involved."
The announced allocations will be distributed to the various programs monthly beginning in July, O’Connell indicated.
The $920,154.00 allocation brings the total of LCUW assisted financial support to Lycoming County to $1,368,338.00 during the past year. This includes $378,239.00 to sub-recipients of federal and state grants, $36,000.00 to LCUW community initiatives and $33,945.00 to non-LCUW affiliated human service programs.
|
