Below is a listing of all of the local agencies that Union County United Way serves:

• American Red Cross, Union County Chapter
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Central Susquehanna Valley
• Boy Scouts of America, Susquehanna Council
• Central Susquehanna Sight Services
• Diakon Family Life Services
• Donald L. Heiter Community Center
• Eastern UC Supplemental Food Program
• Evangelical Home Health Services
• Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
• Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA
• Herr Memorial Library
• Lewisburg Listening Post
• Lewisburg/Milton Meals on Wheels
• Mifflinburg Area Food Bank
• Public Library for Union County
• Snyder, Union, Mifflin Child Development, Inc.
• SUNCOM Industries
• Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition
• Union-Snyder Habitat for Humanity
• West End Library
• Western Union County Youth Center

American Red Cross, Union County Chapter

With United Way funding, the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and its more than 400 volunteers, assists the community in the areas of disaster preparedness, education and relief, blood services, armed forces emergency services, health and safety services, and direct assistance to members of the community. In fiscal year 2008, volunteers conducted 44 blood drives collecting 3,610 pints of blood. Disaster volunteers responded to and assisted several families affected by disaster. Twenty-nine military members and their families were assisted with emergency communications. Each year, 3,325 members of the community are trained in some type of life saving skill such as CPR, water safety or first aid. Yearly, about 500 families are served through our community services program with a wide variety of direct assistance and referrals. These essential services are provided in part by funding received through United Way donations.

Phone: (570)524-0400
Email: unionarc@dejazzd.com
Web: www.unioncountypa.redcross.org

Big Brothers / Big Sisters of the Central Susquehanna Valley

Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a community service agency that provides a one-to-one adult friendship for children in need of a positive role model.  The agency promotes community based matches as well as a newly created school-based mentoring program.  This program is designed to bring volunteers directly to the school to mentor children in a group setting.  Big Brothers/Big Sisters also provides group activities on the campus of Bucknell University for children who are currently waiting to be matched with their own mentor. In 2008 more than 21 matches were made for youth who reside in Union County. United Way funding helps to support these matches and the activities for Union County children who are on the waiting list.

Phone: (570) 286-3127
Email: csv_bbbs@msn.com

Boy Scouts of America, Susquehanna Council

The Susquehanna Council provides a comprehensive values based youth character and leadership development program to foster strong character, demonstrated citizenship, and personal fitness on a year round basis to boys and young men from first grade or age 7 to 18 years old. The Venturing program serves young men and women ages 14 –21 years.  BSA services include leadership skills development, values-based training, outdoor activities & camping, high adventure activities, opportunities to demonstrate civic and community service, developing critical thinking, ethical decision making skills, opportunities to experience positive adult volunteer mentorships, and family centered activities.  Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  We are the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.  In 2008, 551 young people and their families received over 71,978 hours of benefit from the programs in Union County.

Phone:(570) 326-5121 or (800) 647-4510
Web: www.susquehannabsa.org

Central Susquehanna Sight Services

Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Inc. provides services to those that are blind or visually impaired as well as prevention of blindness services in Union County and the surrounding four-county region. 95 blind or low vision clients received assistance with reading mail and bill preparation, grocery shopping, transportation/escort to medical appointments, life skills/education and low vision aid demonstrations in 2008. Central Susquehanna Sight Services’ Talking Book Program was utilized by more than 580 clients in the region. The Prevention of Blindness program provided vision screenings for 102 adults and 63 preschool children, public education through presentations, educational materials and displays and a low-cost eye wear program.

Phone: (570) 286-1471 or 888-646-6644
Web: www.cssight.org

Diakon Family Life Services

Diakon Family Life Services provides counseling and other supportive services to residents of Union County regardless of age or level of income. Those served include individuals, couples and families with an emphasis on serving children and their parents. Diakon Family Life Services provides help for a broad range of presenting problems including trauma and abuse, mental health disorders, difficult life transitions, grief and loss, disability and parent-child conflicts. Counseling is provided from a systemic, strengths-based approach. Assets from an individual, family or community perspective are identified and built upon to promote health, stability, and improved functioning. United Way funding allows for a benevolent care fund so that all can access professional care and crisis intervention services regardless of income level. Diakon Family Life Services also provides training and consultation to area corporations, schools and other agencies, Student Assistance Program Certification training, congregational and pastoral consultation, Girls on the Run programming and Family Based Mental Health, in various locations.

Phone: (570) 524-9477 (or) 1-800-395-8327
Web: www.diakon.org

Donald L. Heiter Community Center

DHCC was established in 1993 by local citizens as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative. The Center runs 26 different diverse annual programs with the help of 251 volunteers that include 108 Bucknell University students. In a community of 7,000 people, 4,302 passed through the Center’s doors in 2008 (2,245 from Union County; 753 from Snyder County, 1,276 from Northumberland County, and 128 from other counties.). Over 100 children participated in the After-School Program in 2008. DHCC is an integral part of the communities it serves. The convenient downtown location allows local members to walk to the facility. We partnered with 28 other organizations and agencies in 2008 to provide services and support to the community.
The Center is located at 100 North Fifth Street in Lewisburg.

Phone: (570) 524-5000
Email: heiter@dejazzd.com
Web: www.publibuc.org

Eastern UC Supplemental Food Program

The mission of this program is that no one in Eastern Union County goes to bed hungry. Volunteers of the program distribute food the first and third Fridays of each month to an average of 680 Eastern Union County residents, all from households with an income of 150% or less of the designated federal poverty level. Approximately 1200 different individuals received services during the 2008-09 fiscal year. Monthly, approximately 6,750 pounds of nutritious food providing for 9,000 meals are provided by the EUCSF Program. Clients of the program are also eligible to receive clean, gently used, contemporary clothing at no cost. The EUCSF Program is housed in the basement of the Baptist Church at 51 S. 3rd Street in Lewisburg.

Phone: (570) 523-3128 or (570) 524-2546

Evangelical Home Health Services

Evangelical Home Health Services provides skilled health care in patients’ homes, including nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical social services, and home health aide care. 358 people received skilled care last year in Union County. Union County United Way funds help offset the cost of care not covered by third party payers.

Phone: (570) 522-2550
Web: www.evanhospital.com/services/medical/home_health

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania offers an all-encompassing leadership development program designed for girls ages 5 – 17 from throughout Union County. As part of her experience, any girl in Union County, regardless of her socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity and/or religion may participate in Girl Scouting by becoming a member of a troop, attending a day or resident camp, participating in an educational program, joining a special interest group and/or traveling regionally, nationally and/or internationally. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a research-based leadership development program that strategically aligns 15 outcomes with the many ways in which a girl can participate in Girl Scouting while building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Phone: 800-692-7816
Web: www.gshpa.org

Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA

The YMCA has three local branches located at 12 Bound Avenue, Milton, 1150 N. 4th Street, Sunbury and an Arts Center on 35 South 5th Street in Sunbury. United Way funds assist the YMCA in underwriting the financial assistance program for over 175 Union County residents. Financial assistance is granted based upon the applicant’s income and a confidential application process. In 2008, the YMCA extended over $59,000 worth of assistance to the youth, adults, families, and seniors who otherwise may not have been able to afford YMCA programs and services.

At the YMCA…We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, and Strong Communities

Phone: (570)742-7321 or (570)286-5636
Web: www.gsvymca.org

Herr Memorial Library

The Jane I. and Annetta M. Herr Memorial Library provides residents of the Borough of Mifflinburg as well as surrounding rural areas with a wide range of library services.  The library circulates more than 500 items per week to people who live outside of the borough.  The library offers adult, young adult, and children’s collections, books on tape, magazines, videotapes, DVDs, reference materials, a copier, fax machine, public computers with Internet access, and special collections focusing on local history and genealogies.  Most of the library’s special programs are designed to serve children, and these programs are consistently filled to capacity.  During the school year, the library offers story times, reading clubs, proctoring of exams, programs for home-schooled children, and a Mennonite/Amish school outreach.  The library also offers a summer reading program that serves more than 250 children.  Adult programs include a reading group, genealogical research and guest speakers.  Union County United Way funding supports the Herr Memorial Library’s Baby, Toddler and Pre-school Story Time, and the Summer Reading Program.

Phone: (570) 966-0831
Web: www.herrlibrary.org

Lewisburg Listening Post

The Lewisburg Listening Post is a grass-roots, direct-service organization that was established in 1978 to provide local youth with one-on-one social counseling, mentoring, and tutoring services. The LLP is dedicated to offering a strong and positive support system to students in grades 4 through 12 by providing daily access to professionally trained and caring “near-peer” counselors from Bucknell and other local universities under the supervision of its coordinator. The staff promotes overall wellness, development of problem-solving and decision-making skills, and provides primary intervention by identifying serious issues and making referrals to school guidance counselors. In addition, near-peer counselors serve as tutors in after-school programs for academically at-risk students and lead presentations that promote healthy self-esteem. In partnership with the Lewisburg business community, the Lewisburg Listening Post sponsors the Dragon Star of the Month (a positive behavior recognition initiative). The LLP also provides volunteers to support the Lewisburg School District’s annual holiday gift drive for low-income students.

Phone: (570) 523-3220

Lewisburg/Milton Meals on Wheels

The Lewisburg / Milton Meals on Wheels program provides one hot, nutritious, noontime meal, five days a week. Meals are delivered by volunteers to the homes of needy persons 18 years and older who are homebound or cannot prepare their own meals. The Union County United Way helps to subsidize the cost of meals and provides financial assistance when necessary for those who need our services. Meals that adhere to different types of diet restrictions such as low salt, carbohydrate controlled, low fat and others are available. In 2008, MOW helped 108 different individuals, distributing a total of 11,533 meals. The Meals on Wheels program operates out of the RiverWoods Senior Living Community in Lewisburg.

Phone: (570) 522-1934

Mifflinburg Area Food Bank

The Mifflinburg Area Food Bank is operated through the volunteer efforts of local churches. This program serves families in the 922 and 966 telephone area, which covers Mifflinburg and all of Western Union County. Using Government funds, as well as the generous Gifts from the United Way, Local churches and friends of the Community, We Strive to provide a variety of food to those who find themselves under the 150% poverty guidelines set by the Federal Government. Distribution is held monthly on the third Friday of every month. On average, 150 households including approximately 325 family members are served. The purpose of the Mifflinburg Area Food Bank is to reduce hunger locally by providing supplemental nutritious food to those in need. In addition, we are available to assist those that may find themselves without food during the month on an emergency basis.

Phone: (570) 966-9768   1-877-497-1257

Public Library for Union County

The Public Library for Union County is the headquarters library for the Union County Library System and serves all residents of the county with a full range of library services. Open seven days a week, the library provides reference information, recreational and vocational materials including books, magazines, newspapers, books on tape, videos and DVDs to 12,000+ patrons holding library cards. Thirteen computers are available for use by the public, nine Internet stations and four children’s computers. The library offers many adult programs and a full range of children’s programming including story times, a summer reading program and craft workshops. Extensive outreach programs for adults and children are available. Union County United Way funding helps to support the childrens and teen programming and outreach, and adult outreach program, a valuable service to the homebound and those in nursing homes.

Phone: (570)523-1172
Web: www.publibuc.org

Snyder, Union, Mifflin Child Development, Inc.

SUMCD is a private, non-profit agency that provides quality early childcare and education to families in central Pennsylvania. Program services include: Head Start; Early Head Start; Child Care; PEEK (early intervention); and Child Care Information Services (CCIS distributes vouchers for subsidizing child care). SUMCD believes in the very important role parents play in the growth and development of their children and, therefore, serves families, not just children. It is important that all families have access to quality early care and education services. Union County United Way funds are used to assist low- and low-moderate income families with the high cost of childcare when other subsidies are not available. In 2008, SUMCD assisted 33 such families and 38 children in Union County.

Phone: (570) 966-2845  or  (570) 524-0926
Web: www.sumcd.org

SUNCOM Industries

Suncom Industries is a private, non-profit organization, which provides specialized programs, vocational training, community employment and developmental programs to people with disabilities. Programs at Suncom help people experience success as they reach their potential by being productive and improving the quality of their life. Funding from the Union County United Way helps to support the Multi-Sensory Environment program. This Multi-Sensory Environment provides people with disabilities the important opportunity for therapeutic exercises, range of motion, ambulation, sensory stimulation, mental and physical relaxation, hands on and social interaction and vocational assessments. Approximately 45 residents from Union County directly benefitted from this experience in 2009.

Phone: (570) 473-8352
Web: www.suncom.org

Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition

SVWIT seeks to help break patterns of violence by providing assistance to victims, survivors and their significant others as well as education to communities. These services include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, individual and group support counseling, educational programs to schools and the community, legal and medical advocacy, and children’s counseling. Union County services are a significant part of our three county service area. In 2007-2008, SVWIT provided over 2500 hours of service to 807 victims of sexual assault. The domestic violence program provided over 5000 hours of service to 1,311 adult victims and 241 child victims in all three counties. These numbers reflect a 35- 40% increase from last year. During the current school year, SVWIT reached over 20,000 students with school programs and provided more than 200 community programs. The 24-hour, toll-free hotline, 1-800-850-7948 (TTY available), has staff and trained volunteers available to provide counseling, information and referrals to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other serious crimes. Union County United Way funding helps to support shelter, crisis intervention services, and community and school based education programs in Union County.

Phone: (570)523-6482
Web: www.svwit.org

Union-Snyder Habitat for Humanity

Since its establishment in 1994, USHFH has built 15 homes for deserving families in seven communities in Union and Snyder counties. The family selection committee selects homeowners based on their level of need and their willingness to become partners in the program. USHFH houses are sold to partner families at cost (no profit) and are financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages.  In addition, partner families invest 250 hours labor (”sweat equity”) into building their own house and are also required to attend a home ownership program.  To date, all 15-partner families are still residing in their Habitat homes – that is a 100% success rate.  USHFH follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection and often builds in partnership with the Bucknell and Susquehanna University HFH chapters.

Phone: (570) 374-2437  or  888-995-4387
Email: info@ushfh.org
Web: www.USHFH.org

West End Library

The West End Library serves residents of Hartley Township and the surrounding area, as part of the Union County Library System with a wide range of services. The library circulates more than 1400 items per month to local community and patrons who live outside the township. The library offers adult, teen and children’s collections, books on tape, video cassettes, DVD’s, magazines, newspapers, reference materials, a copier, fax machine and public computers with internet access to 704 library card holders. Adult programs include an adult reading group, computer classes and various guest speakers throughout the year. Story hours for preschool children, and afterschool crafts along with their caregivers, provide an opportunity for children to appreciate and enjoy books and crafts in a social setting with other children and adults. The library also offers a summer reading program which serves more than 80 local children. Union County United Way funds support preschool story time, after school crafts and our community newsletter which is distributed to all families with a Millmont, Laurelton, Weikert or Hartleton address.

Phone: (570) 922-4773
Web: www.westendlibrary.org

Western Union County Youth Center

The Western Union County Youth Center serves youth of elementary, middle and high school age in a safe, supportive and caring environment. The Center is open Friday nights with two employees (3 hrs. weekly), board members, volunteers, and parents providing supervision. Union County United Way funds support entertainment and informative programs that provide opportunities for creativity, social growth, and a broad understanding of the local community and the role that youth play in it. United Way funds also make it possible to employ the second staff person for Friday night activities. The Center serves youth from Hartley, Lewis, Limestone, and West Buffalo townships, as well as Mifflinburg and Hartleton boroughs. The recent move to a new building located next to the West End Library in Laurelton will greatly improve stability, access, and programming possibilities.

Phone: (570) 922-1583 or (570) 922-1342