Partner Agency News

United Way of York County welcomes York County SPCA, Children’s Home of York as partner agencies

May 2, 2018 —

United Way of York County is pleased to welcome two new partner agencies, the York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and Children’s Home of York. Both organizations underwent a comprehensive affiliations process, during which the United Way of York County Affiliations Committee and the Board of Directors determined that both agencies met the rigorous requirements needed to join the current roster of Partner Agencies serving York County.

Partner Agencies provide support for the 74 programs currently funded by the United Way’s Community Fund, the most effective and efficient way for donors to make an impact on York County residents in the areas of Education, Health, and Financial Stability. A group of dedicated community volunteers form the United Way of York County Allocations Panels and work together to allocate the millions of dollars raised through the Community Fund.

“The United Way Community Fund investments focus on best practices to create a significant impact for York County residents,” said Tim Bieber, with Delta Airport Consultants and Affiliations Chair. “The diversity of programs supported by our Partner Agencies work together to address the complex problems that affect us all, and I’m confident that our two newest agencies will only strengthen our impact.”

The York County SPCA and Children’s Home of York will be eligible for funding through the Community Fund for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Founded in 1926, the York County SPCA provides long-term human and animal services to residents of York County through programs that find permanent, loving homes for displaced and stray animals; help control animal population growth; investigate and prosecute cruelty offenders; and educate the general public about animal wellness and safety.  Through their Emergency Disaster Program, the SPCA provides shelter to pets whose owners must evacuate their home due to a fire or other natural or man-made disaster.  The organization also partners with ACCESS York and Safe Home of Hanover to provide temporary shelter for pets of domestic abuse victims.  Humane officers who work to ensure that animals are safe are also able to indentify situations where children and older adults may be in danger and work with together with organizations to ensure a safe environment for everyone.  

“The York County SPCA is honored to become a United Way partner agency,” said Melissa Smith, York County SPCA Executive Director. “Our unique programs and services offer assistance to both people and pets and we strive to make our community a safer place for all. Thank you to United Way for recognizing our organization’s impact on the residents of York County.”

Children’s Home of York, established in 1865 to provide services to the orphans of the York County community. It has evolved over the past 150 years to now offer a continuum of services that providing specialized and focused care at different levels to meet the identified needs of the children and families served, ranging from Emergency Shelter for safe refuge for abused and neglected children to Residential Treatment Facilities that offer therapeutic intervention to children, youth and their families in complicated mental health situations.

“It is with great excitement that we get to formally announce our affiliation with York County United Way,” said Dr. Joseph T. Birli, Children’s Home of York President and CEO. “This new partnership will help us to further advance our mission, as we share common goals and values to enrich the communities we serve. We are honored to join a community of service organizations throughout York and for the opportunity to continue our legacy of 153 years of service together.”

 

About United Way of York County

For over 96 years, United Way of York County has worked in the York County community to improve people’s lives. It began as The York Welfare Federation, an organization that raised funds on behalf of 17 member agencies.  Today, as the United Way of York County, the mission of raising community funds remains the same, but the strategies have broadened in order to meet the growing and changing needs of people living in York County.

United Way has adapted over the years and now collaborates with other public and private organizations to engage the community in addressing the complex issues facing York County. By developing initiatives that get at the root causes of these issues, United Way and its partners find solutions and fund programs that improve the lives of one in three people in York County.  Through gifts to the Community Fund, United Way is able to invest those dollars into 69 programs supported by 37 Partner Agencies.  These programs address human services needs across three Focus Areas: Education, Health, and Financial Stability.  This enables United Way to tackle the immediate and continuing needs of York County families and individuals and to create real, lasting change that matters to you and the community.

 

About York County SPCA

The York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is a charitable organization dedicated to providing long-term human and animal services to residents of York County. Founded in 1926, the York County SPCA provides a continuum of services through programs that find permanent, loving homes for displaced and stray animals, help control animal population growth, investigate and prosecute cruelty offenders and educate the general public about animal wellness and safety.

 

About Children’s Home of York

As the oldest children- and family-centered social service agency in York County, Children’s Home of York provides comprehensive, accredited, community-based services to stabilize and strengthen families in need. We do this by implementing programs such as parenting classes, community education, mental health services, residential and independent living programs, foster care and adoption, visitation and many more. Our mission is to empower children to thrive, strengthen families and enrich communities.