United Way programs help children in poverty

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According to a report from the United Way of Pennsylvania, as of 2022, of the 5.3 million households in the state, 12% lived in poverty.

Another 28% were considered ALICE, which means Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

While these households technically earn above the Federal Poverty Level and often don’t quality for public assistance, they still cannot afford the basic cost of living.

That same report stated that even though wages for most low-wage jobs have increased, the cost of living has continued to rise.

The expiration of pandemic public assistance and inflation have also contributed towards the financial hardships families across the state are facing.

The United Way of Wyoming Valley works to address and combat these complex issues every day in order to end the cycle of childhood poverty.

CEO Bill Jones recently spoke with the Times Leader about the organization’s new initiative to assist struggling parents as well its upcoming Thrive Drive, which helps students get the resources they need to focus on their education ahead of the new school year.

New Parent Support Line

According to Jones, helping children in the community affected by poverty means empowering parents and caregivers with the resources and services needed for their families to thrive.

“Many of these families are busy. They may be working two jobs. They may not have the transportation or they’re a single parent who’s working a full time job. They don’t have time to do the traditional social service programming. So we thought, ‘How can we help them in ways that are timely?’” Jones explained.

From that thinking came the Parent Support Line program that went live on July 16, which aims to provide crucial support and resources like crisis intervention, referrals to services and community connection to parents and caregivers of all income levels throughout the Wyoming Valley.

The support line is funded by the United Way, operated by the Family Service Association’s 2-1-1 program and staffed by team members with significant training in parenting and trauma related issues.

Jones said the program will allow parents to bypass doing all of the time consuming paperwork that is often associated with social services. All you have to do is pick up the phone and explain your situation in order to get connected with the help you need.

“We’re excited for this to roll out because we understand that parenting is hard. And if we can help parents address some needs then, we will,” said Jones.

Annual Thrive Drive

The United Way’s annual Thrive Drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 26 at 100 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre.

The collection supports the organization’s Nurse’s Pantry, which is currently in 10 school districts throughout the county.

The program aims to provide underprivileged children with the supplies needed to meet their basic needs and eliminate any barriers to their education and growth.

Suggested donations include:

• Children’s underwear

• Baby wipes

• Feminine hygiene products

• Deodorant

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Mouthwash

• Floss

• Shampoo

• Soap

• Socks

• Pencils

• Pens

• Notebooks

• Backpacks

• Erasers

• Glue sticks

According to Jones, the Nurse’s Pantry is an initiative that began during the 2018-2019 school year in five elementary schools in the Wilkes-Barre Area school district.

The program quickly gained popularity and is now in every elementary school in the Wyoming Valley.

Jones said Nurse’s Pantries can now be found in several area high schools as well, with plans to continue expanding.

“We’re very proud of the program and the impact it’s had,” he said.

Jones estimated that last year, the pantry benefited roughly 5,400 children.

“It’s pretty powerful how the things most of us take for granted that children from families who struggle don’t have. And the fact that we could help them not only stay in school and not miss class time, but to do better in life has been pretty powerful for us,” he said.