United Way Impacts Cattaraugus, Allegany Counties

In "Stone Soup," a European folktale, hungry strangers convince the people of a town to share small amounts of their food to make a meal.

Susan McAuley, the executive director of United Way of Cattaraugus and Allegany County, said the organization she heads tries to emulate that folktale.

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The charity and fundraising agency helps nonprofit agencies that provide human service programs in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties to request funding.

McAuley explained the influence and impact that this funding has.

“When you’re working in human services, you always have this one person that gives you an experience that makes you want to get up every day and go to work,” McAuley said. “We understand that, and we want to help the groups feel this way and change lives because of it.”

She said that with decades of service and commitment to community welfare, United Way stands as a pillar of support in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.

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The United Way has been in existence in Cattaraugus County since 1922, McAuley noted. Allegany County was incorporated in 1958.

McAuley explained how the organization works throughout the community.

"What we do is we go out, and we work with companies and individuals," McAuley said. "Companies will do a United Way Campaign, where people can get payroll deductions taken out of their check like a dollar or two a week.”

She said that each community has specific needs and that it is important to have a group dedicated enough to find out those needs.

“That's what our grant process is about is that we have agencies that work within these specific spheres where we see a need to come in and apply for this collective funding," McAuley said.

The grant allocation process, overseen by community volunteers, ensures that funds are channeled toward initiatives addressing critical areas such as healthy community youth opportunities, financial security and community resiliency.

She said that the overall goal of the program is to bridge funding gaps, enabling groups to pursue impactful endeavors that might otherwise go unfunded.

"In Cattaraugus County, last year, we funded 20 programs,” McAuley said. “In Allegany County, we funded 18 programs.”

McAuley said that a successful example of such funding in the area is found at the Genesis House, an Olean residence that provides secure temporary housing for homeless adults and families to transition to more stable housing.

“We saw something that needed funding due to the homeless population in the area,” McAuley said. “The Genesis House really helps guide those who come through there and get down to the bottom of whatever caused them to be homeless.”

McAuley said that the organization loves to hear about the success stories of the groups that they fund.

“United Way is a family,” McAuley said. “We're always in touch working with them and the issues that are so important to our community.”

In the long term, United Way is trying to mobilize the community to meet the needs of everyone, McAuley said.

“As time progresses, the community needs change,” McAuley said. “You always wish that there wasn’t that need ... but the long-term history of our organization shows that the needs continue, and we’re here to help.”

Grant applications will be taken through Friday. More information, the funding application and guidelines for the application can be found at https://www.uwcac.org/news-events/2024-grant-cycle .

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