United Way Programs & Services

Project Blueprint - 2008 Class begins in April

Project Blueprint is a leadership development program designed to recruit and train volunteers who have an interest in serving on boards or committees, with an emphasis on promoting diversity. Twenty people graduated from the program in 2006. United Way works to place graduates on local boards and committees. The program is free of charge to residents 16 and over.

Workshops are held for eight consecutive weeks each spring and topics may include:

• Board organization
• Ethics and legal issues
• Strategic planning and fundraising
• Understanding a financial statement
• Attending an actual board meeting

For the past two graduating classes, a Project Blueprint graduate has been chosen to receive a scholarship for the Chautauqua Leadership Network in partnership with CLN and United Way.

You may download a 2008 Project Blueprint brochure or application, or contact Rich Fleurant for more information.

As part of the Chautauqua County Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, United Way helps to recruit and train volunteers, and establish tax preparation site for income-eligible county residents. This past year, the VITA program returned over $691,000 to more than 450 taxpayers in Southern Chautauqua County.

Partners in the project are the Chautauqua County Human Services Departments, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., Southwestern Independent Living Center, and the United Ways of Chautauqua County.

For details about tax preparation for the 2007 tax year, click here, call 2-1-1 in Chautauqua County, or print our brochure in English or Spanish.

Community Matters Food Drive

In an effort to increase the supply of food and personal care items donated to local food pantries in Southern Chautauqua County, the United Way has established the “Community Matters Food Drive.”  The United Way’s goal is to increase food and personal item donations throughout the year, especially outside of the holiday season. 

Businesses, organizations, schools, and community groups are encouraged to conduct one food drive annually, during a month that is most convenient to their schedule, and to select a food pantry that they wish to benefit. 

Anyone who is interested in starting a food drive, or who is already running an annual drive, is encouraged to contact United Way Director of Community Building Rich Fleurant.

Community Report Card

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County published its first ever Community Report Card in July 2006, in order to help identify strengths and challenges in our county.

The report is available to download, or you can obtain a hard copy or CD version by contacting United Way.

Project partners/collaborators:

• Chautauqua County Government
• Chautauqua Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council
• Chautauqua County Health Network
• Jane Fischer, Community Concepts
• Laurie Livingston, L.L. Consulting
• Chautauqua County Tobacco Control Coalition

Patient Navigation Program

In partnership with WCA Hospital, United Way is providing outreach services to connect women over the age of 40 with breast cancer prevention services. This project grew out of the results of the United Way Community Report Card. Discussions are currently underway to identify baseline data and establish program outcomes.

Other collaborators include:

• Chautauqua County Partners for Prevention
• Northern Appalachia Cancer Network

For more information about breast cancer detection and prevention, contact WCA Hospital.

To partner in this important outreach effort, contact Rich Fleurant at United Way.

Funding Resource Directory for Chautauqua County

Directory of local foundations and other organizations that provide funding for non-profit and grassroots programs. The second edition was distributed in March 2006. You can download and print a copy of the booklet here.

Initial collaboration included:

• CASAC
• Chautauqua County County Health Dept.
• CHRIC
• CRCF
• Gebbie Foundation
• Lake Shore Savings
• NCCF
• SUNY College at Fredonia

Help When You Need It Most: Human Services for Dislocated Workers in Chautauqua County

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County has published a third edition of this directory of resources for people who have lost their jobs. The informational resource booklet features sections on surviving unemployment including:

• Psychological impact of job loss
• Employment rights and benefits
• Union benefits
• Managing your layoff
• Developing a job search plan

United Way works with the Jamestown Area Labor Council AFL-CIO to help organize this important publication.  For more on United Way's partnership with organized labor, including the annual Joseph H. Mason Community Service Award, click here.

A special Community Resources section includes vital information from United Way First Call For Help on financial assistance, food resources, unemployment/job counseling, emergency shelter, and substance abuse services. Project partners include the Dunkirk Area Labor Council, Jamestown Area Central Labor Council, Labor's Community Services Liaison Program, and United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

You can download a copy of Help When You Need it Most, or receive a free copy by calling United Way at 483-1561.

Neighborhood Revitalization Action Team (NRAT)

United Way is promoting the mission of the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission by working with neighborhood residents, city government, community organizations and businesses to:

Enhance the community as a special place to live, work, visit, and raise a family by being a model for efficient government emphasizing the partnerships of government (employees), business and citizens in continually improving the quality of life and prosperity of the area.

United Way's roles include:

• Recruiting community members
• Meet with neighborhood watch groups
• Map neighborhood assets and strengths
• Identify and minimize/correct neighborhood deficits

Partners are:

• Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission (JSPPC)
• City of Jamestown

For additional information contact Rich Fleurant .