Carrie Freeman & the United Way of Southern Chester County (UWSCC) have been important partners to Kennett Area Community Service (KACS). UWSCC has been the first to respond when KACS has had a crisis (a fire in Oct. 2020) and during the crisis of the pandemic Carrie Freeman & UWSCC have been encouraging, supportive and collaborative in solving problems, advising and making introductions to new partners we now need. With her leadership, kindness and creative problem-solving Carrie & UWSCC are fantastic partners in the community in many ways.
I have been active with the United Way of Southern Chester County (UWSCC) for many years. I first took notice of our UWSCC back in the 2000’s with the “Live Here, Give Here, Stays Here” billboard campaign. While I worked in another area, I was not aware of the needs of Southern Chester County. I started designating my donations through my employer to UWSCC.
I was then invited to serve on the Allocation Panel and I was exposed to many of the local programs that the UWSCC supports. The Allocation Panel process allows donors to serve on the panel and decide how much support should be given to the programs. The Panel interacts with the agencies and makes sure diligence is applied for fiscal responsibility as well as meeting the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. I was amazed by the needs of our community and the dedication of our partner agencies. I was also impressed with the UWSCC process and how much effort and support went into it. If you ever get the chance to serve on an Allocation Panel, I highly recommend doing it!
I then was invited to serve on the Board. I found the interaction between the Board and the CEO and her staff to be very cohesive and transparent. The Board is made up of 27 neighbors who are dedicated to seeing the most effective use of donor’s funds to improve lives in Southern Chester County. The CEO is integrated into the community like no other. The impact she and the UWSCC have is tremendous with over 17,000 people supported by the UWSCC each year.
This is a vibrant and dedicated United Way. The CEO, Staff and Board are working together to make Southern Chester County a better place to live for all. I have found all aspects of my interaction with UWSCC; donor, committee work, and Board Membership, to be very rewarding. The impact to the community is large while I trust the UWSCC and the CEO to use my time and donations in a very effective manner.
Having recently moved to the area, I am just now getting to know the community. I have been thoroughly impressed with the role that the United Way plays in facilitating solutions for needs that arise right here. It's impressive how many people know the United Way staff members here and how many of the EDs are quick to tell you how much support they get from this United Way, how often they interact with them and how everyone seems to REALLY care. It's a different (and better) experience than I have had wiht other United Ways in my past. I don't have a lot to give (I wish I had unlimited funds!) so when doing research into the local places that appealed to me is when I discovered this United Way and all that they do - ultimately, I gave to a few charities as well as nearly 1/2 of my donation budget to the United Way. I just feel that they have a better pulse on the needs of my community and can make better choices of who needs my money the most.