Partners

Victim Services Provides Update on Domestic Violence in Cambria, Somerset

BY RICK KAZMER

United Way of the Laurel Highlands

 

When talking with Erika Brosig and Jessica Piro about their work at Victim Services, one word keeps coming up: trauma. 

People experience physical trauma during harmful events such as vehicle accidents. Emotional trauma is harder to identify, but can be equally debilitating for people. 

"Traumatic events effect everyone differently," Jessica Piro, the agency's safe housing coordinator, said. "Because of the pandemic, I might be OK, but you might not." 

'We gave him hope': Shelter staff outlines homelessness concerns in Somerset County

By RICK KAZMER

United Way of the Laurel Highlands

 

There are many reasons people become homeless. 

Lisa Wengerd, who runs Next Step Center, Somerset County's homeless shelter, said addiction and a lack of affordable housing options are among the top. 

"We need more options for affordable housing," Wengerd said. She has been the executive director of the center, located along Stoystown Road in Somerset, since 2013. "It's difficult for peo

ple on a fixed income." 

United Way Part of Early Childhood Initiative

(Note: This information was released by Vision Together 2025 about an initiative the United Way of the Laurel Highlands is involved with in early childhood education and development.)

Several organizations in Johnstown are working to develop an Early Childhood Initiative with a mission of improving the educational, health and social needs of our youngest, most vulnerable residents (birth to age 8).

Here's how Nurse-Family Partnership is helping first-time moms

BY RICK KAZMER

United Way of the Laurel Highlands

At 18 months old, registered nurse Lisa Miller wants to see the children she works with walking, following directions and using fine motor skills. 

"Grab and grasp," she said, describing some of the benchmarks she notes, including turning doorknobs. 

Miller is the supervisor for Nurse-Family Partnership in Somerset and Bedford counties, a program implemented by Home Nursing Agency, part of UPMC Home Healthcare of Central Pennsylvania. 

PA 211 key takeaways: January call volume report

2/24/21 – There were 142 people from Cambria County who called the United Way’s Pennsylvania 211 network in January. 
 
The free call center, made possible in part by the United Way of the Laurel Highlands, connects people in need to crucial services. The Cambria County call volume was up from 116 callers in December and from 30 a year ago. There were 17 text contacts, two chats and 27 web contacts, all increases from a year ago. 
 

PA 211 is still here, from hello to help, as pandemic-driven needs persist in the Laurel Highlands

 2/1/21 - Johnstown, PA – On Feb. 11, PA 211 Day, United Way of the Laurel Highlands joins United Way of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania 211 network to celebrate how PA 211 has supported our community during the pandemic, and to re-commit to being one phone call, text message or web search away for our neighbors as our community builds back from the pandemic.  
 
 
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