Our History

On December 5, 1930, fourteen community leaders filed the Articles of Incorporation for the "Greater Johnstown Community Chest".  As stated in the document, the corporation was formed "to afford the people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and vicinity, an opportunity, through a common fund, to contribute to, and have expended for, the well-being of their fellows, to strengthen the spirit of human helpfulness, to endeavor to eliminate and prevent disease, pauperism, delinquency and other social disorders; and to finance the maintenance requirements of, and otherwise assist in, and harmonize the work of the civic, charitable, humane, benevolent and philanthropic organizations of the community, and to be the center of communication between such organizations; and for these purposes to have, possess and enjoy all the rights, benefits and privileges of the said Act of Assembly and its supplements".
 
Today, the United Way of the Laurel Highlands (UWLH), is an independent, volunteer-driven, community leading organization responsible for creating, expanding, and accelerating positive social change in Cambria and Somerset Counties. Most recently, we have most recently been working to build a framework around shared community goals, collaborative actions, evidence-based outcomes, and investment and sustainability. We evaluate, measure and report to the community the positive change that occurs around targeted social change initiatives.