In those 28 years, funding levels have varied based on the recommendations of the volunteers who annually examine each agency for need, effectiveness and accountability. This review is completed on an annual basis for each agency receiving United Way funding. VolunteerMatch allows individuals to select a volunteer opportunity on-line that matches their interest, schedule, and geographic location. Simply log onto the Web site through the United Way of Erie County s homepage and complete the request form. VolunteerMatch will provide a directory of local organizations, along with a corresponding description of each available volunteer position.
Individuals can request more informaiton by email for a one-time or ongoing opportunity.
VolunteerMatch also offers virtual volunteering for individuals who find it more convenient to lend a helping hand via the computer rather than in person. The action plans are developed by individuals within each community, resulting in more unified neighborhoods. In addition, the community approach takes into consideration the diverse nature of our Erie residents and their differing concerns, making the results accurate and inclusive. In order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each community, United Way will be issuing surveys to 18,000 households in Erie and conducting community forums. In addition to English, the surveys will be translated into Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.