Hazleton, PA – Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania (FSA NEPA) announces that the United Way of Greater Hazleton is generously awarding a grant of $10,000.00 in support of the PA 211 NE/Help Line (Help Line) Program.
The United Way of Greater Hazleton was created in 1928, under the leadership of the local Chamber of Commerce. The organization was renamed the Welfare Council of the Middle Coal Field District in 1940, and renamed the Welfare Council of Hazleton and Vicinity in 1942. In 1950, the council received a new home at the Desiroth Community Center. Two years later, its name was changed again – to the Greater Hazleton Community Chest and Council. The organization became the Greater Hazleton United Fund in 1965. The present name, United Way of Greater Hazleton, Inc., was adopted in 1975. Today, the organization has 15 member agencies. They were collectively responsible for answering more than 150,000 instances of need in the community each year.
“The United Way of Greater Hazleton knows the importance of Help Line and we want to ensure that the services it provides will continue.’” Said United Way of Greater Hazleton President/C.E.O. Gary Perna Jr.
Help Line is a free 24/7/365 information and referral service covering a 17 county region which provides callers with access to urgent human service needs. Individuals call with needs ranging from access to food, shelter, utilities, and clothing all the way to struggles with mental health, drugs & alcohol, and other concerns regarding daily essential needs. Caseworkers will then connect these callers with resources and information local to their zip code or in cases of crisis make hand-offs to the appropriate organizations to ensure that lives are saved.
The FSA NEPA was established in 1895 by a group of involved and concerned members of the community to provide diverse services to children, individuals, seniors, and families empowering them to achieve their full potential through building healthier relationships and stronger communities.
“We are honored and delighted to have received this additional funding from UW Hazleton for our PA 211 Northeast/ Help Line Program. This will help us to be able to continue to provide 24/7 services to those in our community by assisting with keeping our lines staffed by trained caseworkers.” said Help Line Director Aimie Voelker.
From left to right: Gary Perna, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Hazleton, Michele Plath, PA 211 NE/ Help Line Senior Caseworker, Theresa Jones, PA 211 NE/Help Line Coordinator Entry Specialist, David Kale, Senior Grant Writer and Communications Manager for FSA NEPA, Aimie Voelker, PA 211 NE/ Help Line Director