Thriving nonprofits create stronger, more resilient communities in the Alleghenies
By Cara Aungst
Recent news articles confirm something that people living in the Alleghenies have known for a long time: The region does a great job at creating a place to live, work and play. The area has been named a top place to retire due to access to medicine, recreation and retirement communities, and a top place to live in the United States, because of its favorable housing costs, access to education and income growth. It’s filled with outdoor recreation from boating to hiking to rock climbing and boasts small towns with room to breathe.
The Alleghenies don’t offer all these livability benefits by chance, though. To make all this happen, it requires a massive effort in the form of volunteerism and nonprofit organizations. We talked with some organizations that are deeply invested in giving back to their community to make it better.
Health and wellness: “Everyone deserves a healthy and safe environment.”
Since 2015, 1889 Foundation has invested over $31 million in the Cambria-Somerset region in support of programs and initiatives working to help improve the overall health and wellness of those counties by improving the length and quality of life of its residents.
Just this last year, the foundation invested $4.3 million into the community.
“Some of the ways that funding was able to make an impact, include funding organizations such as the Women’s Help Center and the Next Step Center, [and] emergency shelter and homelessness support and resources were provided to more than 1,200 adults and children, totalling over 11,700 nights of shelter,” Foundation President Susan M. Mann said. “[This year], 804 children and more than 2011 adults received food, and nearly 100 houses of homeowners in need have been rehabilitated in the Johnstown area and kept from becoming blighted properties.”
She says that the foundation is a vital community resource because it provides necessary funding through grants, community leadership and advocacy efforts to help improve the overall health of the Cambria-Somerset region.
The foundation is involved throughout the community, from supporting initiatives that reduce medical and social barriers to care, to providing mentoring and food to at-risk children — all with the goal of improving the length and quality of life for the area’s residents.
“Every individual deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment because these are fundamental rights that enable us to thrive, grow and reach our fullest potential.”
“Every individual deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment because these are fundamental rights that enable us to thrive, grow and reach our fullest potential,” she said. “When we all come together and volunteer our time and skills, we contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities.”
Bringing the community together, for good
The United Way of the Southern Alleghenies (UWSA) was originally founded as a “community chest” of combined support to eliminate poverty in the Southern Alleghenies, but nearly 100 years later, it has expanded to much, much more. Today, it supports the health, wellbeing, education and economic stability of local residents and helps to fund the vital work of partner agencies, ensuring that area residents have the programs and services they need to thrive.
“UWSA supports nearly 40 families a week through our fresh food initiative, SNAP at the Market, and aids 18 food pantries and two community meal programs in improving food security,” President and CEO Karen Struble Myers said. “More than 700 children receive warm winter wear, and 32,220 people avoided homelessness, were provided with utility assistance and domestic violence support services … Overall, more than 82,000 individuals were served through our direct programming and the work of our 34 Partner Agencies.”
She said that getting involved in the United Way and volunteering in general, is a great way to boost the livability of our hometowns.
“Volunteering is a wonderful way to have a direct impact and support the programs you care most about.”
“When you support your local United Way, you are investing in parent engagement programming, early childhood education, youth drug and alcohol prevention and a host of essential services in the region. Volunteering is a wonderful way to have a direct impact and support the programs you care most about,” she said.
Stewarding the area’s natural beauty
The Friends of Trough Creek and Warriors Path State Parks are stewards of both parks’ natural beauty, educating visitors and maintaining the parks’ resources to expand opportunities for recreation in all seasons.
The group is dedicated to looking after both Trough Creek and Warriors Path Parks, explaining on its website: “Our parks are small but the history that lives in each one runs deep. It tells the story of our area and what it took to get to where they are today.”
The group meets throughout the month, doing various projects like gathering and bundling firewood to sell, volunteering at the Trough Creek Gravel Grinder Bike Race and, significantly, creating and installing a playground at Trough Creek State Park.
The playground, which came to fruition after a three-year wood-selling fundraiser, was opened in 2023. Group Chairman Adam Watson said that the project had been a dream of the group since its inception in 2019, and noted that even though the volunteer organization was small, it could accomplish great things. “None of us have done this alone, it has taken a team effort by all and a team effort has been given. I thank all of our working members for their tireless effort in making this project a success,” he said at the ribbon cutting.
Today, the group is hard at work, hosting pumpkin carving events, leading educational hikes through historic cemeteries, and beautifying parks that are close to their hearts, as shown in a recent Facebook post: “We always have a good time while working very hard. We love our two state parks that we represent, which are just beautiful!”
Ready to give back?
Click on any of the links above to connect with the featured organizations, or search for a nonprofit in your own hometown. Your time, talent or treasure is deeply needed and makes a direct impact on the community where you live. Let’s make the Alleghenies even safer, better connected and more beautiful!
