Our Programs and Initiatives

United Way of Chautauqua County works to strengthen our community not only through the programs we fund, but also through initiatives and experiences we facilitate directly. These programs connect people to resources, create opportunities for engagement, and mobilize residents, businesses, and volunteers to make a meaningful difference across Chautauqua County.

From educational workshops and workplace engagement opportunities to large-scale volunteer efforts and community-wide initiatives, these programs bring United Way’s mission to life in practical, visible ways.

roach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs on the ground while working with our community partners to address long term solutions.

Outreach & Offerings

United Way’s outreach programs are designed to educate, connect, and engage the community. Through workshops, workplace partnerships, and collaborative spaces, these offerings help individuals and organizations better understand local needs while providing meaningful ways to get involved.

THE ALICE EXPERIENCE

The ALICE Experience is a powerful two-hour workshop that helps participants better understand the financial realities facing many working families in our community. Through an interactive simulation, participants experience the difficult choices that households who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) must make every day while trying to afford basic needs like housing, food, and childcare.
Learn more about The ALICE Experience → Click here

BUSINESS MEETS COMMUNITY

Business Meets Community connects workplaces with opportunities to learn about local challenges while giving back. Through experiences like Impact Tours, The ALICE Experience, and Day of Caring, businesses can engage their teams in meaningful community learning and volunteerism.
Learn more about Business Meets Community → Click here

CENTRAL AVE CoWork

Located in United Way’s Dunkirk office, Central Ave CoWork provides free workspace for nonprofit organizations serving Chautauqua County. With reservable hot desks and a meeting room, the space offers a supportive, low-barrier environment for collaboration, planning, and mission-driven work.
Learn more about Central Ave CoWork → Click here

Volunteer Events & Impact Initiatives

Each year, United Way mobilizes volunteers and partners through initiatives that support families, strengthen youth opportunities, and improve quality of life across Chautauqua County. These events demonstrate the power of community action — bringing together individuals, businesses, and organizations to create meaningful impact.

COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER

The annual Community Baby Shower is a county-wide collection drive that gathers essential items for at-risk mothers and their newborn babies. Through donations from individuals and businesses, this initiative helps provide local families with the resources needed to give their children a healthy start in life.
Learn more about Community Baby Shower → Click here

DAY OF CARING

Day of Caring brings volunteers together to complete hands-on service projects at nonprofit agencies, schools, and community sites throughout Chautauqua County. From painting and landscaping to organizing supplies and assisting programs, volunteers contribute their time and talents to strengthen local organizations.
Learn more about Day of Caring → Click here

GIRLS IN SPORTS

Girls in Sports introduces young girls to a variety of athletic activities while building confidence, leadership, and mentorship connections. In partnership with local organizations and collegiate athletes, participants have the opportunity to explore sports, develop new skills, and discover the joy of staying active.
Learn more about Girls In Sports → Click here

LITERACY WEEK

Literacy Week brings volunteers into classrooms across Chautauqua County to read with elementary students and encourage a love of learning. Each participating student receives a new book to take home, reinforcing the importance of reading and helping inspire lifelong literacy.
Learn more about Literacy Week → Click here

VITA

Through the VITA program, IRS-certified volunteers provide free tax preparation services for eligible individuals and families. This initiative helps residents claim valuable tax credits and keep more of the money they’ve earned.
Learn more about VITA → Click here

Coalition Work

COALITION OF WOMEN & GIRLS 

The Coalition of Women & Girls seeks to provide opportunities for women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to thrive as they focus on women and finance, women in leadership, and supporting women2women mentoring. United Way of Chautauqua County is the fiscal agent for the Coalition.
Learn more about The Coalition of Women & Girls → Click here

EMPIRE STATE POVERTY REDUCTION INITIATIVE

In September 2016, United Way of Chautauqua County was selected as the lead agency for the City of Jamestown’s Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI). With the Mayor’s office, UWCHQ convened a Taskforce of key stakeholders in the community, including those with lived experience in poverty. 

Over the course of a year during Phase I of the grant, the Taskforce examined demographics, labor statistics, held community conversations and listening sessions, and hosted a series of Community Improvement workshops. In August 2017, UWCHQ and the ESPRI Taskforce released a Request for Proposal for transformational projects, ones that showed innovation and collaboration.
Learn more about ESPRI → Click here

I.D.E.A. COALITION

Formed in 2020, United Way of Chautauqua County served as the backbone agency for the I.D.E.A. Coalition (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility). The mission of the I.D.E.A. Coalition is to make Chautauqua County a place where everyone belongs and has opportunities to thrive, especially those who have been historically marginalized. In March 2024, United Way transitioned the backbone agency role to the YWCA Jamestown – an agency whose mission includes ending Racism and whose programs and services provided closer contact with those that would be directly impacted by the coalition's work.
Learn more about The I.D.E.A. → Click here

THE VICKYE JAMES "BLUEPRINT" FUND

Vickye James was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way for seven years and served as Board President from 2008-2010. She was one of only four female presidents during the 122-year history of United Way, and the only African American to ever serve as president. She was passionate about serving her community, empowering youth, and giving voice to historically marginalized people in the City of Jamestown. A well-respected leader in city government, the church, and the nonprofit sector, she was widely known for working for social justice and saw leadership development as a path to achieving it.

One of her accomplishments during her tenure at United Way was to support the implementation of “Project Blueprint,” a multi-year initiative that helped promote volunteerism on nonprofit boards and committees—with a special focus on people of color—by guiding participants in acquiring skills necessary for board membership through training, exposure, and direction.

In honor of her legacy, United Way created the Vickye James Blueprint Fund.
For more information about the Vickye James "Blueprint" Fund, email arohler@unitedwaychq.org.