Donation will help launch the Community
Schools Model at Erie High School in Erie, Pa. and address barriers for students
and families living in poverty
ERIE,
Pa., June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie
Insurance (ERIE) today
announced a $1 million donation to
United Way of Erie County, a
social impact organization focused on breaking the cycle of
generational poverty through education in Erie, Pa. ERIE's donation will help launch the Community
Schools Model at Erie High School, a proven strategy for improving
academic growth, addressing students' and families' basic needs,
increasing engagement, boosting attendance and enhancing school
culture.
In announcing ERIE's donation,
President and CEO Tim NeCastro emphasized that United Way's
Community Schools Model helps advance student success by meeting
students' and families' basic needs and building trusted
relationships.
"What I've learned working closely with United Way and our local
school leaders is that nonacademic barriers are holding students
back. These barriers are a lack of basic needs that we take for
granted: food, clothing, personal hygiene and safety," said
NeCastro. "These are challenges children in our community face
every day, and these are the challenges the Community Schools Model
is helping to address."
With funding from Erie Insurance and other community partners,
United Way will hire community school directors for Erie High
School and provide inside-the-school support that includes health,
vision and dental care, clothing and personal hygiene items, family
engagement opportunities and expanded learning time and enrichment
programs.
"Erie Insurance has long supported education in our region and
the work of United Way," said Laurie
Root, president of United Way of Erie County. "We are very grateful for Erie
Insurance's support of the Community Schools Model, removing
barriers for children and families in our community and helping us
build a brighter future for students today and for generations to
come."
Launched in 2016, the United Way Community Schools Model today
serves nearly 10,000 students and their families in 16 schools in
northwest Pennsylvania. The
expansion of Community Schools to Erie High School will also bring
continuity to the Community Schools support students and families
have already had in the city's elementary and middle schools.
One of those schools is Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, a
public school located in one the city's poorest zip codes and
blocks from Erie Insurance's home office campus in downtown
Erie. Erie Insurance has been the
Pfeiffer-Burleigh 'Adopt-a-School' partner for more than 30 years.
In 2016, Erie Insurance officially became the corporate partner for
the school through United Way's Community Schools initiative.
Erie Insurance is United Way of Erie
County's largest workplace giving partner. Last year, Erie
Insurance employee contributions and the company's matching gifts
program totaled nearly $700,000 in
support of United Way of Erie
County and United Way organizations throughout the company's
footprint.
Beyond support for Community Schools, Erie Insurance gives annually
to various education nonprofits to support learning and expand
education programs in Northwest
Pennsylvania and across the communities it serves.
About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in
Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th
largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and
13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums
written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company
and the 17th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net
premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has nearly 7 million policies in force
and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more
information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company