United Way, Philadelphia Cares Merge

United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia Cares have signed an agreement to merge, effective Jan. 1.

According to a release, this merger of missions will provide meaningful volunteer and community engagement opportunities for individuals, community groups and corporations alike throughout the region.

As a result of the merger, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania will form the Community Action Center, which will engage and mobilize individuals in support of service, as well as promote community involvement, throughout Greater Philadelphia. The Center will also provide a seamless connection through which the nonprofit sector can provide volunteer opportunities and volunteers can connect to important issues and needs in their communities.

“We know this partnership will only serve to strengthen the culture of volunteerism that is ingrained in our region,” said Jill Michal, president and CEO, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Together, we’ll be better equipped to connect the ‘want’ of volunteers to the real needs of the region, mobilizing this powerful force to drive real impact in our community.”

Martin Molloy, CEO of Greater Philadelphia Cares, will become Director of the Community Action Center at United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. All members of Greater Philadelphia Cares’ Board of Directors have been invited to serve on United Way’s Civic Engagement Vision Council, which oversees the organization’s civic engagement work, and will help the organization determine the expansion of existing programs, and the development of new programs. GPC Board Chair Erica Atwood will also serve as member of UWSEPA’s Community Impact Strategy Committee, which oversees all of its community investments.

“For close to 20 years, Greater Philadelphia Cares has played an important role in connecting volunteers to opportunities throughout the Philadelphia region,” said Erica Atwood. “We know that this role will only be enhanced and strengthened by partnering with an organization as community-minded as United Way.”

For more information on the Community Action Center, or to find a volunteer opportunity, visit www.LIVEUNITEDsepa.org/volunteer.