The Mckean County Historical Society, located in Smethport, Pennsylvania, is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of McKean County. One of the purposes of the Society is to promote and encourage the interest of our community in its history and to also share that history with visitors. This is achieved through the museum and public programs sponsored by the Society. 

The Society is a nonprofit organization. The funding received from United Way is used to help us conserve artifacts so they can be used to provide displays and humanities programs to tell our story.

With the support of the United Way of the Bradford Area, CARE is able to provide distinct and vital pediatric services in McKean County and the surrounding region and truly make a difference in the lives of children..

All Bradford United Way monies are used to fund the Toddler Program which is facilitated through Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services. This program is designed to aide struggling or low-income families with children ages 1-3/ The goal for this program is for each client to leave with a better understanding of their child’s needs, development and be able to better meet those needs and provide a better life for their child and themselves. 

Through the generous donation from the United Way of Bradford Area, A Partnership in Housing has been able to successfully provide Financial Literacy education to householders that have limited income. Successful participants have learned better money management to prevent eviction. A quote by one of our participants sums up our program, “ I have learned there is a fine line between getting what you want and getting what you need. This has helped me so much.” 

CASA of McKean County

Destinations Bradford

Dickinson Center

McKean County 2-1-1

McKean County Arts Council

McKean/Potter American Red Cross

The Salvation Army

Hamlin Memorial Library

Smethport Memorial Recreation Center

Port Allegany Area Recreation Authority

Port Allegany Community Service

Port Allegany Fire Department

Port Allegany Youth Counselors

The United Way began in 1925 and to date has raised $21,024,508

The Greater Bradford Senior Activity Center is a vital part of the senior community. With the help of the United Way we are able to offer individuals aged 60 and older several age related programs, a place to socialize with their peers, to continue being independent, and other various activities.

Through the generous partnership of the United Way of the Bradford Area, inc. Bradford Ecumenical Home, Inc. is able to provide programming and activities that reinforces older adults contributing to the life of their community. Avenues for lifelong learning via the Arts, programming that honor our Veterans, or senior wellness initiatives, our residents enjoy a quality of life that serves as an outlet for creative expressions and increased social interactions. 

The beds at the YWCA Bradford’s Homeless Shelter are constantly full with a consistent wait list. The United Way supported our efforts to expand services include six additional beds and handicapped accessible space. With this support, services increased to include single men, nuclear families, and single fathers. Local dollars stay local when you give to the United Way.

United Way dollars have helped the YWCA provide for an elderly, homeless veteran sleeping under a bridge in Bradford; a woman who’s housing had been condemned, leaver her to live in a tent; a middle-aged veteran who lost his job and had no place to sleep; a young woman, with two young children, who were living in her car after her housing was condemned. Because of this support, these households were able to secure permanent housing while receiving services from the YWCA.

The Port Allegany Campaign for the United Way sponsors family engagements and early literacy in our community by funding Story Hour at the S. W. Smith Memorial Public Library. Children and adults learn through play stations and group activities at our library!

The United Way works to support families in obtaining evidence based early learning opportunities for children by supporting Parents as Teachers, a home-based early learning program, and the Bradford Family Center Parent-Child group.