United Way Launches Online Apparel Shop for Fundraiser

The shop will feature different designs throughout the year to raise awareness of various groups in United Way's commitment to embrace diversity and inclusion in our community. The inaugural design features a rainbow LIVE UNITED to celebrate LGBT Pride Month.

United Way of Franklin County is dedicated to building a community where all individuals and families achieve their potential through education, income stability, and healthy living. This is why we take the broadest possible view of diversity to provide each community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee equal access to community programs and resources.

“It is our duty as a community organization to ensure outreach and service to all individuals, including these groups more at-risk to financial hardships.”

As we strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in our daily work, we're excited to announce the launch of an online apparel shop selling T-shirts, sweatshirts, bags, and more. The inaugural design features a rainbow "LIVE UNITED" tagline in celebration of Pride Month this June. There are also options to have the United Way credo printed on the back. Proceeds from shop sales will be used through United Way to support programs addressing early learning, healthy living, and financial stability.

As United Way of Franklin County and other United Ways across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prepare to announce results of the ALICE® report later in June, we recognize the data reveals certain groups are more at-risk to financial hardships. These groups include racial and cultural minorities, women, people with special needs, and LGBTQ individuals. It is our duty as a community organization to ensure outreach and service to all individuals, including these identified groups. Therefore, we embrace our Statement of Diversity and Inclusion to fight for education, income stability, and health for everyone in Franklin County.

Through the online apparel shop, we aim to spread awareness of the strength and power of minority groups in coordination with national months - such as LGBT Pride Month in June.

Pride Month recognizes the impact LGBTQ citizens have on our communities. Pride promotes the self-affirmation, dignity, and equal rights of LGBTQ people. Celebrations across the globe help increase their visibility as a social group and build community. Pride will be celebrated locally on Sunday, August 4 at the Pride Franklin County festival.

ALICE (which stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) Report findings will be released in our community in late June. The research will help quantify and describe the number of households in our community struggling to make ends meet. Stay tuned for the ALICE Report and subsequent initiatives to raise awareness of and find solutions for ALICE.