WHAT ARE THE MOST CRITICAL NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY?
We all take great pride that our hometown is a wonderful place to live. However there are critical needs* that we must address, together as a community, in order to continue making remarkable progress and advancing the common good. • Youth settling disputes with guns and children living in fear that they may be hurt in the cross-fire. • More than 1/3 of all Allegheny County fifth graders can not adequately read – a basic skill needed by the end of 3rd grade when we are expected to use reading skills to learn in other academic areas such as science and social studies. • In far too many of our high schools, 1 in 2 students drop out. • Approximately 80% of all care provided to older people in our country is provided by family members. Here in Allegheny County almost 1 of every 5 citizens is a senior and a growing number of older seniors – those 85 years of age and older – live alone and with a disability. • The economic downturn has resulted in dramatic increases in calls to United Way’s
