On December 5, 1930, 14 community leaders filed the Articles of Incorporation for the "Greater Johnstown Community Chest".  As stated in the document, the corporation was formed "to afford the people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and vicinity, an opportunity, through a common fund, to contribute to, and have expended for, the well-being of their fellows, to strengthen the spirit of human helpfulness, to endeavor to eliminate and prevent disease, pauperism, delinquency and other social disorders; and to finance the maintenance requirements of, and otherwise assist in, and harmonize the work of the civic, charitable, humane, benevolent and philanthropic organizations of the community, and to be the center of communication between such organizations; and for these purposes to have, possess and enjoy all the rights, benefits and privileges of the said Act of Assembly and its supplements".

 

Today, the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies (UWSA), is an independent, volunteer-driven, community leading organization responsible for creating, expanding, and accelerating positive social change in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties. Most recently, we have been working to build a framework around shared community goals, collaborative actions, evidence-based outcomes, and investment, and sustainability. We evaluate, measure, and report to the community the positive change that occurs around targeted social change initiatives. In 2023 UWSA merged with United Way of Blair County, expanding the organization's service area and impact.