At United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, we believe that advocacy work goes hand in hand with direct services provided by our partners to improve lives and create real change in our region. In spring 2026, we released our updated Policy and Advocacy Priorities, organized around three big ideas:
- Positioning 211 as an innovative partner to state and local government, connecting people easily and effectively to services so that individuals and families can thrive.
- Supporting families and helping households grow their potential to earn.
- Helping workers attain and retain employment and remain on track when a crisis occurs.
These build on our 2025 Inaugural Policy Report, which was organized around four essential themes: digital access, economic stability for families, education & youth and food access for all.