United Charities, which provides shelter for adolescents in need of housing, received a First Federal Charitable Foundation grant to make updates to its housing facility in West Hazleton.
United Charities nurtures at-risk males between the ages of 6 and 21 who may have a variety of emotional, behavioral, academic and family problems. In addition to offering shelter for the boys, the organization provides them with a balance of safe keeping, education and assistance that will help them evolve into mature adults with promising futures.
The organization is housed in a building that has been part of the Greater Hazleton area for 127 years and needs a variety of repairs. In addition to the front of the building needing major fixing, the walls, ceilings and floors inside the house need to be painted and/or replaced, and water damage and deterioration from everyday wear and tear needs to be addressed.
United Charities, which is a nonprofit that survives solely on county payments, also plans to use some of the funding to complete payment for four new windows on the first floor and purchase durable, wooden bunk beds.
In addition to the housing services for young males, the organization runs its own material and food assistance program out of its business office. The program runs Monday through Friday for all individuals in need and offers free food, clothing, baby needs, household needs and more.
United Charities was established in 1893 and has maintained its mission to enhance the quality of life for children and families in Greater Hazleton. Since that time, the organization has served as a Humane Society, tuberculosis society and, during World War I, as a part of the Red Cross.
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation that are located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.