Centre County United Way has a new home in downtown State College.
The nonprofit organization moved on June 1 from its longtime office on Pine Grove Road in Pine Grove Mills to 131 S. Fraser St., Suite 3, below the Fraser Street Parking Garage and next to the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. The location was most recently home to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, which moved to West Beaver Avenue.
CCUW’s move offers the organization a more central location for its service area and room for growth.
“We want to build a stronger connection with our partners, donors, volunteers and the individuals who are supported by our programs,” CCUW Executive Director Leanne Lenz said in a statement. “While our Pine Grove Mills office was good to us over the years, we have found that since the pandemic, folks are less likely to ‘stop by’ if they must make a trip out of their way. Being downtown allows us to interact with the community daily.”
Lenz said that, within just a few days, staff have already seen a large increase in visitors.
“It is important to note that we are focused on all of Centre County…not just State College,” Lenz said Our new location in downtown State College is a more central location with better access for everyone,” Lenz noted.
The more visible and accessible location is also important as the organization aims for a 2022 campaign goal of $2.2 million, its biggest target ever.
“It is vital to our success that we build new relationships with local businesses and continue to nurture the donor relationships we already have,” Ja Nae Wian, campaign and relationship manager, said. “Being in the heart of the Martin Luther King Plaza on South Fraser Street, with neighbors like the CBICC, Downtown Improvement District, LEADERSHIP and Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is a terrific opportunity for us.”
The new location will provide an opportunity for more outdoor events, as well. Visitors attending Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts July 14-17 will be able to participate in a hands-on art installation near the office and CCUW will hold its 2022 campaign kickoff event on Aug. 17 in the MLK Plaza
