What is the Community Improvement Center?
The Community Improvement Center (CIC), established in 2004, grew out of Western Crawford County’s Annual Make A Difference Day event as a way to meet the critical need in our community to make area homes safe and accessible. The CIC’s mission is to coordinate and mobilize volunteers to complete home improvement projects that benefit those with special needs and/or a limited income.
What Kind of Work Does the Community Improvement Center Perform?
The CIC performs various home improvement projects, including but not limited to the building of wheelchair ramps, weatherization, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, and general yard maintenance.
How Does this Work?
The majority of CIC projects are performed by local contractors and volunteers. There is a core committee of volunteers that coordinates project requests and site visits. Projects are supervised by volunteers who are skilled in that particular area of expertise – carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, etc.
Who Gets Paid?
Projects completed by local contractors are paid with the assistance of homeowners and/or available grant funds. Materials for volunteer-led projects are paid through generous donations to United Way.
Who is Eligible?
In order to be eligible for a CIC project, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You must own your home/property and live in it - proof of home ownership (deed, property taxes, etc.)
- Home cannot be located in a flood plain (FEMA Flood Map Service Center | Search By Address.)
- You must live in Western Crawford County, including:
- Adamsville
- Atlantic
- Hartstown
- Cochranton
- Conneaut Lake
- Guys Mills
- Meadville
- Cambridge Springs
- Conneautville
- Harmonsburg
- Linesville/Espyville
- Saegertown
- Springboro
- Venango
- You must document that your household’s income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines - proof of income (W-2, tax return, Social Security statement, pension, retirement, etc.)
Among the applicants who meet these requirements, we place priority on candidates who exhibit poor health due to disability or illness, who are veterans and/or who are age 60 and older.
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How Do I Apply?
To get an application, you can request one by calling the United Way offices at (814) 337-1251. All applications should be completed and mailed to the following address:
Community Improvement Center
c/o United Way of Western Crawford County
PO Box 554
Meadville PA 16335
Once we receive your application, we will call to confirm that we have received it. We will then schedule a site visit and continue to evaluate the project based on our resources and the homeowner’s exact needs. We strive to assess the applications on a project-by-project basis to ensure that we use our resources effectively.
How Do I Volunteer?
The CIC is always looking for new volunteers to work with us! We need volunteers from the Crawford County area with a range of skills and skill levels to assist us in completing projects all year long. Whether you are a veteran construction worker, a gardener, a student, or just interested in doing community service, we need your help! If your organization is looking for projects to fulfill community service hours, please contact us. We can help you find someone in your neighborhood who would benefit from your talents.
Who Do I Contact with Other Questions?
Do you know of someone who could use our help? Can’t do the labor and want to help us in another way? Please do not hesitate to contact the United Way of Western Crawford County by calling (814) 337-1251 or by emailing uway@uwaywestcc.org
Financial donations are greatly appreciated. 100% of donations are designated to projects and supplies.