Our History
About United Way of the River Cities
In 1887, a Denver woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi got together… It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but they didn’t walk into a bar; what they did do was recognize the need to work together in new ways to make Denver a better place.
Frances Wisebart Jacobs, the Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J.O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put together an idea that became the nation’s first united campaign, benefiting 10 area health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to collect the funds for local charities, to coordinate relief services, to counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and to make emergency assistance grants for cases that could not be referred. That year, Denver raised $21,700 for this greater good, and created a movement that would become United Way.
Today’s United Way is bringing people, organizations and communities together around a common cause, a common vision, and a common path forward. In many communities, we’re the only nonprofit building up the cornerstones of healthy community, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resilience — and the only nonprofit bringing people together from all walks of life to be a part of local solutions.
United Way of the River Cities impacts more than 60,000 lives across the region. We can do this because we have spent more than a century developing deep roots and trust in the communities we serve. That strong foundation provides us with the resources, reputation and relationships needed to bring people and organizations together around innovative solutions.
United Way of the River Cities is a nonpartisan organization focused on communities. Bridging divides and bringing our communities together to solve our most pressing needs is at the core of what we do at United Way.
TIMELINE
1922
In Cabell County the civic department of the Huntington Women’s Club, in an attempt to improve communication and cooperation among area human-need agencies, organized the Council of Social Agencies in 1920. Their goals included combining programs which overlapped and developing new programs to address unmet needs. Through this organization, the Community Chest was founded in July 1922 to be the fund raising arm for these efforts.
1954
The name United Fund was adopted, replacing Community Chest. The basic function remained the same, serving as a fund raiser for the community. Planning and fund distribution were in the hands of the Community Welfare Council (formerly Council of Social Agencies).
1959
United Fund and Community Welfare Council agreed to merge, and became known as the United Community Services.
1977
As services began to spread throughout two counties, the organization took on the name United Way of Cabell-Wayne.
1986
United Way of Cabell-Wayne and Lawrence County United Way merged to become the River Cities United Way, Inc.
1987
Our organization name changed to what we know today, United Way of the River Cities, Inc.
Today
United Way of the River Cities envisions a community where everyone has the tools and opportunity to thrive. It is our mission to connect our community with resources to reduce poverty and improve lives.
We do this through the 6 counties we serve – Cabell, Lincoln, Mason and Wayne counties in West Virginia, and Gallia and Lawrence counties in Ohio:
- by providing funds through a competitive grant process to more than two dozen programs that work in the areas of health, education, financial stability, and basic needs;
- by managing internal programs and coalitions that work throughout local schools, community centers and businesses to connect people and bridge resources;
- by convening local leaders to address needs and connect resources to improve services to those in the River Cities;
- by connecting local nonprofits with needed volunteers;
- by connecting people like you, who want to make a difference.
As you can see, we’ve changed over the years to address the challenges of a changing world. But the one that thing hasn’t changed is our focus on improving lives and strengthening communities.
