A Short History of the United Way of Ashtabula County

The United Way movement traces its origins to 1887 when a rabbi, a priest and two ministers in Denver formed the Charity Organization Society.  They were responding to the needs of hundreds of families that had traveled to the Rocky Mountain area to find work in the mines and ended up in poverty and deplorable living conditions.  The Charity Organization Society planned and coordinated local services for the needy and conducted a fundraising effort to benefit ten separate charities.  The idea of a unified effort to raise funds for many charities was an appealing one and it soon spread to other communities.

The United Way of Ashtabula County began operation in 1920 through the efforts of labor and civic leaders and volunteers from local charities.  We were known then as the Ashtabula Community Fund.  In 1938 we changed our name to the Ashtabula Community Chest and adopted the Red Feather symbol that was being used by most Community Chests across the country.

The name was changed again in 1952 to the United Fund of Ashtabula County. Some years later, a similar but separate local organization, the Ashtabula County Welfare Federation, merged with the United Fund.  In the late 1960’s the name United Way was first used by organizations in other communities.  We adopted that name in 1974 and became the United Way of Ashtabula County.

In many ways, our current role is similar to the group that formed in Denver so many years ago.  We operate an annual fundraising appeal throughout Ashtabula County, and the money we raise supports over twenty local charities.  We conduct our fundraising campaign with the help of hundreds of volunteers.  Other volunteers determine how to fairly distribute the money to deserving organizations.

Our current mission is different from those earlier organizations becaues we now do more to assess the critical needs in Ashtabula County.  We also use the funding we give out to address specific problem areas.  The role of our United Way continues to evolve as the needs of Ashtabula County residents change.  But one thing that won't change is our commitment to making Ashtabula County a better place in which to live.