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United Way of Chester County has purchased and renovated a 5,000 square foot stand-alone building, located at 150 John Robert Thomas Drive in the Commons at Lincoln Center in Exton, that will serve as the permanent new headquarters for United Way of Chester County staff as well as host a Social Innovation Lab, Leadership Training Center and Financial Independence Hub for the community. The center is expected to be completed and ready to open in late September.<\/p>\n
The decision to buy a building was not on the radar for the organization, but with the current office lease entering its final year and an<\/span> increase<\/span> in<\/span> rent,<\/span> the<\/span> Board<\/span> of Directors decided<\/span> that<\/span> this<\/span> strategic<\/span> move<\/span> was<\/span> necessary to<\/span> set the<\/span> United<\/span> Way up<\/span> for<\/span> the next <\/span>generation. United Way of Chester County looked at the new building in February 2022 and closed on the sale on June 1. Demolition and renovation started quickly afterwards.<\/p>\n \u201cUnited Way of Chester County is beyond grateful for our Board of Directors and especially Board Chair, Brian Parsons, who worked tirelessly to help make this permanent home a possibility,\u201d said Christopher Saello, President & CEO. \u201cIt was important to raise building funds through a silent capital campaign to make sure it did not affect the annual campaign that supports non-profit grants. In just 57 days, we raised $1.395 million and all donors agreed to give their gifts above any current annual support. Due to their generosity,<\/span> our<\/span> rent<\/span> now<\/span> goes<\/span> away returning<\/span> $80,000<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> community that would<\/span> have<\/span> otherwise<\/span> gone to<\/span> rent<\/span> and occupancy <\/span>costs. That money will now be invested back into the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Once news of the purchase slowly began making its way around the community, United Way of Chester County received a lot of calls from companies looking to support the project with in-kind donations, including:<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a big deal for the UWCC, and it has truly been a community effort to make it happen,\u201d said Brian Parsons, CTDI Chief Operating Officer and United Way of Chester County Board Chairman. \u201cWe expect that this new site will provide physical and financial stability so that UWCC can continue to serve for decades to come. We are so thankful for all who supported it.\u201d<\/p>\n An open house and ribbon cutting event is being planned for October 6, 2022 from 4:30-6:30pm.<\/span><\/p>\n\n