Human Needs
Ensuring Well-being and Dignity for All: A Focus on Human Needs in Washington County
Human Needs organizations in Washington County improve the lives of adults and children through an array of programs and services. These groups support the needs of vulnerable populations and promote social welfare policies.
Impact
Human Needs organizations address critical issues including safe and affordable housing, health care, mental health services, disability support, aging services, social and criminal justice, immigration services, job training and employment support, food insecurity, homelessness, education, livable wages, addiction services, safety and security, poverty, and basic necessities.
The New York Times recently reported that after two years of historically large declines in the poverty rate, the share of Americans living in poverty made its largest single-year jump on record last year, because of rising prices and expiring pandemic aid programs.
The overall poverty rate rose from 7.8 percent in 2021 to 12.4 percent in 2022, while the rate of child poverty more than doubled, to 12.4 percent, with the end of the expanded child tax credit.
According to the Observer Reporter and the Washington County Corner’s annual report, drug overdose deaths declined in Washington County in 2022, with 88, compared to 106 drug-related deaths in 2021. But still over double the number of deaths in 2012, with 36.
Strengths
- Community Support
- Children’s Services
- Collaboration
- Educational Opportunities
- Behavioral Health Services
- Women’s Services
- Home Services
- Substance Abuse Services
- Early Intervention Services
- Innovative Programs
- Strong Organizations
- Virtual Counseling
- Technological Advances
- Assistance from Faith-Based Organizations
Challenges
Broadening awareness of available programs is an issue. Transportation is often a barrier for the people that need these services. Transitioning clients from virtual to in-person classes has been challenging coming out of the pandemic. Organizational budgets, capacity, and competition for funding impact the services that can be provided. In turn, this also affects employee salaries and benefits, which leads to employee turnover. Salary and benefit levels also create challenges in recruiting and training the next generation of social service workers. Childcare, or lack thereof, can be a deterrent. Staff and budget challenges create a waiting list for services. More volunteers are needed. The issues and clients that are dealt with daily takes an emotional toll on volunteers and staff. Collaborations with smaller organizations can be difficult. Tracking services across providers and identifying gaps is needed for efficient and effective programs. There is abuse of the system. State benefits can limit options and create unnecessary hardships.
Members of the focus group believe that Washington County would do well to collaborate more to address these various challenging and difficult issues. As the demand for services continues to increase for children, adults and seniors in Washington County, Human Needs organizations must build capacity and adapt to the needs of their clients.
As the government continues to focus on social determinants of health (SDOH), these factors can have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Examples of SDOH include:
- Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
- Racism, discrimination, and violence
- Education, job opportunities, and income
- Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
- Polluted air and water
- Language and literacy skills
Learn More
Participating Nonprofits
- 25FortyPgh
- ALWAYS B SMILING
- Arc Human Services
- Beyond Survival Ministries
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
- Blueprints
- Canonsburg Houston Southpointe Rotary
- CASA for Kids
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Center for Coalfield Justice
- City Mission
- Community Circle Food Pantry
- Cornerstone Care
- Diversified Human Services
- Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA
- Donora Public Library Association
- Dress for Success Pittsburgh
- Food Helpers/DBA Gr. Washington County Food Bank
- Goodwill of Southwestern PA
- Healing Bridges
- InVision Human Services
- McDonald Volunteer Fire Department
- Meals on Wheels @ The Crossroads
- Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation
- New Life Options Pregnancy Resource Center
- PathWays of Southwestern Pa
- Pennsylvania Elks Major Projects
- Presbyterian SeniorCare Network
- Resurrection Power of Washington Pennsylvania
- Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging
- Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Behavioral Health
- Summit Legal Aid
- The CARE Center
- The Johnson-Shaw Foundation
- The Monongahela Valley Hospital dba Penn Highlands Mon Valley
- The Salvation Army
- The Trevor Popeck Foundation
- The Venetia Heritage Society
- The Washington Hospital Foundation
- Thomas Campbell Apartments
- Transitional Employment Consultants
- TRPIL
- United Way of Washington County
- VetPets
- Watchful Shepherd USA

Washington County Nonprofits
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