UNITE VIRGINIA
UNITING OUR COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER PEOPLE IN NEED
In April of 2018, we convened partners across Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for a conversation about the ALICE Project in an effort to understand the greatest needs of our community. One of the biggest needs identified was a way for service providers to connect with each other in order to best serve clients - a way to make sure no one falls through the cracks.
In response to that need, we introduced Unite Virginia (formerly known
as Empower Harrisonburg-Rockingham or Empower HR).
What is Unite Virginia?
Unite Virginia is a collaborative, coordinated referral network that provides effective ways for people to access community resources. With a mix of healthcare, human service, local government, and public education organizations participating in the state-wide network, providers can more effectively refer clients to one another without them getting lost in a sea of resource directories and outdated phone numbers.
Unite Virginia is a secure technology platform powered by a company called Unite Us. In a community filled with great resources, this
technology is a game-changer in connecting providers. Thanks to a partnership between Unite Us and the Commonwealth of Virginia, access to the opportunity to participate in the network is
available at no cost to local service providers.
Why the change from Empower HR to Unite Virginia?
In December 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam officially announced a partnership with Unite Us in the creation of Unite Virginia, a statewide network that will strengthen ties between government agencies, health care providers, and community-based organizations that provide support to Virginians across the Commonwealth in times of crisis.
Effective January 1, 2021, we are retiring the local “Empower HR” network name and changing to “Unite Virginia” to reflect the statewide shift. United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County was an early adopter of Unite Us in Virginia and is proud to be a part of the new statewide network. Thanks to this partnership, we will continue to be able to offer access to Unite Virginia to local network member organizations at no cost.
local Network partners
Adagio House
Autumn Valley Guardianship
AVA Care of Harrisonburg
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County
Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Free Clinic
Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley, Inc.
Bridge of Hope Harrisonburg-Rockingham
Build United
Central Valley Habitat for Humanity
Elkton Area United Services
Gemeinschaft Home
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Healthy Community Health Centers
Harrisonburg Fire Department
Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board
Mennonite Abuse Prevention
Mercy House, Inc.
Open Doors
Our Community Place
People Helping People
Sentara Healthcare
Sentara RMH Community Health
Skyline Literacy
Strength In Peers
The Salvation Army
United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
Valley Program for Aging Services
Way to Go
Join the Network
MORE INFORMATION
How do new organizations join the Unite Virginia network?
This video was recorded prior to the transition from Empower HR to Unite Virginia.
Contact for Questions
Jo Benjamin
Coordinator of Community Impact
540-434-6639 x108
jo.benjamin@uwhr.org