November 17, 2005

UNITED WAY OF LANCASTER COUNTY CELEBRATES DIVERSITY IN THE BOARDROOM
Project Blueprint Graduates Announced

Lancaster, PA (November 17, 2005) – United Way of Lancaster County has announced the 2005 graduates of its Project Blueprint initiative.

A volunteer development leadership program of the United Way Volunteer Center, Project Blueprint is designed to recruit, train and place African-American, Latino and Asian volunteers in positions of leadership with nonprofit agencies and community organizations.

This year’s graduates are: Rhonda Allen, self-employed; Iris Alvarado, Fulton Financial Corporation; Alexander Alvarez, Fulton Financial Corporation; Bonnie Chy, Fulton Financial Corporation; Marnell Cummings, Cummings Enterprise, LLC; Pamela Grimes, student/self-employed; Cassandra Hampton, Lancaster County MH/MR; Kiyana Jefferson, City of Lancaster; Purvi Naik, Fulton Financial Advisors; Yanira Ruiz, Fulton Financial Corporation; Maribel Serrano, City of Lancaster and Nelsa Vasquez, Nuestras Clinica Education & Prevention Services. Nelsa Vasquez is the 142 graduate of the program since Project Blueprint’s inception in 1993.

“This outreach effort to all sectors of the community results in a better quality of life for everyone,” says Kate Quinn, director of United Way Volunteer Center. “Through their involvement, participants enhance health and human-care agencies’ knowledge of, sensitivity to and support for the needs of minorities in Lancaster County. “

A United Way of America initiative since 1987, Project Blueprint: • Recruits, trains and places culturally diverse prospective volunteer leaders. • Evaluates, assesses and monitors the placement of program participants on nonprofit agency boards. • Communicates the importance of volunteer diversity in nonprofits to area corporations, local nonprofit agencies, community leaders, residents and media.

Now, more than ever, United Way of Lancaster County’s resources, agencies and programs are providing services to improve lives and build stronger communities. For more information on United Way of Lancaster County’s 2005 Campaign, programs or initiatives, please call 394-0731 or visit the organization’s website at www.uwlanc.org.