Ross Promoted to Assistant Director
Stacey Ross, the current Program Support Specialist, has been promoted to Assistant Director of the United Way of the Titusville Region. Stacey is slated to fill the shoes of current Executive Director, Terri Ann Wig, when she retires in May 2022 after more than 25 years of service. Stacey Ross has been a part of the United Way organization since August of 2019. Since starting at the UW, Stacey has completed her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degree at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Stacey has been active in several community groups and projects as well as volunteering her time when needed.
Stacey says, “I am so very excited to become such a major part of the United Way. I have a passion for community work and look forward to serving the Titusville Region.” Stacey lives in the city of Titusville with her husband, Marc, son, Simon, and two dogs, Hank and Lemmy. Stacey enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, and traveling. “I know that I have some big shoes to fill when Terri Ann Wig retires,” Stacey says, but she is prepared to carry on and continue to grow what Terri has built for the last 25 years.
Terri Ann Wig will leave big shoes to fill due to her exemplary record over the last two and a half decades. Terri was the key leader in bringing the United Way of the Titusville Region to its current impact funding model. In addition, Wig, also led the organization through its first community needs assessment. These tools are crucial to meeting the community’s needs. Wig developed the Center for Financial Independence (CFI), an in-house program to better help those with immediate financial crises meet their most basic needs. This center has helped thousands of individuals and families over the years and has been imperative in collaborative case management with other partner agencies.
Most recently, Terri has been busy creating a new initiative for the United Way aimed at helping families with adult and family literacy and financial literacy. This initiative’s core component is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This is a wonderful program that provides a free book to children aged birth – 5 every month. Terri has always been passionate about adult and family literacy, even starting what is now known as the Titusville Regional Literacy Council (TRLC), some years ago. This initiative expands on those goals and provides more opportunities for families in our region. Along with this initiative, Terri has been the driving force behind the David L. Weber Memorial Garden. Terri wanted to be sure to honor David Weber’s historical knowledge as well as his care for the community. Terri chose a World War II victory-style garden based on conversations the two have had over the years. The garden is taking shape, with the mural already completed and more work set for spring.
Terri’s focus has always been on the community and its members. Through her 25 years of service Wig has always had successful campaigns. These successful campaigns allowed Wig to continue the mission of the United Way of the Titusville Region and develop even more programming. Programs such as the Play 360, VISTA collaboration, YMCA’s 21st Century Learning Center, Martha Volkstadt Scholarship, and a trip to Ecuador with Student United Way (SUW) as well as many other SUW projects are just a few more examples of the care and dedication Terri Ann Wig has for our community.
As retirement nears for Terri the board and staff of the United Way of the Titusville Region want to wish her the absolute best and thank her for her years of dedicated service to our region. The United Way of the Titusville Region would not be what it is without her commitment, forethought, and perseverance. “As I move closers to retirement and the experience of so many lasts…last Stuff the Bus, last Annual Meeting, and last Campaign Kick-off, have touched my heart. While I look forward to retirement I will miss the reward of helping our community by leading the United Way. What makes this easier is knowing that Stacey and Jody will do a fantastic job and will lead our organization in a way that will benefit our community.”
For more information on your United Way or any of the funded programs, please contact United Way of the Titusville Region at 814-827-1322, 208 W. Spring Street, PO Box 401, Titusville PA or at info@titusvilleunitedway.com. As always, we are Better Together. If you would like to donate to this year’s campaign, donations are accepted in person or online at this QR code.