Libraries

Residents of Warren County have access to five public libraries, each reflecting the unique communities they serve. A single Public Libraries of Warren County card can be used at the Sheffield Township Library, Sugar Grove Free Library, Tidioute Public Library, Youngsville Public Library, and Warren Public Library. These five libraries cooperate to provide services and programs that benefit all residents of Warren County such as the “One County, One Book” program, a combined web-based public access catalog of all holdings and access to the 45 databases included in the PA POWER Library.

Public library service has been a valued tradition in the Warren community since the founding of the Warren Library Association in 1873. The Warren Public Library was recently renovated and offers a spectacular, modern, service-oriented facility with high-speed Internet access and satellite teleconferencing onsite. The library provides an extensive selection of materials, services, activities, and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the year, including Summer Reading programs for children, teens and adults. Public meeting space and tours are available by appointment. Warren Public Library is designated as the District Center for seventeen libraries in the five county Seneca District. It has served as a selective depository for U. S. Federal and Pennsylvania State Government Documents since 1885. The library houses unique genealogy, and Pennsylvania history collections; local historic photograph, postcard and newspaper collections; a rare collection on the development of the lumber, railroad and petroleum industries in Pennsylvania; and a sheet music collection containing original scores from Broadway musicals dating from 1895-1956. In addition, access is provided to online databases such as AncestryPlus, FirstSearch/WorldCat, ReferenceUSA, and the PA POWER Library. The library also offers Interlibrary Loan and 24/7 “Ask A Librarian” services. The Warren Public Library has an active and enthusiastic Friends Group that supports the library with fundraising and volunteer efforts.

Churches

Religion plays an important role in the daily lives of Warren County residents. There are a variety of congregations, both denominational and non-denominational. Though varied in size and structure, the presence of communal bonding is found throughout. Older religious structures from different architectural periods add richly to the structural composition of the downtown Historic District and other parts of the county.

The "Little Stone Church"

The First Presbyterian Church in Irvine was not always public. The church was a gift from Dr. William A. Irvine to his wife, Sarah Duncan Irvine. Sarah recognized the importance of religion and wanted her family to have a place of worship. While the church was still unfinished in 1839, Sarah Duncan passed away shortly after giving birth to her second daughter. At the young age of 25, she was buried on the grounds of the church. The first service held in the tiny chapel was her funeral. Today, worship services continue to be held there in the place affectionately known as the “Little Stone Church.” Once a year, during Irvine Heritage Days, the 19th century is brought to life with crafts, activities, and a commemorative service held for Sarah Duncan Irvine.

Organizations

Warren County is a community full of dedicated volunteers and generous benefactors. We have active groups of Jaycees, Lions, Zonta, Rotary, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Exchange Club, and other local chapters of national organizations as well as many locally-chartered groups. Our United Fund has been consistent in meeting its goals, raising nearly $6 million in the last ten years. A listing of many community organizations can be found here.

YMCA

“The Warren County YMCA . . . . building strong kids, strong families, strong communities.”

The Warren YMCA operates a 57,000 square foot facility that includes two-full-size gyms, an indoor swimming pool, teen activity room, five-station computer lab, child care/pre-school room, babysitting room, a character club indoor playground, weight room, Nautilus-cardiovascular center, indoor running/walking track, three racquetball courts, and a parking lot for 338 vehicles. The facility is just the means to an end. Its real strength is bringing people together from all walks of life in pursuit of common goals.

Child care, aquatics, summer camps, teen leadership, older adults, youth and adult sports, wellness, and family development are all important programs that the “Y” offers. The YMCA is also bursting with youth programs with 70 youth swimmers participating on the Blue Dolphin swimteam in 2008/2009. Over 700 youth and adults were signed up for the 2008 Fall soccer outdoor program. Youth Biddy basketball program has nearly 370 participants for 2008.

Jefferson DeFrees Family Center

As the former Warren YWCA, the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center has served Warren County for over 90 years. Today, as the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, the Center offers child care services, wellness classes, a Fitness Center, special programming, community meeting rooms and community service projects, all from its downtown location at 207 Second Avenue.

Providing families with child care is a priority for the JeffersonDeFrees Family Center. The facility operates 4 classrooms for children ages 3 through 12 which include full day care with preschool time, before and after school care, no-school day care and summer programs. The Center’s community service projects include theCASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program, Community Resource Directory, Women are Wonderful, AskTheJD.com (link) and Project Kidsafe.

Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth and A Bear Affair

In an effort to bring the community together through the interaction of adults and kids, Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth organized the “Bear Affair” project. Placed throughout Warren County are 50 five-foot-tall fiberglass bear sculptures. Each of these critters has been decorated by a group of adult artists and volunteers working together with kids of all ages. In order to claim a bear, HC/HY created an adoption process in which the parent business or organization must promote at least one of the forty “key assets” to building a healthier community. The assets, geared toward developing a caring environment to foster healthy lifestyles among our youth, include responsibility, planning and decision-making, and the presence of adult role models.

United Fund - “ Helping People Smile Everyday!”

Since 1924, the United Fund has been bringing smiles to residents throughout Warren County. Originally founded as the Community Chest with eight member agencies, our membership has now grown to twenty-one human service organizations. Even though some needs have changed over the years, our mission remains the same..... to provide the many worthwhile services and programs that assist the elderly... build character in our youth... provide basic human service needs... offer assistance and comfort in times of disasters ...to bring smiles to those who need them.

Thanks to endowments through the Community Foundation of Warren County that cover all campaign and all administrative expenses, the United Fund can make a claim that few fund raising organizations can offer...100% of all donations received are distributed to our partner agencies. This allows our dedicated United Fund partners to provide those smiles everywhere, and every day, throughout Warren County.

Because of the generosity of residents and businesses who support our Annual Torchlight Campaign, the United Fund will continue to be one of the Warren County Advantages that helps to create a better quality of life throughout our communities. For more information, please contact the United Fund office at 814-726-0292 or e-mail us at ufowc@unitedfundofwarrencounty.com.

A Safe Place	Jefferson DeFrees Family Center
Bollinger Enterprises, Inc. [formerly ARC]	R.S.V.P. [Retired & Senior Volunteer Program]
Boy Scouts of America	American Red Cross
Companions For Kids	Ruth M. Smith Center
Crescent Park Health Clinic	The Salvation Army
Don Mills Achievement Center	Sheffield Area Hospitality Center
Emergency Medical Services	United Service Organization
Family Services	Warren County Literacy Council
Girl Scouts	Warren Senior Center, Inc.
Hospice of Warren County	YMCA
Youth Volunteer Corps.