Erie's Diehl elementary school is getting a helping hand.

The United Way of Erie County today named Mercyhurst University the lead partner in the community schools initiative at Diehl.

The United Way is now looking for a community school director to oversee the program.

It basically brings community resources into the school, helping to address the health, wellness and social needs of students and their families.

The school becomes a community center, seven days a week.

Mercyhurst will provide many resources to the school, but several corporate partners will also help.

United Way of Erie County President Bill Jackson said,"Obviously it takes financial resources to make something like this happen. And we are very excited because at Diehl, we have eight different local businesses that have come together to provide those financial resources. And we also want to thank them very much."

The United Way considers Diehl an ideal community school because it has a large immigrant population with parents involved in their children's education.