Community Impact in Stamford

Wanda, a lifelong Stamford resident and single parent, thought the home she provided for her two young children was safe.

But one day, she learned her home contained unsafe levels of lead paint. Anxious to get her children into a lead-free environment, Wanda sought help. She found a subsidized apartment and moved in with her two young children with $100 to her name.

Here in Stamford, many families find themselves walking along a financial tightrope like Wanda—barely getting by and needing affordable housing and programs that help increase their self-sufficiency.

United Way is working to transform that financial tightrope into solid ground. Wanda eventually transitioned her family into home ownership, purchasing an affordable condo on Hope Street in Stamford. Wanda accomplished this amazing goal through her own perseverance and help from local programs supported by United Way.

What started as an arduous task to move her kids out of an unsafe environment turned into stability and the pride of homeownership. Wanda turned a bad day into a good life for her children with assistance from local United Way supported programs.

United Way is helping families like Wanda’s to get the housing they need, become more financially stable, and take the next steps to advance to long-term independence.

“I found safe housing for my kids and eventually purchased my own home,” said Wanda. “I hope my story will inspire other young parents to seek out the same kinds of local programs that were so helpful to me.”

When you give to United Way, it’s an investment in your community . . . and in hardworking families like Wanda’s.

Our goal is long lasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place.

Here in Stamford, we’re focused on critical issues like:

Helping Children and Families Succeed

• Increasing the number of students who have the motivation and skills to achieve academic success

• Increasing the number of children who are school-ready

• Enhancing the quality of child care services

Improving People’s Health

• Increasing access to healthcare services

• Ensuring access to quality intervention services for those at risk

• Supporting a systemic approach to mental health services

Promoting Self Sufficiency

• Increasing the number of people living in affordable housing

• Developing and enhancing workforce training that meets ongoing and emerging needs of the Stamford business community

• Reducing the risk and incidence of preventable individual and family crises