Letter to the Editor: Support for the United Way Improves City
STAMFORD ADVOCATE -- Aug 8 2008 -- A big "thanks" goes to Stamford from the United Way of Western Connecticut.
To the Editor:
The difficult times we are facing in this economy are on everyone's minds these days. Fortunately, we live and work in a city that reaches out and cares for those in need. On behalf of our United Way, I thank everyone in Stamford who offered support during 2007-08.
As a volunteer with the United Way and as a partner with the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin LLP, I am able to see how people in Stamford work together to inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow for all of us. The United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education (http://liveunited.org/education/Index.cfm), income (http://liveunited.org/income/index.cfm) and health (http://liveunited.org/health/Index.cfm).
We believe the building blocks for a good life include a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family and good health. And this year we are able to fund 51 programs that support these goals. Many dedicated community volunteers helped decide where our donors' money should be spent. Our chapter will invest over $1.5 million in Stamford in 2008-09, and approximately $5 million regionally.
The United Way's goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems. To improve lives, it takes everyone's participation. We need donors to fund services, volunteers to build capacity and advocates to create system change where it is needed.
We have recently launched a needs assessment study in Stamford, which is available online at www.uwwesternct.org. This is an opportunity for all Stamford residents to provide input to shape the community's priorities and services. It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future.
We are all connected and interdependent, and we all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable and when people are healthy. Thank you to all who already support the United Way, and I invite all Stamford residents to "Volunteer, Advocate and Give."
