United Way Seeks Residents' Opinions

By Magdalene Perez
Staff Writer

The United Way of Western Connecticut is conducting an online survey aimed at letting Stamford residents speak their minds about their social service needs and priorities.

Among other questions, the survey asks residents to assess how well quality-of-life services are addressed in Stamford, including public transportation, affordable housing, crisis assistance, child care, safety and education.

"We're trying to determine what the most pressing needs of the community are, to really figure where we should all be focusing our attention," said Michelle James, president of the Stamford office of United Way of Western Connecticut.

For Glenbrook resident Linda Kane, 42, a top priority is providing after-school programs and activities for children. Kane said after-school activities are even more important for her two middle-school boys now because their curriculum has shifted away from electives like drama and yoga as schools focus more on testing.

Albeiro Calderon, 59, who lives in the Cove, said the city's priority should be public transportation. Calderon said he is lucky enough to have a car, but he knows people who would benefit from better bus service.

The online survey - to conclude next week - is part of a larger project aimed at building a thorough assessment of Stamford community needs.

The United Way, along with the Human Services Planning Council of Stamford, is conducting interviews, focus groups and combing through information gathered through its 2-1-1 call center, a free phone line providing information on community services and crisis intervention.

The effort will be the first comprehensive survey of community needs in Stamford conducted by the United Way in more than 10 years, James said.

The information will be posted online when a final report is issued in October.

Ultimately, the United Way will share the information with local nonprofit agencies and the public.

Arming nonprofits with data that shows there is a need in a certain area can help them raise money for that cause, she said.

"We get calls all the time from people saying, 'What kind of quantifiable data do you have so we can fill out a grant?' " James said. "Often nonprofits are looking for information that will solidify their request for funds."

- Staff Writer Magdalene Perez can be reached at magdalene.perez@scni.com or at 964-2240.

- To participate in the survey, visit the United Way of Western Connecticut Web site at www.uwwesternct.org.