Elizabeth is a real Western Connecticut resident who wants her story told. She is one of thousands of people United Way of Western CT (UWWC) is dedicated to: hard-working, struggling households that we call ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). She is an established digital media professional who has"worked in and paid taxes in the great state of Connecticut since I was 15 years old," she says.
“All of my money is spent, right out the door as soon as it comes in, so that we have a roof over our heads, utilities and coverage for our...
Post date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - 3:15pm
January is National Blood Donor Month
We received a notice from the Connecticut Blood Center and the American Red Cross that blood donations are critically needed, in light of shortages resulting from the severe weather last week.
In Connecticut, 13 blood drives were forced to cancel due to last week’s winter storm, causing 339 donations to go uncollected. Uncollected donations can mean the difference between life and death: every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following...
Post date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 3:36pm
On Saturday November 4th the Woman’s Club of Greater New Milford and the United Way of Western CT Greater New Milford office will hold its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on the New Milford Green. Once again we are asking residents to help us “Stuff the Gazebo” with donations of frozen turkeys and canned goods.
The collection of food will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at bandstand on the New Milford Green.
Each year the Woman’s Club of Greater New Milford and Greater New Milford office of United Way join together to provide a complete Thanksgiving meal for over 250 New Milford...
Post date: Saturday, October 21, 2017 - 12:29am
With Hurricane Irma striking with such ferocity so soon after Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf region, we are at an absolute loss. Our thoughts are with all affected by both hurricanes: those who are beginning clean-up and those who are waiting a lift in evacuation orders or are in process of returning to their homes and communities. We have compiled information below to share with those you know who may be in the affected areas, or to help contribute to local recovery efforts.
We are heartened that so many continue to answer the call to help our neighbors in Texas, Lousiana, the...
Post date: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 3:23pm
Our thoughts are with all affected by Hurricane Irma. If you have family or loved ones in the area, 2-1-1 across all affected areas is operational. If someone you know needs help, they can call 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There may be a wait, but calls will be answered. In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1. They may also also text “Irma” to 898-211, or visit www.211.org to find a local provider and more information.
If you wish to donate to local funds, you may find a list of resources here: https://www.unitedway.org/irma-local-united-way-funds
>>Read...
Post date: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 3:27pm
Like so many of you, we are heartbroken at the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey to residents of Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf region. If you have friends or loved ones who are impacted by the storm, please know our thoughts and prayers are with them. We encourage people in the affected areas to contact 2-1-1 for local resources such as shelter, food and clean/potable water. Wait times are longer than usual, but calls are being answered as quickly as possible.
While the rain is tapering off in some areas, there’s still uncertainty about rivers and dams in the area, and the exact...
Post date: Thursday, August 31, 2017 - 10:29am
Written by:
Kim Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Western Connecticut
Merle Berke-Schlessel, President & Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
Susan Dunn, President & Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
Kevin Wilhelm, Executive Director, Middlesex United Way
As the leaders of several United Ways, we have a unique perspective into the nonprofit and corporate worlds. We talk daily with nonprofit leaders who share their concerns about declining budgets and increased demand for...
Post date: Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 1:25pm
By Karen Mello, Director of Community Impact, UWWC
A person can do a lot in five minutes. As a working mom of two children, I certainly can. I can respond to a work email or a text from one of my kids, fill out a school form or permission slip, run into the local grocery store to get milk, switch a load of laundry and even whip up something for dinner all in less than five minutes.
Taking five minutes out of your busy day can also help lift someone’s spirit or make their day a little bit brighter. Think about it - it takes less than five minutes to smile at someone or say a...
Post date: Monday, June 1, 2015 - 1:05pm
By Karen Mello, Director of Community Impact
Dear ALICE,
We know how hard it is for you, living paycheck to paycheck, day after day, month after month and year after year. We also know that you may be working more than one job, just to try to make ends meet. Even with that, there still isn’t enough money to afford to live in the size apartment or house that would properly accommodate your family or that is in a safe and nurturing neighborhood that you would like your children to grow up in.
We know how hard it is when your regular babysitter, Grandma, doesn’t...
Post date: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 9:02am
By Bridget Fox, EVP of Strategy and Community Engagement
For those of us familiar with the findings of the United Way ALICE report, it was clear listening to President Obama’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday night that he was talking about ALICE, a United Way acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In fact, this week at our Northern Fairfield County Community Council meeting, one of our volunteers asked the group if he was the only one who heard ALICE in the language of the President’s speech. Everyone agreed they had.
The President shared...
Post date: Friday, January 23, 2015 - 10:16am
