In July we announced a grant cycle with Mayor Dean Esposito of the City of Danbury for social service agencies to receive funding through the Danbury Social Service Grant program. Agencies whose work is focused on education, child care, financial stability, housing, health, and mental health were invited to apply. This year, $204,000 will be distributed among 18 local nonprofits.
Since 2009, United Way of Western Connecticut has administered the funding review process on behalf of the City of Danbury. Danbury residents are recruited and trained as volunteers to serve on a grant review committee. In this capacity, the committee reviews grant applications, listens to agency presentations, and makes funding recommendations to the City. Volunteer reviewers must be Danbury residents and attest to having no conflicts of interest with the agencies being reviewed.
Mayor Dean Esposito recognized the program saying “I want to thank United Way of Western Connecticut for partnering with the City of Danbury once again to provide funding to the social service agencies in our city. This partnership allows key programs to continue helping our residents and supports these organizations as they continue to administer services within our community.”
Isabel Almeida, President of United Way of Western Connecticut, congratulated the agencies receiving funding. “The Danbury Social Service Grant Program is an opportunity to collaborate with the City of Danbury in administering key funds to support our community’s nonprofits. The funds provided by the City each year are critical to improving health, enhancing education and child care, and increasing the financial stability of families throughout Danbury. The agencies receiving this funding are providing necessary support in each of those areas.”
The following agencies were selected and will receive funding:
• Danbury Grassroots Academy
• Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County
• REACH Western CT
• The Salvation Army
• Ability Beyond Disability
• American National Red Cross
• Amos House
• Association of Religious Communities
• Catholic Charities of Fairfield County
• Community Action Agency of Western CT
• Danbury Area Refugee Assistance (DARA)
• Family & Children’s Aid
• Renewal House
• Ann's Place
• Hillside Food Outreach
• Interfaith AIDS Ministry
• RVNA Health
• WeCAHR