United Way Of Western Connecticut Invests

$4 Million-Plus Into Region; Newtown Agencies To Benefit

DANBURY — United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) has announced that it will invest more than $4 million dollars in the coming year, maintaining last year’s funding levels to local social service programs for 2008-09. Newtown residents — served by 80-plus nonprofit programs and initiatives in Northern Fairfield County — will benefit from the UWWC board’s decision, with a total of 160 programs funded throughout the region. Additional initiatives that meet the organization’s priorities will also be launched throughout the year.

The two agencies that received funding in Newtown were Kevin’s Community Center, the free medical clinic, and Newtown Youth & Family Services, which offeres behavioral health services for children and adults.

UWWC had a successful fundraising campaign, and the majority of funds raised were through workplace giving. Due to economic concerns throughout the region, United Way may face an increase in uncollectible pledges. The board recognized, however, that many community programs are seeing an increased need from local residents due to rising costs of fuel, food, and housing.

“Now is not the time to pull resources from our health and human service partners. As people’s needs increase, it becomes even more important that United Way is there to help,” said Rey Giallongo, board chairman and senior vice president of First County Bank in Stamford.

In 2007, the United Ways of Northern Fairfield County, Stamford, and Housatonic/Shepaug merged to form United Way of Western Connecticut. The combined resources of the new organization have allowed UWWC to maintain funding across the entire region.

“It was a unanimous decision to keep funding our partner programs at the levels they requested. All three communities have benefited from the merger. We are stronger today because we are looking at issues on a regional level, recognizing how each community is connected,” said CEO June Renzulli. “We are also energized looking forward, as we plan to launch several new initiatives this year that will create long-lasting change in the areas of education, income, and health. The community will be hearing from us a lot in the next year.”

In 2008-09 UWWC will put more than $4 million into Western Connecticut social services. Six initiatives are slated to receive $245,000. Another $3,552,950 will fund 155 programs throughout the region through UWWC’s Community Impact Fund.

In northern Fairfield County, 80 programs will receive $2 million in 2008-09; in southern Litchfield County, 24 programs will receive $144,750 in 2008-09; and in Stamford, 51 programs will receive $1,408,200 during the same time frame. An additional $420,930 is donor designated funding.

 Education, Income, And Health

UWWC is working to advance the common good for all by focusing on three priority areas: education, income, and health. This is because the building blocks for a good life are a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family, and good health. The majority of grants awarded fell under one of these focus areas.

Education, or helping children, youth, and families achieve their potential, accounted for 34 percent of the grants; Income, promoting financial stability and self sufficiency, 30 percent; Health, promoting health and well-being, 32 percent; and Other, programs that provide foundational support in the community, 4 percent.

 The towns covered by UWWC are Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Stamford, Warren, and Washington.

The United Way of Western Connecticut is a leader in mobilizing resources to improve lives and communities. It brings together community leaders, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and businesses to focus on the most pressing needs in the community and provides the resources — human, technical and financial — to get to the heart of problems. For more information, visit UWWesternCT.org.