United Way Grants $3 Million in Hartford Region to Advance Youth Success & Economic Mobility, Respond to Basic Needs

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has awarded $3 million to local community organizations that are addressing the long-term health, economic and educational impact of COVID-19 on children, adults and families.

Even as some “return to pre-pandemic activities, we know that for many children, adults and families the impact of the pandemic will be longer-lasting,” said Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Our United Way is working with Community Partners to assess potential gaps in resources and to ensure a more comprehensive approach in helping people recover from the long-term effects of the pandemic.”

The awards, which were approved by United Way’s Board of Directors at its June meeting, focus on:

• Youth Success: Summer learning and enrichment programs for children who experienced a challenging school year, and quality early childhood education and early literacy programs aimed at students reading proficiently by the start of fourth grade. 

• Economic Mobility: Employment programs that help people get good jobs with opportunities for career advancement along with financial education and opportunities to build savings.

• Basic Needs: Rent, utility and food assistance, and a connection to important income supports, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), that help families struggling to make ends meet stretch their monthly budgets.

Of the $3 million awarded, $213,000 will support programs running this summer for local children to help prevent learning loss and keep students on-track for academic success.

“We are so grateful to the generous donors and workplaces in our region who have come together to support local children and families this year,” said Gilberto. “When you give to United Way, you are supporting a network of partners who are working together to meet the complex needs of people in our region, efficiently and effectively. United, we will recover from the long-term effects of COVID-19.”

The organizations receiving funds to support their efforts aimed at youth success include: Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Inc., Camp Courant, Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford, COMPASS, Connectikids, Consolidated School District of New Britain, East Hartford Public Schools, Educational Resources for Children, Inc., HARC, Inc., Hartford HealthCare at Home, Hispanic Health Council, Inc., Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc., Literacy Volunteers of Central CT, and Manchester Public Schools.  Also receiving funds are Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc. (OIC), Pathways/Senderos, The Salvation Army Southern New England Division, The Village for Families & Children, Inc., Windham Public Schools, Women’s League, Inc. Child Development Center, YMCA of Metropolitan Hartford, Inc., YMCA of New Britain – Berlin, YWCA Hartford Region and YWCA of New Britain, Inc.

Two dozen area organizations working to provide Basic Needs in the region and selected to receive United Way funding are:  Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut Food Bank/Foodshare, East Hartford Public Schools, Hartford Working Cities, Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc., John J. Driscoll United Labor Agency, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, Our Piece of The Pie (OPP), The Village for Families & Children, Inc., Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc., Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford and YWCA Hartford Region.

In addition, 12 organizations with a focus on Economic Mobility will be receiving funds:  Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut Food Bank/Foodshare, East Hartford Public Schools, Hartford Working Cities, Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc., John J. Driscoll United Labor Agency, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, Our Piece of The Pie (OPP), The Village for Families & Children, Inc., Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc., Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford and YWCA Hartford Region.

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut serves 52 communities within the region.  The organization’s mission is to “engage and bring together people and resources committed to the well-being of children and families in our community.”  The 2021 United Way Community Campaign Kickoff will be in September, and multiple locations throughout the region.