2017 United Way faqs

UNITED WAY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut?

What is the United Way Community Campaign?

Founded in 1924, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to improve lives for children and families in the 40 towns throughout central and northeastern Connecticut, including the greater Hartford, New Britain, Windham and Enfield regions. We are the largest United Way in Connecticut and the second largest in New England. Since its inception, more than $950 million has been raised by our United Way to help people in our community.

Each year, thousands of people and hundreds of local companies and organizations support the United Way Community Campaign. Last year, more than $20 million was raised by 400 local workplaces and 30,000 donors.

What is United Way’s mission and vision?

Our mission is to engage and bring together people and resources committed to the well-being of children and families in our community.

Our vision is a community where opportunities are available for every child to succeed in school and for every family to achieve financial security.

How does United Way help working families?

Why give to United Way? United Way knows where the needs are within our communities.

We find the best ways to bring people together to solve the issues that matter most. When you give to United Way, we put your donation to use in a way that makes a difference.

United Way cares about what you care about – and we’ll take a stand for it just like you. Choosing to give is a personal choice. It’s up to you where your donation will go.

When you give directly to United Way, here’s how your gift makes a difference: Education – You’re ensuring children stay on track for kindergarten and academic milestones in order to graduate high school college and career ready.

Financial Security – You’re helping people get jobs, manage finances and get on a path to a financially secure future.

Despite working hard, one in four families in central and northeastern Connecticut struggle to pay bills, put food Health – You’re connecting families with health services, on the table, make ends meet and give their children the supporting healthier beginnings and healthier lives. education they deserve – and this affects our entire Basic Needs – You’re providing people with assistance community. Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed such as food and shelter during tough times.

(ALICE) represents households with earnings above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost-of-living threshold. With our partners, donors and volunteers, we connect ALICE and other hard-working individuals with opportunities to get ahead through United Way-supported programs and initiatives.

TO BRING PEOPLE

WE FIND THE BEST WAYS

TOGETHER

TO SOLVE THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST.

unitedwayinc.org

How have gifts to United Way made a difference locally?

How were 2016 gifts to United Way spent?

This past year,

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut announced $7.5 million in awards for programs and partnerships that benefit children, youth and families in local communities.

•M ore than 2,900 children in quality early childhood education programs gained skills needed to succeed in kindergarten.

•M ore than 230 children met one-on-one with their volunteer United Way Reader once a week, and 90 percent improved their literacy skills •1 ,700 people improved career skills through training on computers, customer service, critical thinking and communication skills.

•M ore than 12,000 taxpayers received tax assistance at no cost, resulting in $27.8 million in federal refunds and credits through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites and MyFreeTaxes.

•1 00 percent of United Way Volunteer Budget Coaching participants improved their financial management skills while working to pay down debt, repair credit and reduce spending.

•M ore than 15,000 people received basic food assistance, and 2,200 received emergency shelter.

•M ore than 4,000 people found safety/services related to abuse and domestic violence.

Here’s how: •M ore than $4 million to give children access to quality early learning programs as well as extended school day and summer learning opportunities.

•M ore than $1 million to connect individuals with skills and training for jobs in our region as well as the financial services and supports to achieve their goals.

• Nearly $2 million to provide access to information and referral services and immediate assistance such as food, shelter, disaster relief and services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

What choices do I have when making my gift to the campaign?

You may make a gift directly to United Way to support our focus areas (Education, Financial Security, Health or Basic Needs) and/or by designating your gift to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of your choice.

•M ore than 113,000 individuals in our 40-town region were connected to information and referrals through United Way 2-1-1.

We invite you to learn more about United Way through volunteer support.

Locally, United Way’s Year of Caring has mobilized workplace volunteers to make a lasting difference for children and families in our region for more than two decades. In 2016, nearly 5,000 volunteers from 100 companies completed more than 150 projects throughout the local community for Year of Caring.

30 Laurel Street • Hartford, CT 06106 860.493.6800 unitedwayinc.org

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FIND YOUR BEST WAY.