IT’S MORE THAN
A holistic approach to strengthening our community. It takes more than one thing to create the community we all want. We know that if we are going to create real change and solutions that last, that we don’t fool ourselves into looking for quick fixes. Many organizations only treat the symptoms. We’re doing something different– we’re looking at the big picture, the whole person, the whole situation. Working with people just like you, we are making progress. We are finding solutions and heading in the right direction by helping improve the lives of children and families. Giving directly to United Way Community Investment means supporting lasting, community change for all of us.
How will you make a difference in our community year-round? Tell us at unitedwayinc.org/change United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut serves the 40-town region by mobilizing people and organizations to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER to help children succeed, ensure families are healthy and financially secure, and provide access to basic needs.
For more information and to watch the 2014 United Way Campaign video, please visit: unitedwayinc.org
JUST ONE
THING.
How does United Way make change happen in a community? We listen and learn to what concerns people most and what ideas they have to make things better. We bring people together to figure out the strategies that have the best chance of solving our toughest problems. We turn those strategies into something concrete that people want to invest in, with their money, voice and time. We have an option: we can accept existing conditions, or stand up and work together to create long-lasting change. We choose change.
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For a list of partner agencies, please visit unitedwayinc.org/partners.
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for all of us. LIVE UNITED
®
By joining hands,
we build a stronger community Meet Oliver, a second grader at one of Hartford’s Community Schools. Two years ago, his mother approached the Community School Program Coordinator concerned about his reading skills. Oliver was assigned a United Way Reader, Sidney, to provide oneon-one assistance once a week to help him read on grade level. Sidney is one of more than 100 volunteers committed to children’s success. Oliver looks forward to their visits. He feels comfortable, and loves talking about the stories and what they mean to him. His reading comprehension has improved tremendously. 5,100 youth He can better sound out improved skills needed words and recognizes for academic success through gifts to United punctuations in his Way last year. favorite book, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Currently, Oliver is reading above grade level and is on track to a successful future.
Meet Esmeralda, a 22-year-old mother of two young boys. As a single mom, it’s been a challenging road for Esmeralda and her family. With the help of United Way-supported programs focused on financial security, Esmeralda has obtained free tax preparation assistance and learned how to better manage what she earns. She’s also taken advantage of resources that have guided her housing search and helped secure childcare. The support she received enabled $27.5 million her to move forward and feel in federal refunds and empowered. She is working credits were returned to 10,400 taxpayers in toward a successful career in central and northeastern healthcare. Esmeralda is currently Connecticut through gifts to United Way a Certified Nurses’ Assistant, last year. enrolled in college to become a nurse. She is an independent, confident woman who wants a better life for her and her family. She is on her way to fulfilling her dreams.
Meet Kaden. His mother, Jessica, seemed to be having a normal pregnancy until he was born 16 weeks too soon. Kaden weighed one pound, six ounces and could not breathe on his own. He spent four months in the neonatal intensive care unit and endured three eye surgeries. His premature birth was an emotional experience – overwhelming, heartbreaking and exhausting. Every moment was worth it and precious Kaden finally went home. Today, Kaden is a typical three-year-old full of life and energy. He loves reading, coloring and spending time outside. Kaden is making progress and surpassing 4,000 babies expectations. United Way partners Last year, 4,000 babies in Connecticut were provide support to families with born too soon. March of children like Kaden, ensuring they Dimes helps to improve the health of all babies receive the care needed to make and to support families progress during the first critical if something does go wrong. years of life.
Read his full story at unitedwayinc.org/oliver
Read her full story at unitedwayinc.org/esmeralda
Individuals lead healthier lives…
With your gift directly to United Way, children succeed in school and life…
Families become financially secure…
Read his full story at unitedwayinc.org/kaden
Meet Rebecca, a highly-trained United Way 2-1-1 contact specialist. She is genuine, compassionate, and considers every experience to be a unique adventure. She provides help with issues important to all of us. While assisting people, Rebecca works with them to develop a plan and brainstorms the best options for their situation. 2-1-1 is a resource from which everyone can benefit. It offers opportunities, meeting the everyday needs of a family and 131,600/181,000 our community 2-1-1 handled 131,600 calls by finding and answered 181,000 requests for services in our short- and long40-town region through gifts term solutions, to United Way last year. especially during life’s toughest moments. Read her full story at unitedwayinc.org/rebecca
All of us have access to basic needs.