2008 - United Way of Western Connecticut

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WE ARE A LEADER IN MOBILIZING THE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE LIVES AND OUR COMMUNITIES Serving Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Stamford, Warren, Washington Front cover photo clockwise from bottom: Ella Morits, Akshay Zaveri, Nikita Taylor, Makayla Reid, Reena Zaveri, Nicholas Morits June Renzulli retired as CEO of United Way of Western Connecticut in 2008. During her 14 year tenure her strategic vision led the organization from a pure fundraiser into a true community impact leader. Today United Way measures its success by how many lives are changed and a community’s capacity to respond to need, in addition to the dollars raised. In 2007, June worked tirelessly with volunteers and staff in merging three United Ways to form United Way of Western Connecticut. Her dedication to the community and her passion for helping those less fortunate has left an indelible mark. We all wish her the best in her future endeavors, and thank her for her many years of leadership.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rey Giallongo, Chairman First County Bank Lynn D. Mohlenhoff, Secretary Robert Ronan, Treasurer Actis-Grande, Ronan & Company Bob Dolian Cummings & Lockwood Brooke Feder Cushman & Wakefield of CT Jim Fuchs Praxair Frank Kelly Danbury Health Systems Mark A. Kristy PricewaterhouseCoopers Barbara Phillips Phillips Consulting Mike Rizzo Caldwell & Walsh Jim Schmotter Western CT State University Holly C. Wolff Retired IBM Andrew Zeitlin Shipman & Goodwin AT THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY UNITED WAY’S MISSION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRITICAL This has been a challenging year in our communities and nation. Free falling financial markets and government bailouts captured the headlines, but the impact of the economic fallout is counted one family at a time in our local communities. Everyone knows someone affected by the rapid decline in our economy. Our friends and neighbors have lost their jobs and in some cases their homes. But we believe that United Way’s mission has never been more critical, and our call to Live United is necessary if we are to continue to transform lives. We need to be reminded that across our country when tragedy strikes, people respond. We are a generous society, with many of our social services provided through the charity of private donors and volunteers. It is what makes us as a nation stand apart from others. And our communities are no different. Let’s be clear, the problems we face are daunting. There has been an alarming increase in demand for social services in our community – from food pantries to Rey Giallongo shelter assistance to medical care for the uninsured. United Way’s 2-1-1 information center is reporting increases of 20-40% in requests for services. There is also an increase in demand for credit counseling, financial literacy education, job training, and foreclosure intervention. We have also heard from our community partners about the profound impact of stress on families, and their ability to provide stable nurturing homes for their children. They are reporting an increase in domestic violence, an increase in substance abuse, an increase in homelessness, and an increase in mental health issues for children. In addition, we have begun to see a new phenomenon – families among our lists of past donors who are now in need of help themselves. To put it simply, our families, the foundation of the communities we live in, are hurting. As the crisis in our communities deepens, UWWC has begun to aggressively marshal our resources to respond to dramatic increases in demand for the most basic of human needs – food, shelter and clothing. Drawing communities together to support each other in times of crisis is the very concept on which the United Way was founded. At this moment in history – perhaps more than at any other point in our lifetimes – we need those who can to help those who can’t. However, we should not lose track of the fundamental truth that providing basic needs support addresses the symptom and not the cause of our community’s challenges. Because of this, we cannot abandon our long tradition of “investing for solutions”, that is, supporting efforts to address the underlying causes of homelessness, hunger, poverty, and health issues in our communities. How we care for the neediest is what defines our character as a community, whether in providing basic support or investing in solutions that prevent future problems. United Way launched a new call to action this year to ‘Live United’. We are asking everyone to Give, Advocate or Volunteer for something that matters to you. Whether you donate food to a pantry, be a voice for those who cannot change things, or volunteer to spend time with an elderly neighbor, you are helping to make Live United a reality. Now is the time, and together we can make a difference. Answer the call to Live United, give aid to your neighbors and help renew hope in our communities. Michael Johnston Rey Giallongo CEO UWWC Board Chair First County Bank Michael Johnston
Page 1: ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY LIVE
Page 5 and 6: Education All Children Ready for Sc
Page 7 and 8: Income United Way Promotes Financia
Page 9 and 10: Health United Way Makes Health Care
Page 11 and 12: Volunteers Continued Southern Litch
Page 13 and 14: Donors Continued SILVER LEVEL Cont.
Page 15 and 16: Donors Continued BRONZE LEVEL CONT.
Page 17 and 18: THANK YOU DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND C
Page 19 and 20: PLATINUM Boehringer Ingelheim GE i9

2008 - United Way of Western Connecticut

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