2009 - United Way of Western Connecticut

“United” has been part of our name for more than 60 years.
Even more, it has been a defining word for the work we have
done in strengthening our local communities.
Yet today, the word “united”, as embodied in our
call to “Live United”, has brought a new voice and
purpose to our work. This year we responded to
our extraordinary times by launching an interactive
“100 Days, 100 Ways We Live United” campaign
highlighting remarkable individual acts of
kindness. Whether helping a single mother prepare
a budget, finding time to read to a child, or driving
an elderly person to a doctor’s appointment, 100
days of “Tweets” proved the power of small acts.
We also launched a separate and entirely electronic
emergency basic needs campaign (“Take Five
to Give Five”) which in a few short weeks raised
desperately needed funds to support local shelters,
food pantries, clothing distribution centers and
emergency assistance programs.
While our efforts to respond to extraordinary
economic challenges may have been more visible
this year, we remain committed to long-term
strategies to help people build and sustain better
lives. Health, Income and Education remain the
three key building blocks to building a better life -
that’s who we are and what we believe.
For the first time in our country’s history, a
generation of children may be worse off than their
parents. This is true, not just economically, but in
all measures of societal success.
To address these challenges, United Way of Western
Connecticut’s recently adopted 2-year strategic plan
calls for particular attention to three key initiatives
– childhood obesity, school readiness and financial
stability. Each of these issues challenges the
potential for our next generation to lead the kind of
life we want for ourselves and our children.
Childhood obesity is critical because if we do not
address the epidemic of unhealthy kids in our own
communities, the next generation will live shorter,
less healthy lives and our health care system will
be overwhelmed by an avalanche of obesity-related
health care problems.
School Readiness (preparing kids to be successful
in school in their earliest years) is essential to
the long-term success of our communities. More
directly, children who enter school at performance
levels below those of their peers are often burdened
by this achievement gap for the rest of their lives
and in the most unexpected ways. Not only does
underachievement increase the high school dropout
rate (and future income), it also tends to put
children at a higher risk for broader social problems
like substance abuse and criminal activity. Truly
getting off to a good start can pave the way for
long-term success.
And speaking of long term success, how can we
build a strong community when there are people
struggling to make ends meet? There are those in
our community in need of the most fundamental
support from their neighbors – food, clothing
and shelter. Our goal is to provide the support
necessary for these individuals but to do so in ways
that create long-term financial stability.
You’ll be hearing more about these three key
initiatives (Strong Start, Strong Heart, Strong
Home) in the coming months, but our long standing
process of investing in our community’s success
will continue. Whether it is in Health, Income or
Education, our donor’s return on investment, as
always, is not monetary; it is long-term sustainable
impact in our community.
We live united because this is our community,
our neighborhoods, our families and our future.
Join us in becoming a mobilizing force for positive
social change. By giving people in our community
the chance to build and sustain better, more
productive and healthier lives. Live United -
Give, Advocate, Volunteer.
Michael Johnston
CEO
Rey Giallongo
UWWC Board Chair
First County Bank
Michael Johnston
Rey Giallongo
UNITED WAY OF WESTERN CONNECTICUT • 2009 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 1