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2010 Dr. Frederick G. Adams Award Application Available

Each year, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut honors an outstanding program in memory of Dr. Frederick G. Adams, a distinguished community leader whose commitment and contributions to health and human services, philanthropy, and human rights lives on today. This year, the Dr. Frederick G. Adams Award will acknowledge the outstanding work of a community based organization that helps children meet age appropriate developmental milestones or supports youth in building skills for academic success.  A $5,000 award for program enhancement will be given to the program selected. To view complete information and download the application form, please click here.

United Way Hosts Financial Stability One-Stop Learning Network

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut (UWCNCT) and Co-opportunity, Inc. recently hosted guests from across the country for the 2009-2010 Bank of America and United Way Financial Stability One-Stop Learning Network. The network is part of a larger commitment by UWCNCT to support its Working Families Initiative, which garnered national attention in 2009 when it received the Knowledge Café “Best Practices that Advance the Common Good” Award from United Way Worldwide (UWW) for its innovative volunteer Budget Coaching Program, developed and managed by Co-opportunity.

Hartford’s Financial Resource Center, also managed by Co-opportunity, was the first of its kind in Connecticut. United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut was an active member of the planning team for the resource center, bringing community partners to the collaborative including United Way 2-1-1, Foodshare and Capital Workforce Partners. In addition, UWCNCT is a funder of Hartford’s Financial Resource Center and has assisted with engaging other funders in this partnership. Bank of America has also been a lead funder and strong supporter of the Hartford resource center since its inception.  Click here to read more.

The Spring Issue of Impact Is Here

Check out our great Victory celebration photos and much more! Click here to see the full issue.

View Your Town's Census Participation in Real Time!

Census 2010 recently unveiled the "Take 10" interactive website which allows users to track and compare local census participation rates in real time. You can view national and local participation rates, and results are updated daily. To visit the Census 2010 "Take 10" website, please click here.

United Way is proud to be a Census 2010 partner. Don't forget to complete and mail back your census form! Census data are used to appropriate nearly $400 billion in federal funds each year and to determine the number of seats our state has in the US House of Representatives.

Haiti and Chile Recovery: You Can Help!

United Way and its partners are improving lives and changing conditions for the disaster-struck people of Haiti and Chile. We invite you to join us! Click here to learn how.

UWCNCT President & CEO Susan B. Dunn Joins State Task Force to Address Needs of Children in the Recession

Susan B. Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, has been selected to serve on the state's Task Force on Children in the Recession, to find ways to help Connecticut’s youngest citizens deal with the impact of the recession. She will serve alongside legislators, designees of Connecticut’s congressional delegation and representatives of social service agencies. State Representative Karen Jarmoc (59th District - Enfield), who chairs the United Way of North Central Connecticut regional advisory board, co-chairs the task force with State Representative Diana  Urban (43rd District - North Stonington and Stonington).

United Way participates in the task force as part of its efforts to ensure success for children. So far, the task force has gathered statistics on hunger and nutrition; housing and homelessness; early care and education; family health care; community violence; after-school programs; and the coordination of programs and systems. To read the task force's first report, click here. To review a copy of House Bill 5360, An Act Concerning Children in the Recession, please click here.

Free Tax Preparation Helps Families Claim EITC

Working families who earned up to $50,000 in 2009 and may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit are eligible for free tax preparation services, including electronic filing and direct deposit, now through April 15.

As part of its commitment to helping working families become more financially stable, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is supporting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, New Britain, Enfield and Willimantic in partnership with the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the Walmart Foundation. IRS-trained volunteers will help families prepare and electronically file their state and federal income tax forms and determine whether they qualify for tax credits and refunds, including the Earned Income Tax Credit. Click here for more information!

United Way Featured on CBS Sunday Morning

Living United is something we do together… and it involves very personal decisions about giving our time, talent, or treasure to strengthen our communities. On Sunday, February 7, Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide took part in a story on CBS Sunday Morning called 'Selling Your House For Charity.'  The segment is inspired by a new book out next month, called The Power of Half. It’s about a family in Atlanta who made a very special decision. The daughter’s desire to help others led this family to sell their house, buy a smaller one, and donate half the proceeds to charity. During the process, the family grappled with how much they should donate, to whom, and how to do so most effectively. In the process, they grew closer to each other and gained a new sense of purpose. The story examined American giving levels, the imperatives and barriers to charity, and the effects of the economic downturn on charitable giving.

To view the video, click here.  To learn more about the many ways you can donate through United Way, click here.

State Offers 24/7, Online Service for Printing Unemployment Insurance Tax Form

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is offering a new, online service that allows Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants to print the UC-1099G tax form they need directly from the Department of Labor’s Web site. The service – paid for with a federal grant – will speed the processing time for both claimants and state employees and save the state on postage and printing costs.

“The UC-1099G form is required by the Internal Revenue Service so recipients can report the benefits they have received, in the same way that a W-2 form is used to report regular income,” Governor Rell said. “This customer-friendly, 24/7 innovation is not only convenient for claimants, it saves the state time and money at a time when our budget is extremely tight.”

A special UC-1099G information line – (860)-263-6099 – is now in operation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 15 to answer questions about the tax form. Representatives at this number are not able to answer questions about specific unemployment insurance claims.

Two New, Free Tax Prep Sites Open in Windham

The Windham Region Asset Building Collaborative (WRABC), established this summer by Windham Region United Way and the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, has expanded the number of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in the Windham region. The two new sites, managed by Access Community Action Agency, Inc., join several other sites and a mobile site to offer free tax preparation services to lower-income Windham residents this season. Click here to learn more.

Pratt & Whitney, Hartford Wolf Pack Support United Way Community Campaign

Pratt & Whitney and the Hartford Wolf Pack joined forces Saturday night to support the United Way Community Campaign. Hundreds of employees from Pratt & Whitney and other United Technologies Corporation companies attended the Wolf Pack’s home game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as part of a game coupon program that raises money for local charitable causes.

Each $10 game coupon sold through the program generated $5 for the Community Campaign. Although UTC’s Night at the Wolf Pack event was January 2, charity game coupons are flexible and can be used at any regular Wolf Pack home game during the 20092010 season. Representatives from Pratt & Whitney presented a check for $4,040 from the proceeds during an on-ice break between the game’s second and third periods. Click here for more!

New Britain Workplaces LIVE UNITED with Food Donations

Two local workplaces that participate in the United Way Community Campaign are Living United this season with donations to the New Britain Food and Resource Center and other local food pantries. Click here for the full story.

Avon United Way Organizes Job and Food Assistance Event

Avon United Way organized a job and food assistance program at St. Anne's Church on Tuesday, December 15. Click here to learn more! You can also read about the event in Susan Campbell's column in the Hartford Courant.

United Way, Partners Bring Free Common Sense Parenting Program to Windham

Thanks to a partnership among Windham Region United Way, Windham Public Schools and The Village for Families & Children, Inc., parents of Windham students are learning skills to support their children's academic success. Click here to learn more.

United Way Community Campaign Raises $25,784,118 for Our 40 Towns

The 2009 United Way Community Campaign has exceeded its $25.5 million goal by more than $200,000! The final result was announced during a Deal or No Deal mock game show at a gala luncheon Friday at the Pratt & Whitney Hangar in East Hartford. NBC Connecticut anchor Brad Drazen emceed the event.

  • To read a full press release about the campaign and its results, click here.
  • To watch the announcement of the campaign total, click here.

Sixth Annual Non-profit Pulse Survey Released Today

The pendulum may be swinging back to a slightly more optimistic attitude among non-profit executives given current economic news and trends according to the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut Sixth Annual Non-profit Pulse Survey released today in partnership with the Hartford Business Journal.

United Way Common Good Forecaster Proves Importance of Education

United Way and the American Human Development Project have unveiled a new, interactive online tool called the Common Good Forecaster that shows exactly how education can change your community. Your community's educational level affects not only income and financial stability but also infant mortality, life expectancy, murder and incarceration rates, and more. To see how your community would be changed by increased educational levels, click here!

The Fall Issue of Impact Is Here

Check out our great United Way Day of Caring photos! Click here to see the full issue.

Grant Alert Plus

Grant Alert Plus is United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's biweekly e-newsletter for the local nonprofit community. It contains the latest information on funding, training and more. To read the latest edition, click here. To subscribe, send an email to Marisa Lee-Vaught. Please include your name, organization name, job title, address, phone number and email address.

United Way Working Families Initiative Budget Coaching Program Receives National Award

The Budget Coaching Program, a centerpiece of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's Working Families Initiative, received a United Way Knowledge Cafe "Best Practices that Advance the Common Good" Award for its innovative approach to engaging volunteers and helping lower-income working families increase their income, earnings, assets and savings. The program was launched by United Way and is managed by Co-opportunity, Inc.

  • To read more about the Budget Coaching Program, click here.
  • To view a video about the Budget Coaching Program, click here.

United Way Announces Awards for Children's Initiatives in New Britain

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, operating locally as United Way of New Britain and Berlin, announced $45,000 in funding for two initiatives that support children's academic success in New Britain: the Well Managed Classroom classroom management model and the New Britain Discovery Collaborative. To learn more, click here.

Avon United Way Organizes Nutrition Assistance Event

Avon United Way has organized a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) application event to be held at the Avon Food Pantry on September 22. To learn more, click here.

Avon United Way Spreads the Word about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Thanks to recent changes by the state government, more families now qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps). Avon United Way is raising awareness of the changes as part of its focus on local hunger issues. To read more, click here.

United Way Community Campaign Kicks Off with United Way Day of Caring XVIII

The 2009 United Way Community Campaign is officially under way! The campaign goal of $25.5 million was announced on Friday, September 11th, as more than 5,500 volunteers from more than 60 local workplaces headed out to more than 340 nonprofit project sites across central and northeastern Connecticut. To read more, click here.

Save Money on Your Prescriptions: Get a FamilyWize Card Here!

FamilyWize is a discount prescription card program that's available to everyone regardless of income or employment. United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is leading the effort to distribute FamilyWize cards in our region. From January to June of this year, residents of our 40-town service area have saved more than $105,000 on their prescription medications by using the FamilyWize card! Click here or go to www.familywize.org to print a card, or visit our Partners page for a list of agencies that have the cards.

Community Connections Radio Show on WTIC-AM

The last Saturday of every month, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., we invite you to join host Ray Dunaway on WTIC-AM NewsTalk 1080 for United Way's Community Connections. Each month, we explore a topic facing the people of central and northeastern Connecticut and discuss how United Way is helping to change community conditions. In our August 29th episode, we'll talk about the role of quality after-school programs in children's academic and social success.  Ray Dunaway and Susan Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, will speak with Irvin Santiago, a remarkable 12-year-old whose life has been changed by the after-school programs at Boys and Girls Club of Hartford; and we'll hear from Sam Gray, Boys and Girls Club of Hartford’s president and CEO, and Tauheedah Muhammad Jackson, Boys and Girls Club of Hartford’s chief operating officer, about what to look for in an after-school program.

Our New Brochure Has Arrived!

Want to learn more about United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut? Check out our new brochure. We encourage you to LIVE UNITED and share it with your friends! Click here for a downloadable PDF.

New Britain Resident Receives 2009 United Way Community Campaign Courage Award

William J. Frye of New Britain received the Courage Award at Jumpstart 2009, a United Way Community Campaign volunteer training event held June 24 at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford. Frye was nominated by the Vocational Services Program at Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. of New Britain, a United Way partner agency. He was selected to receive the annual award by a group of volunteer judges based on his character, strength, bravery, perseverance, confidence and self-respect in overcoming his circumstances. To read his story and learn more about the Courage Award, click here.

A Live Two-Hour Special and Volunteer-A-Thon!

Connecticut Public Broadcasting (CPB) is partnering with United Way 2-1-1 to engage volunteers throughout the state. CPB will present The Power of Giving: Stories of Volunteerism on Thursday, June 25th at 8 p.m. A repeat broadcast is slated for Saturday, June 27th at 6 p.m. with other repeats to follow in the future. The Power of Giving will feature personal stories of people who have been touched by volunteerism as donors or recipients and interactive opportunities for viewers to get involved.  Please be sure to tune in!

United Way of New Britain and Berlin Holds 69th Annual Community Celebration; Volunteer and Campaign Awards Presented

More than 70 community members and business and community leaders attended United Way of New Britain and Berlin’s 69th annual community celebration on June 4 at the Hospital for Special Care Research and Education Center. Acme Monaco Corporation received the 2008 United Way Community Campaign Champion Award for its outstanding participation in the campaign, and Robbin Todhunter of Bristol received the 2008 Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding service to Prudence Crandall Center, which provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence in New Britain and Berlin. Click here to learn more.

United Way of New Britain and Berlin Regional Advisory Board Has New Chair

New Britain resident and longtime United Way volunteer Lindsley Wellman has been elected to serve as chair of the recently formed United Way of New Britain and Berlin regional advisory board. Click here for the full story.

Windham Region United Way Holds 58th Annual Community Celebration; Volunteer and Campaign Awards Presented

Windham Region United Way held its 58th annual community celebration on April 7 at Eastern Connecticut State University. The 2008 Maurice Heon, Sr. Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Rose Luka of Colchester, and United Way Community Campaign Champion Awards were presented to BJ's Wholesale Club of Willimantic and to VNA East, Inc., for their roles in the 2008 campaign.

  • Click here to read more about the event.
  • Click here for the 2008 Windham Region United Way community report.

United Way Holds 84th Annual Meeting; 2008 Community Service Award Presented to Dona D. Young

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut held its 84th annual meeting on March 10, 2009, at The Hartford Tower Suite in Hartford. Dona D. Young, chairman, president and CEO of The Phoenix Companies, received the 2008 Community Service Award--the highest honor given by United Way to a volunteer. James Sicilian, partner, Day Pitney LLP, assumed the role of board chair. For the full story, click here.