United Way Awards $425,000 to Advance Equity

Hartford, Conn. (February 11, 2022) — United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has awarded $425,000 to local community organizations that are addressing racial equity in the areas of education, financial security and health while also serving ALICE* households in New Britain and Berlin.

“Advancing equitable outcomes of children and families has always been core to our values of United Way,” said Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “These awards are about being even more intentional in leveraging our resources to advance equity for children and families while also working to address the root causes of systemic racism through our newly established United for Racial Equity initiative.”

The awards, which were approved by United Way’s Board of Directors at its January meeting, include:

United for ALICE: helps families achieve financial security. Awards include a focus on connecting youth and young adults to workforce skill development and specific career training and increasing financial capability skills.

· Center for Children’s Advocacy (statewide)

· Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut

· Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC Connecticut)

· Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain

· Pathways/Senderos

· YWCA of New Britain

United for Racial Equity which helps organizations addresses the root causes of systemic racism through enhanced organizational practices around racial equity, community organizing, advocacy, and/or leadership training.

Organizational Capacity Building:

· CCARC, Inc.

· Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (statewide)

· Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters

· Prudence Crandall Center

Advocacy and Organizing:

· Center for Children’s Advocacy (statewide)

· Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (statewide)

· Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (statewide)

· YWCA of New Britain

United Way issued an open call of proposals for this round of funding and received nearly 50 applications for support. Programs were reviewed by committed and experienced United Way volunteers.

*ALICE an acronym that stands for, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are families living at or below the federal poverty level and those who live above it but below the basic cost of living threshold.

About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

United Way brings people and resources together to address immediate needs and finds long-term solutions for the wellbeing of children and families. For more information about United Way and ways to partner visit: unitedwayinc.org