United Way Awards $1.1 Million to Local Community Organizations in Support of Long Term COVID-19 Recovery for Children and Families

Hartford, Conn. (Jan. 4, 2021) United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has awarded $1.1 million to community organizations across the region that are addressing the continued health, economic and educational impact of COVID-19 on children, adults and families.  

“The on-going pandemic, including the Delta and Omicron variants, is affecting the whole family,” said Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Children and youth have fallen behind academically and are struggling emotionally. Their families have also been hard hit whether from illness or maintaining employment.” 

Gilberto noted that United Way works with a network of partners that effectively and efficiently address these complex needs.   

“We are grateful for the generosity of so many donors, workplaces and volunteers who have stepped up over the last year, making these funding awards possible,” Gilberto added. 

Of the $1.1 million United Way awarded: 

• Child Success: more than $450,000 for programs that help children succeed academically and read proficiently by the start of fourth grade and quality early childhood education opportunities that help young children enter kindergarten prepared and support parents while they work.  
• Financial Stability: more than $360,000 for programs that help individuals secure benefits, increase their financial capability and get jobs.  
• Basic Needs: more than $330,000 for programs that meet immediate needs of families for food, shelter, homelessness prevention, safety from domestic violence/sexual assault, and disaster recovery; information and referral services through United Way  211; and, services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.  

About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut  
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s vision is a community where opportunities are available for every child to succeed in school and for every family to achieve financial security. United Way brings people and resources together to address immediate needs and finds long-term solutions to challenging problems. United Way does this by investing in programs and services, leading community change initiatives, and mobilizing resources and volunteers to ensure that: children succeed in school; people get jobs and are financially secure; people are healthy; and, basic needs are met during tough times. For more information, visit www.unitedwayinc.org.    

Media Contact: Anyeline Céspedes López | United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436