United Way Awards $1.13 Million to Advance Equity for Children and Families 

Hartford, Conn. (January 27, 2022) — United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has awarded $1.13 million to local community organizations that are addressing racial equity in the areas of education, financial security and health while also serving ALICE* households in central and northeastern Connecticut. 

“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: 

• $200,000 in the United We Read category which focuses on ways to increase third-grade reading proficiency of children. Programs awarded have an intentional focus on improving literacy through curriculum, family engagement and connection to community resources including programming to keep children engaged and on track over the summer. 

• • Camp Courant 
  • Center for Leadership and Justice 
  • Community First School 
  • ConnectiKids 
  • Watkinson School 

• $495,000 in the United for ALICE category which 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. 

• • Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Hartford 
  • Center for Children’s Advocacy  
  • COMPASS Youth Collaborative 
  • East Hartford Public Schools 
  • Hockanum Valley Community Council 
  • Knox, Inc. 
  • Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut 
  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC Connecticut) 
  • Network Against Domestic Abuse of North Central Connecticut 
  • Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain 
  • Our Piece of the Pie 
  • Pathways/Senderos 
  • URISE Ventures, Inc. 
  • YWCA of New Britain 

• $435,000 in the United for Racial Equity category 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: 

• • Access Agency 
  • CCARC, Inc. 
  • Community Renewal Team 
  • Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund 
  • ConnectiKids 
  • Generations Family Health Center, Inc. 
  • Hands on Hartford 
  • Intercommunity, Inc. 
  • Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford 
  • Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters 
  • Our Piece of the Pie 
  • Prudence Crandall Center 
  • FAVARH 
  • Urban League of Greater Hartford 

Advocacy and Organizing: 

• • Center for Children’s Advocacy 
  • Center for Leadership and Justice 
  • Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness 
  • Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund 
  • Windham Regional Community Council 
  • YWCA Hartford Region 
  • 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.  

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.orgPage Break