United Way Awards $1.5 Million in Response to Urgent Community Needs

The funds provide emergency support and help local residents achieve financial security. 

Hartford, Conn. (December 4, 2023) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut announced today its investment of $1.5 million to ensure that people in central and northeastern Connecticut achieve financial security and basic needs are met when times are tough.  

The investment will support 55 community programs at 38 nonprofit partner agencies across the region. 

“United Way is designed to be nimble so we can quickly respond to community hardships. We are thrilled to provide funding that closes gaps and creates opportunities in both the short- and long-term,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “These awards are only made possible thanks to the generous support of local corporations; individual donors; foundations; and, groups like the members of the commercial real estate and building industry and Women United that host annual signature events to raise critical resources in support of homelessness prevention and family financial security, respectively.”  

“I also want to acknowledge the volunteers who served on United Way Impact Teams for playing a significant role in determining funding allocations for effective programs across our region. United Way is proud to be a volunteer-led organization, and we are grateful for those who demonstrated leadership in this capacity to best support local children, adults and families,” added Harrison.  

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

$732,300 for Basic Needs programs that meet immediate needs of families for food, shelter; homelessness prevention; safety from domestic violence and/or sexual assault; disaster recovery; information and referral services through United Way 211; and, services for people with intellectual disabilities. Organizations receiving awards include:  

• American Red Cross 
• Catholic Charities & Family Services, Diocese of Norwich, Inc.  
• Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford  
• CCARC, Inc.  
• Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness 
• Connecticut Foodshare, Inc.  
• Connecticut Legal Services, Inc.  
• Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc.  
• HARC, Inc.  
• Hartford HealthCare at Home 
• Hartford Interval House, Inc.  
• Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.  
• Journey Home 
• Network Against Domestic Abuse of North Central CT 
• Prudence Crandall Center, Inc.  
• Services for the Elderly of Farmington 
• Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern Connecticut, Inc.  
• South Park Inn, Inc.  
• The Arc of the Farmington Valley, Inc. (FAVARH) 
• The Salvation Army of Southern New England Division 
• United Way of Connecticut, Inc.  
• Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) 
• YWCA Hartford Region  
• YWCA of New Britain, Inc.  

$667,700 for Family Financial Stability initiatives that connect people to workforce development and career training opportunities and increase financial literacy skills. Organizations receiving awards include:  

• Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford  
• Center for Children’s Advocacy 
• COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc.  
• Connecticut Foodshare, Inc.  
• East Hartford Public Schools 
• Hockanum Valley Community Council 
• Human Resources Agency of New Britain  
• KNOX, Inc.  
• Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut 
• Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford 
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) 
• Network Against Domestic Abuse of North Central CT 
• Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc. (OIC) 
• Our Piece of the Pie  
• Pathways/Senderos 
• Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc.  
• URISE Ventures, Inc.  
• The Village for Families & Children, Inc.  
• YWCA Hartford Region 
• YWCA of New Britain, Inc.  

$100,000 for Rapid Response Fund: Homelessness and Housing to increase capacity for Connecticut’s Coordinated Access Network and municipalities to prevent families from slipping into homelessness and to help those experiencing homelessness gain safe shelter and efficiently move into stable housing.  This funding was made available in response to the 13 percent increase in homelessness this year. 

Please visit unitedwayinc.org or follow @unitedwayinc on social media for regular updates.  

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
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 unitedwayinc.org.  

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