United Way Deploys $2.76 Million to Drive Collective Action to End Poverty 

The organization is working with 40 strategic partners committed to closing gaps in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy through collective action.   

Hartford, Conn. (October, 16, 2025) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut will invest $2.76 million to end poverty in the 860 region this year. Funding will support 40 strategic partners who will collaborate in cross-sector working groups to address systemic barriers impacting individuals and families in central and northeastern Connecticut, while continuing to provide direct services.  

The working groups, which are centered in community perspective, will focus on reducing disparities in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy to end poverty – the pillars of United Way’s new Onward860: United to End Poverty strategic plan.  

“United Way has a bold vision for our future. Together, we will end poverty in the 860 region,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Our innovative new approach to addressing the root causes of poverty is the result of more than 40 community conversations and six months of human centered design work which resulted in recommendations for new collaborative initiatives. We are excited to roll up our sleeves with our strategic partners to create even greater impact for people in our region.”   

United Way’s recently announced Strategic Partners include:  

• Advocacy to Legacy 

• Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford 

• Center for Children’s Advocacy 

• Community First School Inc. 

• COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc. 

• Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness 

• CT Data Hartford Youth Data Hub​ 

• Connecticut Foodshare, Inc. 

• Consolidated School District of New Britain 

• East Hartford Public Schools 

• End Hunger Connecticut 

• Forge City Works 

• Friendship Service Center, Inc. 

• Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc. 

• Hands On Hartford 

• Hartford Health Initiative 

• Hartford Interval House, Inc. 

• Hispanic Health Council, Inc. 

• Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. 

• Journey Home 

• Keney Park Sustainability Project 

• Levo International 

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation 

• Malta House of Care 

• Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. 

• Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc. (OIC) 

• Our Piece of The Pie (OPP) 

• Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. 

• Re!Institute 

• South Park Inn, Inc. 

• The Salvation Army Southern New England Division 

• The Village for Families & Children, Inc. 

• United Way of Connecticut, Inc. 

• Urban Alliance 

• Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. 

• Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) 

• Women’s League Child Development Center 

• YMCA New Britain Berlin 

• YWCA Hartford Region, Inc. 

• YWCA of New Britain, Inc. 

In addition to the partners listed above, working groups will include community leaders and residents who are most directly impacted by disparities, advocates, philanthropic organizations and public agencies. The groups will develop collective action plans and will work with a Data Advisory Council to measure impact and help inform decision-making and monitor community conditions. 

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut 
United Way closes gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy to make the 860 region an equitable place where everyone succeeds. United Way does this by aligning partners across sectors to end poverty; leveraging information and experience to deepen impact; connecting people with resources and opportunities to make a difference; and, transforming the future with game-changing solutions. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.   

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