United Way Invests More Than $1 Million to Advance Childhood Literacy Outcomes

Hartford, Conn. (June 28, 2023) — United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut announced today its investment of $1,008,400 across 29 community programs committed to advancing childhood literacy outcomes in central and northeastern Connecticut.   

“United Way is proud to provide funding that creates opportunities for 6,500 local children in our region to succeed academically by closing literacy gaps. Research confirms that children who read proficiently by the start of fourth grade are more likely to graduate high school prepared for successful futures. We know that these investments, along with our work in Dolly Parton Imagination Library and United Way Readers, will ensure that more children will achieve this critical milestone,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.   

The United WE READ awards, which were determined by United Way Impact Teams volunteers and approved by United Way’s Board of Directors at its June meeting, focus on strategies to increase third grade reading proficiency, a critical milestone that indicates children’s future success.  

Programs awarded have an intentional focus on improving literacy through curriculum, family engagement, child development, summer enrichment and connection to community resources. Organizations receiving awards include: 

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Inc.  
• Camp Courant 
• Catholic Charities, Inc. –  Archdiocese of Hartford  
• Community First School 
• ConnectiKids 
• Consolidated School District of New Britain  
• East Hartford Public Schools  
• Educational Resources for Children, Inc.  
• HARC, Inc.  
• Hispanic Health Council, Inc.  
• Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.  
• Literacy Volunteers of Central CT  
• Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters  
• The Salvation Army Southern New England Division  
• The Village for Families & Children, Inc.  
• Watkinson School 
• Windham Public Schools  
• Women’s League, Inc. Child Development Center  
• YMCA of Metropolitan Hartford, Inc.  
• YMCA of New Britain – Berlin  
• YWCA Hartford Region  
• YWCA of New Britain, Inc.  

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 find 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