35 nonprofit agencies to receive program support for households living paycheck to paycheck
DANBURY, Conn. (June 11, 2018) — United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) announced today the investment of nearly $498,000 to support education, financial stability, and food insecurity programs in Greater Danbury, Greater New Milford, and Stamford. The funding supports households that fall within the ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) income threshold and below. ALICE families earn income above the federal poverty level, but not enough to make ends meet. ALICE includes the people we depend on every day, such as childcare providers, nursing assistants, and grocery store cashiers.
“We are hearing firsthand the difference that these programs make in the lives of ALICE families in Western Connecticut,” said Kimberly Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of UWWC. “Helping ALICE households keep fresh food in the house, support children's success in school and access free financial services to help families stay on budget and save—these are ways we can alleviate stress and improve the lives of people who work at meaningful jobs, but just don’t make enough to pay all of the bills. United Way is pleased to invest half a million dollars in our communities to support programs that provide critical services to our hardworking neighbors.”
Education Funding
UWWC’s funding for education helps families afford quality early childhood, after school and enrichment programs for their children:
- $157,440 will support 10 early childhood agencies that will make quality childcare more affordable for parents in the region. Childcare can be the greatest single expense for families with preschool children, consuming as much as 28% of a family’s income if they have one infant and one toddler.
- $125,560 will support 13 after-school programs that provide affordable and accessible after-school care for lower income families.
- $75,000 will be invested in United Way’s ALICE Enrichment Fund, which helps families afford the cost of out-of-school activities for their children. In 2017, more than 350 children were able to play sports, take swim lessons, learn a musical instrument, or participate in a variety of other activities because of this fund, which provides funding support up to $300 per child.
Financial Stability
To help ALICE families achieve stronger financial footing, United Way will fund $62,000 to three nonprofit organizations: The Bridge to Independence and Career Opportunities (TBICO) in Danbury, Catholic Charities, and Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) in Stamford. Each agency will deliver financial literacy training and budget coaching to individuals in the ALICE population. The partner agencies will collect three key outcomes to measure clients’ success:
- improving credit health,
- helping clients achieve one financial goal, and
- ensuring adherence to a household budget.
Since United Way began funding financial stability programs in 2016, more than 600 individuals have benefited from these programs.
Food Insecurity
UWWC will invest $78,000 to alleviate the stress faced by residents who are food insecure. Funding supports Connecticut Food Bank to bring monthly mobile food pantries to Stamford, Danbury and New Milford. Combined, these pantries provide free, fresh food to 600 households each month. Additionally, Filling in the Blanks and Connecticut Food Bank are funded to provide weekend food packs to public school students in Danbury and Stamford. UWWC focuses on providing fresh, healthy food that improve nutritious choices while reducing a family’s grocery bill.
For more information about UWWC’s programs and funding details, please contact Bridget Fox, UWWC’s Chief Impact Officer at 203-883-0960 or bridget.fox@uwwesternct.org or visit our website at www/uwwesternct.org
The following is a list of programs funded by United Way for 2018/19.
Early Childhood Education Funding | After School Funding | ALICE Enrichment Funding | Financial Stability Funding | Food Programs Funding
Early Childhood Education Funding | After School Funding | ALICE Enrichment Funding | Financial Stability Funding | Food Programs Funding
Early Childhood Education Funding Total: $157,440
Organization, program name/description
Northern Fairfield County / Greater Danbury $72,000
Organization, program name/description
Northern Fairfield County / Greater Danbury $72,000
- Regional Y, Regional Y Early Education Program
- Little People Learning Center, Little People Learning Center
- Salvation Army, The Right Place
Southern Litchfield County / Greater New Milford $13,440
- Children’s Center of New Milford, Outdoor Classroom
- Kent Education Center and Nursery, Nursery Early Learning Program
- VNA Family Support, Family Support
Stamford $72,000
- Abilis, Birth to Three Early Intervention
- All Our Kin, Supporting Home Day Cares
- Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County
- Stamford Jewish Community Center, Sarah Walker Nursery School
After School Funding Total: $125,560
Organization (areas served) program name/description
Northern Fairfield County / Greater Danbury $50,000
Organization (areas served) program name/description
Northern Fairfield County / Greater Danbury $50,000
- Danbury Family Learning Center, Extended Learning Program
- Danbury Grassroots Academy
- Danbury Youth Services, Target
- Family and Children’s Aid, EXTEND
- Regional Y, School Age Program
Southern Litchfield County / Greater New Milford $13,560
- New Milford Youth Agency, Elementary School Enrichment
- Pratt Nature Center, After School Nature Enrichment
- Village Center for the Arts, Club Mud
Stamford $62,000
- Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, Project Learn
- Domus Kids, Lion's Den
- Inspirica, Children's Services Program
- Stamford YMCA, LEAD Academy
- Stamford YMCA, LEAD High School
- Danbury - Danbury Youth Services, Inc
- Stamford - Person-to-Person
- New Milford (Southern Litchfield County) - MVP-SOS
- Newtown - Newtown Dept. of Social Services
- Bethel - Bethel Dept. of Social Services
- Brookfield - Brookfield Dept. of Social Services
- New Fairfield - New Fairfield Dept. of Social Services
- Ridgefield - Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield
- Redding - Redding Dept. of Social Services
- Catholic Charities (Greater Danbury)
- TBICO (Greater Danbury/Southern Litchfield)
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center (Stamford)
- CT Food Bank (Mobile Pantries in Danbury, Stamford, and New Milford) Mobile pantries
- Filling in the Blanks (Stamford) Weekend food packs
- CT Food Bank (Danbury) Weekend food packs
Total grant awards 2018/19: $498,000