At United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, we are committed to empowering every individual to thrive, no matter their race, ethnicity, or zip code. Through the lens of equity, we focus our work daily on addressing immediate basic needs and the underlying systemic barriers to health, quality education, and long-term financial stability. 

The Cora’s Kids team held a panel in collaboration with the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Danbury Public Library where providers spoke to an audience interested in learning more about starting an at-home daycare through our program. 

Community members and individuals involved with other initiatives led by Cora’s Kids heard from five daycare owners, including: 

We are thrilled to share some very exciting news with our United Way community. Effective July 1, 2023, we will merge with United Way of Coastal Fairfield County to create a new entity: United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut!

This year, we mobilized more than 200 volunteers throughout Stamford, Northern Fairfield County, and Southern Litchfield County for our annual Day of Action. We were joined by 17 corporate and 19 nonprofit partners to complete projects scattered across our 15-town footprint. 

Day of Action bridges the gap between our donors and other nonprofit agencies by demonstrating the difference that an entire day of volunteerism can make in our communities. Each volunteer gives around 5 hours of their time, totaling hundreds of hours of volunteerism on a single day.

Isabel Almeida, President of United Way of Western CT (UWWC), joined the award-winning “For the People” Podcast for the first half of a two-part segment focused on our latest food security initiative: the Greater Danbury Food Farmacy.

Social service agencies that assist residents of Danbury to apply for funding through the City of Danbury Social Service Grant Program! Agencies that provide services in the following three areas will be eligible for funding: 1) Housing and shelter; 2) Mental health; and 3) Food security. Funding is distributed through a one-year allocation process, with the grant covering the fiscal year of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

United Way of Western Connecticut awarded two Stamford High School Students as the recipients of the Roberta K. Eichler Heart of Gold Scholarship for 2023. Jose Portillo and Kayla Williamson, both students at Westhill High School in Stamford, were presented with their scholarships during a UWWCT Stamford community council meeting. 

United Way of Western Connecticut announced the award of $1,050,000 through Congressionally Directed Spending to launch a food as medicine ‘Greater Danbury Food Farmacy’ initiative in partnership with Nuvance Health and Connecticut Institute for Communities (CIFC). Funding comes because of support from United States Senator Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal. The Food Farmacy aims to improve health outcomes and food security amongst Nuvance Health and CIFC clients experiencing diet-related comorbidities who also screen positive for food insecurity.   

United Way of Western Connecticut is partnering with Red Rooster Pub in Newtown for the month of May!

Red Rooster will be donating $1 to our organization for every order of pancakes, waffles, and french toast sold. Community members are invited to participate in this fundraiser until the end of the month.