United Way of Western Connecticut has announced the names of two Stamford High School Students as the recipients of the Roberta K. Eichler Heart of Gold Scholarship for 2022. Breana Chery and Dante Ayars, both students at the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering in Stamford, were selected by the Heart of Gold Scholarship Committee as this year's recipients. 

It’s National Small Business Week and we are fortunate to have hundreds of small businesses right here in Western Connecticut. They are the backbone of our local economies and in many ways, the heart of our local communities.

“Word of Mouth”—that’s the way many parents learn what’s going on in their neighborhood, their community, and their child’s school. When parents need the name of a good pediatrician, wonder if they should worry about a persistent cough, or need to know when the soccer sign-ups are, they usually ask a trusted neighbor or friend.

No child should grow up without access to the resources and opportunity to meet their potential. 

New ALICE in Focus: Children research launched today reveals that 304,982 Connecticut children—42%—live in financially insecure households. And this is pre-pandemic, making it likely that today’s numbers are even higher. These families often face difficult trade-offs that can affect a child’s health, education, and future well-being.

Nearly 5 million families in the U.S. are eligible but have not received the Child Tax Credit — including more than 48,861 eligible families in Connecticut. The benefits of the expanded and advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) implemented through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 have been widely reported; yet millions of eligible low-income families have not yet received their credit.

We are thrilled to share the news that United Way of Western Connecticut is set to receive $1.2 million in Senate Directed funding through the passage of the Federal Omnibus Bill.

5-Day Equity Challenge Resources: Financial Stability

The resources shared during our 5-Day Equity Challenge were a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community.

Seven local organizations focused on addressing food insecurity among older Danbury residents have been awarded mini grants to fuel their work. Recipients include members of the Danbury Food Collaborative, an initiative working toward improving food security for the Danbury community. On March 3rd, 2022 the following organizations were notified of their selection: 

Throughout Black History Month we shared weekly reading lists across our social media. These lists were compiled from recommendations submitted by our colleagues, highlighting their favorite books from Black authors. Here are our top picks throughout the month of February.