United Way Of Southeastern Conn Inc

TO INSPIRE AND COORDINATE THE GENEROSITY AND COMMITMENT THAT SUSTAINS A UNITED, THRIVING COMMUNITY.

GEMMA E. MORAN UNITED WAY/LABOR FOOD CENTER:THE GEMMA E. MORAN UNITED WAY/LABOR FOOD CENTER IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FAMILIES FACING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY IN SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT. ONE OUT OF EVERY FIVE CHILDREN IS FOOD INSECURE, MEANING, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY MAY EAT THEIR NEXT MEAL. THE FOOD CENTER PROVIDES FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO MORE THAN EIGHTY FREE EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT NEW LONDON COUNTY WHICH HELPED TO FEED OVER 20,000 PEOPLE EVERY MONTH. THESE SITES INCLUDE SHELTERS, FOOD PANTRIES, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, DAY CARE CENTERS, COMMUNITY MEAL SITES, AND PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY. LAST YEAR, THE FOOD CENTER DISTRIBUTED OVER 1.75 MILLION MEALS AND SNACKS, AT NO COST, TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGHOUT NEW LONDON COUNTY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING OPERATING EXPENSES, UNITED WAY ALSO HELPS TO MOBILIZE GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SORT, ORGANIZE, AND PACKAGE FOOD AT THE FOOD CENTER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN FOOD DRIVES TO HELP KEEP THE SHELVES FULL.

COMMUNITY WELLNESS: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT SUPPORTS PROGRAMS LOCATED IN NEW LONDON COUNTY THAT PROMOTE AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY WELLNESS. THE OUTCOME FOR THESE PROGRAMS IS TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH. THESE PROGRAMS IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, ELIMINATING PERSONAL BARRIERS AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE.UNITED WAY'S PARTNER PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITY WELLNESS IMPROVE ACCESS TO PRIMARY MEDICAL, DENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; PROVIDE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO BUILD HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES; PROVIDE ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES; AND PROVIDE SERVICES FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE. ONE EXAMPLE OF A POSITIVE RESULT FROM A COMMUNITY WELLNESS PARTNER IS FROM MADONNA PLACE'S GREAT BEGINNINGS PROGRAM. GREAT BEGINNINGS IS A PROGRAM DISIGNED TO ENGAGE HIGH-RISK PREGNANT MOTHERS, INCLUDING FIRST TIME MOTHERS WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER PROGRAMS AND NON-FIRST TIME MOTHERS. GREAT BEGINNINGS ALSO ENGAGES FATHERS THROUGH A FATHERING COMPONENT LED BY A FATHERING HOME VISITOR. THE PROGRAMS USES PARENTS AS TEACHERS, AN EVIDENCED-BASED PARENT EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT HOME VISITING MODEL. WITH THS MODEL, MADONNA PLACE PROVIDES PREGNANT WOMAN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF POOR BIRTH OUTCOMES; AS WELL AS INFANT CARE THAT SUPPORTS OPTIMAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT DURING THE CRUCIAL EARLY YEARS OF LIFE. SERVICES INCLUDE WEEKLY HOME VISITS, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT SCREENINGS, FAMILY SUPPORT, PARENT EDUCATION, GROUP CONNECTION MEETINGS AND REFERRALS TO OTHER RESOURCES AS NEEDED. PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY.

BASIC NEEDS:UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT SUPPORTS PROGRAMS LOCATED IN NEW LONDON COUNTY THAT HELP STABILIZE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ENABLING THEM TO FOCUS ON THE NEXT STEPS TOWARDS THEIR ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY NOW AND INTO RETIREMENT. UNITED WAY'S PARTNER PROGRAMS IN BASIC NEEDS MEET THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL OF HUMAN NEEDS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET INCLUDING FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION AND SHELTER, PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PROVIDE HOUSING WITH SUPPORT SERVICES, AND PROVIDE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AND HEATING ASSISTANCE. THE OUTCOME FOR THESE PROGRAMS IS THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET.THE NEW LONDON COUNTY FUND TO END HOMELESSNESS FOCUSES ON RAPIDLY REHOUSING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS WELL AS KEEPING THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR CURRENT HOUSING WITHOUT EVER HAVING TO ENTER SHELTER. THE GOALS ARE TO REDUCE THE LENGTH OF TIME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES STAY IN SHELTER, REDUCE NEW EPISODES OF HOMELESSNESS, AND REDUCE RETURN ENTRIES INTO HOMELESSNESS. FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR ARE STRUGGLING WITH LOSING THEIR HOUSING FACE MANY BARRIERS. THE FIRST CALL FOR HELP IS TO UNITED WAY 2-1-1 WHERE A HOUSING SPECIALIST WILL DETERMINE IF SOMEONE IS EITHER HOMELESS OR IMMINENTLY HOMELESS. THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY IS REFERRED TO EASTERN CONNECTICUT'S COORDINATED ACCESS NETWORK FOR AN INTAKE APPOINTMENT WHERE ALL POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO SHELTER ARE EXPLORED. UNITED WAY IS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PROGRAM. DIRECT HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY 5 AREA ORGANIZATIONS: TVCCA, ALWAYS HOME, COVENANT SHELTER, NEW LONDON HOMELESS HOSPITALITY CENTER AND NORWICH HUMAN SERVICES. SERVICE PROVIDERS WORK THE PREMISE THAT SHELTER SHOULD BE USED AS A LAST RESORT. THIS MAY INVOLVE MEDIATION WITH A FAMILY OR LANDLORD, PROBLEM-SOLVING GUIDANCE, CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PAST-DUE RENT, SECURITY DEPOSIT, OR SIMILAR COSTS.