United Way Of Coastal Fairfield County Inc

SERVES THE 12 COMMUNITIES IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY: BRIDGEPORT, DARIEN, EASTON, FAIRFIELD, MONROE, NEW CANAAN, NORWALK, STRATFORD, TRUMBULL, WESTPORT, WESTON AND WILTON CONNECTICUT. OUR MISSION IS "TOGETHER, WE MOBILIZE OUR COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES." OUR VISION IS THAT ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WILL THRIVE, LEADING TO STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

UWCFC HELPS IMPROVE LIVES BY TACKLING THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES IN A COMMUNITY. WE DO THIS BY WORKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY KEY PROBLEMS AND UNDERSTAND THEIR CAUSES. WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER CHANGE AGENTS -FROM NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS TO BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS, AND ADVOCATES-TO IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES. LAST YEAR, WE WORKED WITH OVER 150 COMMUNITY PARTNERS, MOBILIZED OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS, AND INVESTED $3.3 M IN OUR COMMUNITIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE FACILITATED THE FLOW OF $1.9M IN FEDERAL SUPPORTS FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. OUR WORK FOCUSES IN THREE AREAS: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, SCHOOL SUCCESS AND CAREER READINESS, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY.1. IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEINGUNITED WAY WORKS TO PROMOTE PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN. MATERNAL HEALTH/CHILD DEVELOPMENT: OUR BRIDGEPORT PROSPERS INITIATIVE PROMOTES MATERNAL HEALTH AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT THROUGH AN ARRAY OF SUPPORTS CALLED "THE BABY BUNDLE." THIS BUNDLED APPROACH HAS BEEN LAUDED AS "A MODEL FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT" BY THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD, AND AS A "REPLICABLE MODEL FOR THE NATION" BY THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.AMONG THESE SUPPORTS ARE: 1. DOULA CARE FOR EXPECTANT MOMS. THIS BENEFITS BOTH MOMS AND BABIES, RESULTING IN SHORTER LABORS, FEWER CESAREAN DELIVERIES, MORE FULL-TERM BIRTHS, HEALTHIER BIRTHWEIGHTS, AND INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BREASTFEEDING. THANKS TO THE ADVOCACY EFFORTS WITH OUR PARTNERS, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IS EXPLORING PROVIDING DOULA SUPPORT FOR MEDICAID FAMILIES. 2.HOME VISITS FOR NEW FAMILIES. HOME VISITS PROVIDE HEALTH EXAMS FOR POST-PARTUM PARENTS AND BABIES, AND CONNECT FAMILIES TO ANY NEEDED SUPPORT SERVICES. OUR TEAM IS COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF HOME VISITING FOR NEW FAMILIES GIVING BIRTH AT LOCAL HOSPITALS. HOME VISITS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO REDUCE FAMILY ANXIETY BY 28%, EMERGENCY ROOM CARE BY 50%, AND REFERRALS TO CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES BY 44%. 3.PARENTING TOOLS- 80% OF A CHILD'S BRAIN GROWTH HAPPENS IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF LIFE, BUT PARENTS OFTEN LACK INFORMATION AND SUPPORT DURING THIS TIME. WE EQUIP THEM WITH TOOLS TO FOSTER AND TRACK HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND BASICS PARENTING EDUCATION (PROVIDED TO 4,695 FAMILIES IN BRIDGEPORT AND NORWALK LAST YEAR).MENTAL HEALTH: THE US SURGEON GENERAL AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS HAVE SOUNDED THE ALARM OVER THE STATE OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH. SCIENCE TELLS US THAT LIFELONG HEALTH AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES ARE OFTEN LIMITED BY TRAUMA (FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR HOME DYSFUNCTION). TO ADDRESS THE GROWING CRISIS, OUR UNITED WAY WORKS ON 2 KEY PATHS:1.DIRECT FUNDING OF LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS ACROSS AGE GROUPS, E.G., AN AFTERSCHOOL BASEBALL PROGRAM FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH; TRAINING IN SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; A PEER GROUP FOR MEN WITH UNTREATED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS. 2.SUPPORT FOR THE BRIDGEPORT PROSPERS' RESILIENCE INITIATIVE, WHICH WORKS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF TRAUMA'S IMPACT, AND TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE. 2. IMPROVING SCHOOL SUCCESS AND CAREER READINESS -FAIRFIELD COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAPS IN THE UNITED STATES (A DISPARITY IN STUDENT PERFORMANCE BY INCOME AND RACE/ETHNICITY). ACCORDING TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY, THE GAP BEGINS BY AGE 2 (ACHIEVEMENT GAP INITIATIVE). CLOSING THIS GAP TAKES THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF PARTNERS FROM ALL SECTORS, WORKING ON KEY INFLECTION POINTS IN A CHILD'S LIFE.THAT'S WHY OUR UNITED WAY INVESTS IN COLLECTIVE IMPACT MOVEMENTS IN OUR TWO LARGEST CITIES, NORWALK AND BRIDGEPORT. THESE MOVEMENTS- BRIDGEPORT PROSPERS AND NORWALK ACTS-ENGAGE PARTNERS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR ALL CHILDREN, FROM CRADLE TO CAREER. THEY AIM TO ENSURE INFANT HEALTH, SCHOOL READINESS, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AND PREPAREDNESS FOR COLLEGE OR WORKFORCE. UWCFC ALSO FOCUSES SPECIFICALLY ON EARLY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOP TOGETHER FROM BIRTH, STARTING WITH INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND BABIES. LATER READING PROFICIENCY REQUIRES ACCESS TO BOOKS, ESPECIALLY AT HOME. DATA SHOWS THAT READING ON-LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE CORRELATES WITH SCHOOL SUCCESS; IN FACT, STUDENTS NOT MEETING THIS BENCHMARK ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. WITH THE DATA IN MIND, OUR UNITED WAY STARTS EARLY, PROVIDING READING COACHING AND BABY BOOKS FOR EXPECTANT AND NEW MOMS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTE BOOKS TO FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY DURING SUMMER MONTHS, WHEN STUDENTS OF ALL AGES OFTEN LOSE ACADEMIC GAINS. THIS IS VITAL FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, 2/3 OF WHOM HAVE NO AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS AT HOME. SURVEYS SHOW THAT PARENTS SERVED BY THESE INITIATIVES (OVER 3,600 LAST YEAR) ARE MORE LIKELY TO SHOW AFFECTION, ENCOURAGE, READ AND RESPOND TO THEIR CHILDREN-BEHAVIORS THAT CORRELATE WITH LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS. TO PROMOTE READING PROFICIENCY BY THE KEY THIRD GRADE BENCHMARK, WE FUND READING SUPPORT AND INTERVENTIONS FOR STRUGGLING K-2 READERS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL). SERVING OVER 4,300 STUDENTS LAST YEAR, THESE INITIATIVES TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS READING AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL. TO ADVANCE CAREER READINESS, WE UNDERWRITE THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT STEM LEARNING ECOSYSTEM (GBSLE). THE GBSLE PROVIDES LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH AS PATHWAYS TO CAREERS IN GROWING STEM FIELDS. OFFERINGS INCLUDE ENRICHED LEARNING IN ROBOTICS, CODING, AND ACADEMIC ESPORTS. TO PROMOTE COLLEGE ENROLLMENT AND CAREER READINESS, THE PARTNERSHIP HOLDS TRAININGS IN APPLYING FOR COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID (FAFSA), AND IN USING TALLO, AN ONLINE PLATFORM LINKING STUDENTS TO SCHOLARSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, AND APPRENTICESHIPS. THE GBSLE SERVED OVER 600 STUDENTS LAST YEAR.3. IMPROVING FINANCIAL STABILITY -FAIRFIELD COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST AFFLUENT AREAS IN THE US, BUT ITS WEALTH IS NOT EQUALLY SHARED. AT LEAST ONE OUT OF SIX FAMILIES IN EVERY TOWN STRUGGLES TO MAKE ENDS MEET. UWCFC UNDERSTANDS THAT ECONOMIC INSECURITY NEGATIVELY IMPACTS EVERYONE'S HEALTH, AND THAT HUNGER OR AN UNSTABLE HOME ADVERSELY AFFECTS A CHILD'S SUCCESS IN SCHOOL.TO ASSIST THOSE STRUGGLING, OUR UNITED WAY: 1.PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR BASIC NEEDS: WE FUND THE CT 2-1-1 INFOLINE TO CONNECT CALLERS TO ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. LAST YEAR, WE FIELDED OVER 51,000 REQUESTS FOR HELP IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY. ALSO, WE AWARDED GRANTS TO AREA SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS IN 10 TOWNS TO PROMOTE FOOD ACCESS AND STABLE HOUSING (RENT OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE) FOR HUNDREDS OF AREA FAMILIES. WE PROVIDED WEEKEND BACKPACKS OF FOOD FOR STUDENTS WHO RELY ON SCHOOL MEALS FOR NUTRITION.2.OPERATES THE COMMUNITY MESSENGERS ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM. MESSENGERS PROVIDE RESOURCES, ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES, AND IDENTIFY UNMET NEEDS IN ORDER TO CO-DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO COMMUNITY ISSUES. LAST YEAR, THESE "TRUSTED MESSENGERS" PROVIDED RESOURCES TO 5,500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THEY ALSO REPRESENTED COMMUNITY VOICE TO POLICY-MAKERS, SERVING IN 12 ADVISORY GROUPS BOTH LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE. 3.FACILITATES THE FLOW OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FOOD AND HOUSING SUPPORT. OUR UNITED WAY CHAIRS THE AREA COMMITTEES FOR THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM. LAST YEAR, THIS PROGRAM MOBILIZED 34 COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO AWARD $1.1M TO 26 AREA AGENCIES PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR FOOD, EMERGENCY SHELTER, UTILITIES, AND RENT ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, WE SERVED AS FIDUCIARY FOR THE FEDERAL HUD GRANTS FOR HOUSING SUPPORTS, TOTALING $745K.IMPORTANTLY, UWCFC DOESN'T JUST RESPOND TO HARDSHIP: WE ALSO EMPOWER WORKING FAMILIES TO BUILD STRONGER FINANCIAL FOUNDATIONS. WE FUND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS KEY RISK FACTORS-E.G., LOW INCOME, LACK OF EMPLOYMENT, UNSTABLE HOUSING-WITH MENTORSHIP, PEER SUPPORT, AND/OR JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE DISADVANTAGED OR DISENFRANCHISED: UNDERSERVED YOUTH, SURVIVORS OF SEX TRAFFICKING, FAMILIES IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY (OR AT RISK OF BEING) HOMELESS (638 INDIVIDUALS).WE HELP FAMILIES BUILD A SAVINGS SAFETY NET THROUGH THREE INITIATIVES: ALICE SAVES/TRUST PLUS, WHICH OFFERS FINANCIAL COACHING AND SAVINGS INCENTIVES; VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE, WHICH PROVIDES FREE TAX PREPARATION TO HELP FAMILIES AND SENIORS CLAIM TAX CREDITS OFTEN MISSED; SINGLECARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAVINGS. THESE INITIATIVES HELPED 9,182 FAMILIES SAVE $6.2M LAST YEAR.AT UNITED WAY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY, WE KNOW THAT COMMUNITIES THRIVE WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR FULL PROMISE. THANKS TO THE ENGAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY, THE COLLABORATION OF PARTNERS, AND THE GIFTS OF GENEROUS DONORS, THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHTER EVERY DAY.

DESIGNATIONS: ONE ROLE OF UNITED WAY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY HAS REMAINED THE SAME, OUR FACILITATION OF DONOR'S PLEDGES TO NON-PROFIT AGENCIES OF THEIR CHOICE. WITHOUT OUR PRESENCE IN CORPORATE CAMPAIGNS, THIS SERVICE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.THE FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT WE SUPPLY, ALLOWS DONORS TO CONTRIBUTE IF THEY WISH TO DESIGNATED CHARITIES WITHIN COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY OR IN THE TOWN THEY LIVE IN.