Middlesex United Way Announces $840,000 in Funding

Middlesex United Way Board of Directors has approved fund distributions in the amount of $840,000 for fiscal year 2013-14. This funding includes support to 49 programs in Middlesex County, including $15,100 for United Way 2-1-1 and $15,000 in special one-time funding.

Funding will be distributed to programs in the following focus areas, consistent with United Way’s Five Year Goals for the Common Good:

• Education - to increase children’s readiness to learn by school entry: $135,671;
• Income - to increase the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and families: $56,200;
• Health - to reduce the rate of risky behaviors among youth and adults and improve the health and increase the safety of individuals and families: $498,451; and
• Housing – to increase the ability of individuals and families to attain affordable housing: $119,578.

Middlesex United Way invests in the areas of education, income, health and housing because all four are necessary for a good quality of life. Middlesex United Way helps to meet critical needs and invest in long-term initiatives that create real, lasting change. This funding is made possible by 7,800 generous donors in Middlesex County.

In addition, Middlesex United Way invested $15,100 in United Way 2-1-1, a 24-hour information and referral helpline that is available free of charge to anyone in Connecticut. 2-1-1 is a partnership between Connecticut United Ways and the State of Connecticut. To reach this service, simply dial 2-1-1 from any phone or visit 211ct.org.

Middlesex United Way also approved one-time grants of $5,000 each to the Middlesex Coalition for Children, Middlesex Chamber’s Youth at Work program, and NEAT’s Double Dollars Program.

The funding approved for the Middlesex Coalition for Children will be used to support the recent hiring of a part-time executive director, which was previously a volunteer position. The Middlesex Coalition for Children addresses issues preventing children in Middlesex County from reaching their full potential. The Middlesex Chamber’s Youth at Work Program provides six weeks of summer employment, at 20 hours per week, to more than 80 youth enrolled in free and reduced lunch program or whose family income falls within 185% of the poverty level. Finally, the Double Dollars Program, part of NEAT’s seasonal farmer’s market, doubles federal vouchers to help families access healthy produce. For example, if a customer spends $20 in SNAP benefits, they will receive $40 in produce.

Middlesex United Way is a locally based organization dedicated to strengthening lives, helping people, and improving community conditions in the fifteen towns in Middlesex County. Middlesex United Way serves the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.