Donations sought to provide back-to-school necessities for area children in need.
DANBURY, CT -- United Way of Western Connecticut(UWWC) is seeking sponsors from the community for its 2017 Back-To-School programs in Danbury and Greater New Milford to ensure that all children in need are served.
Thanks to the past generosity of our communities, this UWWC program has helped children from struggling families start the new school year on a positive note with a new backpack filled with school supplies, toiletry items and a gift card for clothing purchases. Last year, United Way’s Back to School programs supported the needs of nearly 800 students in Danbury, Greater New Milford and Stamford. This program is one of United Way’s signature initiatives that helps children from ALICE® households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
“There is nothing more magical that the look on a child’s face who has just received a new backpack stuffed with everything they’ll need to start the school year off with confidence,” said Isabel Almeida, UWWC Executive Vice President of Community Development. “But for many local families, the cost to equip their children with everything they’ll need to succeed in school is daunting. Our Back-To-School programs make a real difference to struggling families in our local community. There are still dozens of children on our back-to-school lists in Danbury and New Milford in need of sponsors. We encourage community members to invest in the success of area students by supporting this important program.”
United Way seeks either monetary donations or for community members to sponsor the full needs of an identified student.
Those wishing to make a donation can visit www.uwwesternct.org/give and designate their gift to any one of UWWC’s Back-To-School programs (Danbury, Greater New Milford or Stamford). To sponsor a child directly, contact our program managers listed below:
- In Danbury, contact Morgan Greening - Morgan.Greening@uwwesternct.org or 203-297-6736
- In Greater New Milford, contact Katy Francis - Katy.Francis@uwwesternct.org or 860-354-8800
Donations are kindly requested by August 9 to ensure we can meet demand before the August 16 and 18 distribution dates for families.
About United Way of Western Connecticut
United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) improves the lives of hard-working, struggling households by mobilizing the resources of local communities to create lasting change. We help residents across Northern Fairfield County, Southern Litchfield County and the City of Stamford by focusing on the vital building blocks for a good life: Education, Financial Stability and Health. We are committed to ensuring that every child enters school ready to learn, every family is financially stable, and every community we serve is healthy and strong. We are particularly focused on a population that United Way identifies as ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in our communities. A United Way report published in October 2016 revealed that in Connecticut, more than 1 in 4 households has earnings above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. Combined with those who are struggling below poverty level, 38% of all households in the state are experiencing financial hardship. By leveraging the collective power of the community, we are focused on creating an environment where individuals and families are self-sufficient and can achieve financial independence.
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Contact:
Sofi Dupi
Manager, Digital Media and Communications
United Way of Western Connecticut
203-297-6726
sofia.dupi@uwwesternct.org
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