SAVE Program offers property tax relief for volunteers
DANBURY, CT -- United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) is proud to announce that volunteers in the SAVE (Seniors Add Valuable Experience) Program have completed 8,567 hours in the last year, service valued at $211,519.33 to the city of Danbury. This year, 48 seniors volunteered at 19 City of Danbury departments and nonprofit agencies located in the city.
Since its inception in 2008, SAVE has provided financially-qualified Danbury homeowners age 65 and older an opportunity to receive real estate tax relief through volunteer service at organizations and agencies throughout the city. Each volunteer must complete 100 hours of service over the course of the fiscal year, although many serve well more than that amount.
SAVE makes it easier for seniors to remain in their homes, keeps them active in their communities and gives them the opportunity to share their skills with local organizations.
“The SAVE Program provides a remarkable opportunity for older adults in Danbury to age in place in their homes and remain active contributors to city departments,” said Kimberly Morgan, CEO of UWWC. “The program enriches the agencies and city departments who benefit from the skills and energy of the volunteers, and the volunteers who remain connected to their communities.”
SAVE is supported by The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Inc. and UWWC administers the program for the City of Danbury. UWWC is responsible for interviewing participants and matching them to local volunteer opportunities.
For more information on the SAVE Program and how to become involved, please contact Special Projects Coordinator Morgan Greening at morgan.greening@uwwesternct.org or 203-297-6736.
Photo: Participants in the SAVE (Seniors Add Valuable Experience) Program celebrate the end of the program year with an ice cream social at United Way’s Danbury offices on July 26,2018. In 2017, 48 SAVE volunteers completed more than 8,000 hours of volunteer service to City departments and nonprofit agencies in the City of Danbury for a value of $211,519.33.
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:
Sofia Dupi
United Way of Western Connecticut
203-297-2716
sofia.dupi@uwwesternct.org
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