United Way: Focusing on what really matters

This article is the first of a six-part series written about the United Way of West Central Connecticut, serving the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth, demonstrating its impact on “what matters.”

Community Matters
By: Jeanette Galván

In 2001, the United Way of West Central Connecticut adopted a new system for improving people’s lives in the communities it serves. The new model incorporated what had been done previously along with focused community impact work to create better living conditions, in the hopes of diminishing significant issues within the community and getting more people involved. This is the first article in a six part series, which will run each week, in an attempt to show not only how the model has changed, but also how it has had an impact on your community as a whole.

Before the new change was adopted, United Way raised funds and allocated them to partner agencies, which helped individuals and families in the community. While financial support is still given to many of these organizations, through multiple year funding, there is a more defined purpose when it is distributed.

This new model creates an idea of community impact. It now creates community changes by identifying three specific focus areas: youth, seniors and basic needs. Roberta Brown of Plainville Youth Services, who works with the “Kids in the Middle” initiative, believes that this model serves a better purpose, “This is a small town, and the new model gives us more of a focus.” Through programs such as Discovery, Kids in the Middle and pending senior initiatives, the new model will educate the community and improve the lives of everyone.

Aside from identifying areas that need focus, this new model creates more partnerships. More people are willing to help solve the problem and create a better community, reinforcing the idea of community impact. By bringing people together, this new model will not only try to impact the issue, but also create a lasting change in the community. “The new model brings the community together, and helps even more people by getting at the root of the problem instead of just the symptom,” said Sue Vivian, Director of the Family Resource Center at Plymouth Center School.

Because of the increase in partnerships there is better communication. “Before the model change it was more one-way, but since the change it has improved to two-way communication,” said Eleanor Parente, Administrative Aid to the First Selectman of the town of Burlington.

While the old model showed success through the amount of money raised, this new model will show success based on community impact results. People will be able to see the impact and the outcome. Some people have already seen this success, such as Rosemarie Cassin, Executive Director of the Bristol Adult Resource Center (BARC), who participates in the annual Day of Caring, an event sponsored by United Way. In the last few years, she has witnessed changes. “Every year it has gotten better. There are more volunteers and they are getting more things accomplished,” said Cassin.

Cary Dupont, President and CPO of the United Way of West Central Connecticut, believes this new model will help more people in the long run. “United Way focuses on improving lives. The new model allows us to continue to meet individual and family needs but not stop there. It involves bringing collaborative resources together to address issues at a community level,” said Dupont.

With a new focus, new initiatives and expanded partnerships, United Way is on the right path to improving more lives in the community – because that’s “what matters.”

Jeanette Galván, intern at United Way, is a senior at Hofstra University studying journalism and Spanish.