Community Comes Together to Perform Acts of Kindness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
Cell – 860.834.0128
mwade@uwgnh.org

United Way’s Commitment to Volunteerism and Civic Engagement Illustrated Through
Day of Caring Efforts and Results

Thousands of local volunteers from New Haven, Bethany, Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, West Haven and Woodbridge participated in a week-long community service event organized by United Way in partnership with Yale-New Haven Hospital, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, WTNH News Channel 8/MYTV 9 and 94.3 WYBC. From Sept. 11-15, volunteer teams joined together in 195 projects, along with 58 drives for the benefit of our region’s nonprofit agencies, schools and parks. This annual celebration of volunteerism served as a kick-off to United Way’s workplace campaign, currently taking place.

Company teams and volunteers participated in projects such as painting murals at a youth center, reading books to be recorded for the blind and dyslexic, repairing bicycles, replenishing woodchips in a school playground, and hosting an ice cream social at a complex for the elderly. In addition to these projects, drives were organized to collect hats, books, toys, diapers, and cell phones among other items. These projects helped build relationships between volunteer groups and nonprofit agencies in the Greater New Haven area.

“Civic Engagement is one of United Way’s top priorities,” said Jack Healy, Chief Executive Officer of United Way. “We strive to increase the number of people who are active, engaged citizens in their communities by providing a wide spectrum of opportunity—Day of Caring being just one of the many.”

NewAlliance Bank employees were particularly supportive of Day of Caring this year. Many took the morning off from work to read to Wexler-Grant students grades K-5. Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven donated a dozen books to each classroom that participated in the volunteer project, leaving the students with permanent additions to their classroom libraries. “Not only was it gratifying to do something that helped my community but it was also wonderful to meet these kids. They were so excited to see a new face enter their classroom and it gave me the chance to share one of my favorite childhood books with them,” said one NewAlliance manager.

Over the course of just five days, through 250 different volunteer projects and drives, Day of Caring totaled over 4,000 hours of volunteer work worth $100,000. “United Way is about so much more than just fundraising,” said Heather Calabrese, Chief Operating Officer of United Way. “The success of Day of Caring illustrates our community members’ desire to connect with one another. Our ultimate goal is to improve people’s lives so one of our major efforts in doing this is providing the opportunities to connect in meaningful ways.”

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about how United Way is changing lives can be found at www.uwgnh.org.

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THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY: SEPTEMBER 9-15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

From September 9-15, thousands of volunteers from throughout the region will participate in United Way of Greater New Haven’s annual Day of Caring. This event, one of the largest volunteer initiatives in the state, began as a kick-off to United Way’s annual workplace and individual campaign which supports their work to change community conditions and improve lives. In the wake of the September 11th tragedies and the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, it has evolved into a weeklong celebration of volunteerism and a way for many local residents to give back to their communities and reach out to those in need in the greater New Haven region.

Each year, United Way organizes volunteer teams from area companies, organizations, schools and civic groups and matches them with one-time improvement projects and collection drives that benefit local nonprofit agencies, schools and parks. Many of these one day projects often develop into lasting relationships between volunteers and agencies.

This year, there are over 150 distinct Day of Caring projects, activities, and collection drives planned. Activities will take place in Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Shelton, West Haven and Woodbridge. With over 75 companies and organizations registered to volunteer, United Way anticipates that Day of Caring 2006 will be a tremendous success.

Day of Caring is sponsored by United Way of Greater New Haven and Yale-New Haven Hospital with support from WTNH/MYTV9, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield and 94.3 WYBC.

For a list of projects and drives in your town or more information about Day of Caring, visit http://www.uwgnh.org/day_caring.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at http://www.uwgnh.org/.

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United Way invests over $200,000 in local early childhood programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2006

Media Contact: Sarah McNeely

203.772.2010, Ext.225
smcneely@uwgnh.org

United Way of Greater New Haven has awarded nearly $200,000 to eight local nonprofit organizations for their early childhood programs. Grants were made as part of United Way’s Success By 6® initiative and are focused on improving the quality of early care and increasing parents’ and primary caregivers’ knowledge of the developmental milestones their children should meet to be ready for school.

United Way received over $500,000 in grant requests. Funding decisions were made by a committee of volunteers from area organizations such as NewAlliance Bank, Higher One, WTNH-CH 8, Bank of America and Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute.

The following organizations received a second year of Success By 6 funding for their early childhood programs:
Area Cooperative Educational Services for its Family Resource Center
All Our Kin for its Family Child Care Toolkit Box Licensing Project
Fair Haven Community Health Center for its Well Baby Group Care Program
New Haven School Readiness Council for The ABCs of School Readiness Project
West Haven Community House for its Raising a Reader program

The following programs were awarded new Success By 6 grants:
Greater Dwight Development Corporation for its Montessori School on Edgewood program
The New Haven Reads Community Book Bank for its Kindergarten Success project
West Haven Child Development Center for its Early Childhood Team Approach project.

Through Success By 6, United Way will also invest over $20,000 to help child care programs throughout the region attain accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

ABOUT Success By 6
Success By 6 is the nation’s largest community-based early childhood movement. Its goal is to ensure that all children birth to six are healthy, nurtured and ready to learn by the time they enter kindergarten.

United Way of Greater New Haven launched Success By 6 in October 2004 based on key findings presented by the Community Compass data collection project.

Among the data collected and analyzed, Economic Health/Disparity and Education Disparity surfaced as regional issues of highest priority. These issues profoundly affect the region’s most vulnerable children, as economic challenges and lack of quality early learning experiences can place them at a disadvantage from the start. Their chances for success in school and in later life are greatly affected as a result.

Through Success By 6, United Way is committed to addressing the root causes of these problems in order to improve outcomes for children and change lives.

Yale University and the NewAlliance Foundation each contributed grant dollars to start Success By 6 and donor support has continued to grow ever since.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

For more information about United Way of Greater New Haven’s community leadership and how you can help please visit www.uwgnh.org.


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United Way of Greater New Haven Names Director of Finance and Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

Christian Diaba of Hamden Connecticut has recently been named Director of Finance and Administration for United Way of Greater New Haven. In this position, Diaba will be responsible for all financial and administrative functions within the organization. Newly appointed CEO Jack Healy says, “Because United Way of Greater New Haven is committed to financial transparency, we are thrilled to bring aboard an employee of Diaba’s caliber to maintain this level of precision.”

Before joining the United Way of Greater New Haven, Diaba held a position as Assistant to Fiscal Officer at Crossroads Inc. in New Haven, as well as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) for both Southern Connecticut State University and the City of New Haven in which he prepared individual income tax returns for the community. In 2004, he received the Outstanding Service Award in the City of New Haven for his work at with VITA.

Diaba graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2000 with a major in accounting. He also received his Master of Business Administration from Southern Connecticut in 2006.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at www.uwgnh.org.

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Local Professional Accepted into Prestigious Resident Fellows Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

Sarah McNeely, Program Director at the United Way of Greater New Haven, has been accepted into the inaugural class of United Way of America’s Resident Fellows Program. Newly introduced by the United Way of America, this Resident Fellows Program gives outstanding employees a chance to enhance their business core functions within United Way, in order to better their specific division. She will be joining 26 other United Way employees from all across the nation.

Looking forward to the start of this learning experience, McNeely says, “I’m very excited about being accepted to this program. I think that it’s a great opportunity that will help me to grow both personally and professionally.”

Throughout the year, Resident Fellows will focus on specific program objectives such as: networking, professional development, exposure to United Way Best Practices and Standards of Excellence and identifying United Way business issues and challenges in order to develop implications for change. During the program orientation, held June 19-23 at United Way of American in Alexandria, Virginia, the Fellows received customized learning based on the Consultative Selling principles.

“Sarah is one of that growing group of talented young professionals who are making New Haven their home, says Jack Healy, newly appointed CEO of United Way of Greater New Haven. ”We are fortunate to have Sarah working on a project as important as Success By 6® that has a profound impact on children’s lives. Sarah will learn from experts and other talented young professionals through this exclusive national program and bring that learning back to New Haven.”

A Hamden resident, McNeely is a 2004 graduate of Fairfield University with Bachelor’s degree in both Political Science and Spanish. After graduating, she completed a 5-month internship with the United Way of Greater New Haven, where she helped to manage campaign accounts in the New Haven region, as well as assisted in the development of effective marketing approaches. In January, 2005 she was hired as Program Coordinator for Success By 6®, a national United Way initiative which helps to ensure that all children are ready to learn upon entrance into kindergarten. Ms. McNeely is credited with the successful launching of the first and second grant cycles for Success By 6.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at www.uwgnh.org.

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United Way of Greater New Haven Appoints Director of Leadership Giving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

John (J.R.) Logan, has recently been named Director of Leadership Giving, a newly created position at United Way of Greater New Haven. In this position Logan will focus his efforts on enhancing United Way’s relationship with its leadership level donors and deepening their understanding of United Way’s work.

Before joining the United Way of Greater New Haven, Logan held a position as Community Fellow at Aloha United Way in Honolulu. This position gave Logan the chance to experience each department of Aloha United Way by working with various accounts, helping to facilitate the grant making process, developing projects focused on community building, as well as participating in marketing and resource development functions.

Originally from Oxford Michigan, Logan graduated from Alma College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He then went on to get a Master of Public Affairs, with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Public Management at Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Logan also received a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from The Fund Raising School at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. In addition, his credentials include an internship position in Warsaw, Poland at the Polish Agency for Foreign Investment.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at www.uwgnh.org.

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United Way Employee Selected Co-Chair of the Greater New Haven Association of Volunteer Administrators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

Janitha McCray Price, Community Impact Associate and Volunteer Link Coordinator at United Way of Greater New Haven, has recently been elected Co-Chair of the Greater New Haven Association of Volunteer Administrators (GNHAVA). GNHAVA is a professional membership organization uniting individuals engaged in volunteer management and dedicated to enhancing the competency of volunteer administrators and strengthening the profession of volunteer resource management.

Founded in 1983, the main goal of GNHAVA is to promote combining efforts between agencies and volunteer administrators, creating an environment that supports the enrichment of volunteer programs by sharing information and resources. This organization also provides a significant opportunity for networking as members plan and act together on matters of common interest.

Since joining GNHAVA in 2002, McCray Price has served as the organizations membership chair. Her responsibilities included developing membership materials, creating and implementing new recruitment and retention plans, and corresponding on behalf of the Association with newsletters and notifications to members and other entities.

Her new position as Co-Chair entails committing to co-leading and working collectively as one of the principal officers of the Association. McCray Price will preside at all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee and appoint all standing and special committee chairs with the approval of the Executive Committee. McCray Price is responsible for selecting and appointing committee chairs while simultaneously serving and working on activities for each committee as needed.
GNHAVA’s 2006-2007 Annual Membership is $50.00 and includes one pre-paid seat at each of GNHAVA's three workshops during 2006-2007, one pre-paid seat at AVA’s Annual Meeting, Opportunities for networking and publicizing organizational events on GNHAVA's website and quarterly newsletter. For more information contact new Membership Chair, Beverly Kidder at (203) 785-8533 or choicessccaa@snet.net.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at www.uwgnh.org.

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United Way Announces New Chairs of Success By 6® Advisory Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

United Way of Greater New Haven has named two new Chairs to its Success By 6 Advisory Council. Dr. Cheryl S. Saloom and Dr. John Leventhal, both accomplished professionals in the fields of childcare and education, will guide a team of over 25 professionals on the Advisory Council of United Way’s early childhood initiative. Success By 6 works to improve the educational disparities of our region through the promotion of leadership, dialogue, public policy and regional planning involving early childhood-related issues.

Dr. Cheryl S. Saloom, former Executive Director of ACES in Hamden has an extensive background in the field of education. In addition to over a decade of experience in special education, professional development and curriculum development, Saloom holds an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Columbia University. She is the founding member of the ACES Education Foundation and the Founding President. Saloom also serves on both the United Way of Greater New Haven Board of Directors and the Successful Children & Youth Action Team. Saloom is a resident of Avon, CT.

Dr. John Leventhal, Professor of Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, has been at Yale-New Haven Hospital since 1978. He is a Board-certified Pediatrician and Medical Director of the Yale Child Sexual Abuse Clinic and Child Abuse programs, including a large prevention program at the Children’s Hospital. Leventhal is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a research fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to his work at Yale, Leventhal has participated in many community activities, including the Board of Directors of Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven and the Commission on Infant and Child Health and advisory groups for the Department of Children and Families. Leventhal is a resident of New Haven.

“As an educator in New Haven County, I have always been committed to providing quality education to children, from pre- school through high school, says Saloom. The issues
surrounding early care and education are multi layered and are critical to the healthy and successful growth of a family and of a community. I believe that the work of United Way, through its Success By 6 initiative, demonstrates that an active and committed public can move forward a critical agenda in our community.”

Leventhal adds, “I believe that Success By 6 can help our community in three critical ways. First, it can energize and focus our community on the developmental needs of young children and how we can improve services; Second, it can help identify promising programs that need funding and support so that these programs can be expanded to meet children's needs; and third, it can help to raise money through the United Way for these efforts.”

Together, Saloom and Leventhal will lead the Advisory Council to help advance the impact of Success By 6 on the Greater New Haven community and guide its work to address the regional opportunities to improve early childhood education.

About Success By 6®:
Success By 6 is the nation’s largest community based movement of public and private partners that work together to improve outcomes for children. In September 2004, United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) became one of over 360 United Ways throughout the United States and Canada to adopt the initiative. UWGNH is committed to ensuring that the children of this region are ready to learn when they enter school and have a solid foundation for lifelong success.

About United Way:
United Way brings together the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about Success By 6 or United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help please visit http://www.uwgnh.org/.

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