United Way grants 13 IBM computers to local non-profits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 6, 2008

Media Contact: Michelle Wade
Work: 203.691.4202
Cell: 860.834.0128
mwade@uwgnh.org

For the past nine years IBM has partnered with United Way of Greater New Haven to provide computers to deserving area non-profits. Since 1999, 46 computers have been granted in the Greater New Haven region. The recipients were chosen through United Way’s request for proposal process. The computers donated were desktops, laptops, and “Little Tikes” computers, which are designed specifically for pre-school and early learning purposes.

“This partnership with IBM is a great example of how collaboration can move change in a community forward,” said Jennifer Heath, Vice President for Community Leadership at United Way of Greater New Haven.

This year, the IBM computers were granted to New Haven Reads, East Haven Family Resource Center at DC Moore Middle School, Concepts for Adaptive Learning, STRIVE, and Easter Seals Goodwill Industries. The various organizations are utilizing the computers to improve computer literacy, internet research, and writing skills among children and adults, specifically disadvantaged residents of Greater New Haven who are unemployed.

For example, New Haven Reads and the East Haven Family Resource Center are utilizing the “Little Tikes” computers to enhance education in the areas of reading, math, and even science among children ages three to five. Many of the students using the computers do not have computers in their homes, but are eager to use them.

“The one-on-one time that a student gets with the computer and a tutor is a stark contrast from the chaotic experience that school can sometimes be and differences are recognizable almost immediately,” said Chris Alexander, Director of New Haven Reads. “Thanks to IBM and United Way, more children are being given access to technology that will support their learning and prepare them for a bright future.”

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 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 in Business New Haven on 02/04/2008

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Actions Speak Louder than Words
Community pillar John Crawford has spent a lifetime leading by example

"John has been one of the greatest forces for civic engagement, civic participation, civic leadership that I've seen in the 11 years I've been in New Haven," says Jack R. Healy, president of the United Way of Greater New Haven. "He is a champion of people taking responsibility for their community, and he does it with a very soft touch and is very inspirational and very engaging."

To read more: http://www.businessnewhaven.com/article_page.lasso?id=41674

Richard and Brigitte Cogswell: Parents with a Purpose

Richard and Brigitte Cogswell may not be the image that comes to mind when you think “soccer mom”, but that’s exactly what they are. Their children are the center of their lives. Shuttling daughters Agape and Destiny, ages 11 and age 8, to ballet, gymnastics, Girl Scouts, choir, and yes, soccer are what their days revolve around.

Brigitte originally came to United Way when she was Vice President of Nonprofit Strategies Group. She was hired as a consultant to transform the allocations process. Many years later she returned in volunteer capacities as the co-chair of the Community Impact Cabinet and a Board member. Said Brigitte, “I’ve seen what United Way is about from the inside out. First as a consultant carrying out the work of United Way; then as an Impact Cabinet and later a Board member setting the direction for United Way, to benefiting from agencies that are funded by UW, like the Girls Scouts, which my daughter's are now a part of.”

Richard became aware of United Way through workplace campaigns at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of St. Raphael’s where he was employed. He received first hand knowledge of United Way as a Loaned Executive for the 1997 campaign. “It was then that I learned how many organizations and people really are helped. And it was interesting to go and solicit companies for support. The Loaned Executive experience, the relationship and teambuilding training has been very useful in furthering my career. It allowed me to understand there are no barriers.”



In addition to their full-time jobs, both Richard and Brigitte are in school furthering their education. Brigitte, who is working towards her Master’s degree said, “I want my girls to know how important it is to never stop learning. Advancing your education is key to designing your own future. In our house, it’s God, family, community and education. Those are our priorities."

The Cogswell’s try to do as much as they can as a family. Although a great deal of their time is taken up by the many activities their daughters are involved in, they find time to give back by making their volunteerism family oriented. That way they are able to carve out the time to be involved in the community without taking time away from their family, while demonstrating first hand the kind of citizens they want their daughters to grow up to be.

Whether it’s through teaching at Children’s Church, serving pancakes at a fundraiser for their school, or as a volunteer soccer coach for New Haven Park & Recreation Youth Soccer, they are living examples of the virtues they want their daughters to embrace. Said Richard, “Coaching gives me an opportunity to be out in our community working with kids from all ethnic, social, and economic groups. The kids get to see a positive, African American, male, role model. It might sound hokey, but when I coach the girl’s soccer teams, I tell them there is no ‘I’ in team. We’re here to have fun and we’re here to work together. We win or lose together. Isn’t that what being a community is all about?”

Toro Snow Blower donated to New Haven Home Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan.18, 2008

Media Contact: Michelle Wade
Work: 203.691.4202
Cell: 860.834.0128
mwade@uwgnh.org

United Way of Greater New Haven is proud to announce that a partnership with local news station WTNH/MYTV 9 and Toro resulted in the donation of a brand new Toro snow blower to New Haven Home Recovery in order to help the organization function more efficiently during winter storms.

“We are thrilled to receive the Toro snow blower,” said Kellyann Day, Executive Director at New Haven Home Recovery.

“It will help us tremendously to ensure the safe and comfortable transportation of our guests during the winter months.”

New Haven Home Recovery is a local non-profit with several sites for women and children’s transitional housing. Its mission is to promote the independence of women and children confronting homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and behavioral health issues in a supportive environment where their potential can be realized.

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 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 in Business New Haven on 07/07/2008

John on the Spot

"Longtime area business leader John J. Crawford will be honored with a doctor of business administration degree during winter commencement exercises January 19 at the University of New Haven... Crawford has also held numerous leadership positions in the community, serving on the boards of United Way of Greater New Haven, Shubert Performing Arts Center, Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, among others."

To read more: http://www.businessnewhaven.com/article_page.lasso?id=41609

Robert and Que Payne: Making an Everlasting Impact

Experience Corps members mentor Hamden elementary school students

Que and Robert (Bob) Payne are in their 70’s and live in Hamden. Que has been retired for seven years; Bob retired two years ago. They were both surprised at how little free time retirement has provided them. Originally they had thoughts of traveling together after Bob finally retired from Yale-New Haven Hospital after 32 years of service. But between their grandchildren, church, activities at the senior center and the two teams Bob bowls on, life was full. Still they felt something was missing.

When a family friend told them about Experience Corps, a program that engages people over 55 to help elementary school students improve their reading skills, it sounded like exactly what they were looking for. So they attended an informational session but left the meeting feeling unsure about whether this opportunity was right for them.

“It was a big commitment...15 hours a week for a year. We’re older folks you know. We’re not sure that we’d always be physically able to do that. What if we were sick or if the weather was bad or if we were just plain tired? We have to think about things like that.” said Que.

Think about it they did. It was a significant commitment on their part, but eventually they decided Experience Corps was the right activity for them. Explained Que, “I can’t tell you how glad I am to be doing this. I only pray my health holds out. I look forward to getting up in the morning and getting out of the house. I’m not so focused on myself anymore. I’m not thinking about my health declining or growing older anymore.”

Bob is also enjoys seeing the kids. “They know who I am. They see me coming and shout, Mr. Payne! Mr. Payne! They noticed I shaved off my goatee before anyone else did!” In the beginning, Bob was a little hesitant about the idea of mentoring. He worried that his academic skills were a little rusty, but after the first day, realized the skills are secondary. “I had a boy who was not interested in math because he couldn’t read the instructions. I went over the instructions with him word by word, explaining each problem. The teacher doesn’t always have the time to do that. I have the time and the patience. When I was able to give that time to him, he was able to get it.”



Shared Que, "There was a little girl; she’s in the second grade. The reason the teacher had me work with her one-on-one is because the little girl is very quiet. They do a sharing time on Monday morning where the teacher puts them in little groups and they tell what their weekends were like. Apparently this little girl never shared. Her teacher thought that being with me one-on-one, maybe she would be more comfortable sharing.

I introduced myself and told her a little about me. Then I asked her a couple of questions. She kind of nodded. The minute I hit on, “Do you have any siblings?” she began to tell me how her mom is pregnant and how her mom is going to have this baby in four days and how she is so looking forward to having this little brother, how the nursery is all set, and how her mother moved her into another room and that it’s a bigger room and she got to say what color she wanted this room to be (purple.) We talked and talked about this gift of a baby brother until time was up.

When I brought her back, the teacher asked how things went. She said, “She didn’t talk at all, did she?” “Oh, yeah!” I said, “She talked a lot! She told me all about her baby brother and her favorite color and everything!” Now the teacher had more insight into something that she could talk about with her.

It’s really been a two way street. I feel like I get a whole lot more than I could give out. I don’t know how many times in my life I’ve heard a successful individual say that a neighborhood person, or a teacher, or a mentor, said something or did something that made a change in them. You’re not just working with a child today. You’ve making an impact that could be everlasting.”

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Experience Corps - Greater New Haven is a program that recruits, trains and places teams of older adults as tutors to students in grades K-3 in elementary schools. Experience Corps members work an average of 12-20 hours per week helping students to improve their reading and writing skills, working with small groups, in the classroom, and one-on-one. Training and supervision are provided. AmeriCorps stipends are available: $1500 per year for those who commit to serve 300 hours or $2500 for those who commit to serve 450 hours over the course of the year.

Experience Corps - Greater New Haven is a partnership between the Agency on Aging of South Central CT and United Way of Greater New Haven, in collaboration with Hamden Public Schools. This project is supported by the Connecticut Commission on National and Community Service, a partnership of the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps) and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. For more information please visit www.agencyonaging-scc.org

Show you care during the Holiday Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 30, 2007

Media Contact: Michelle Wade
Work: 203.691.4202
Cell: 860.834.0128
mwade@uwgnh.org

United Way’s “Holiday Help” website listing back this year

United Way of Greater New Haven has dedicated part of its website to listing opportunities for community volunteer projects this holiday season that are appropriate for families, friends, and the workplace. Opportunities include wreath making, decorating Christmas trees, adopting a family, and donating various items including food, clothing, and toys. The dates of events and locations for drop-off sites are posted in addition to contact information for each event. Visit United Way of Greater New Haven’s website at www.uwgnh.org.

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 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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Donate Diapers to the New Haven Diaper Bank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 30, 2007

Media Contact: Michelle Wade
Work: 203.691.4202
Cell: 860.834.0128
mwade@uwgnh.org

United Way is a convenient drop-off location

What is a better gift for the holiday season than one that is needed year-round? The New Haven Diaper Bank hopes to provide one of the most basic needs for New Haven’s youngest residents this holiday season and United Way of Greater New Haven is partnering with them as a drop-off location. United Way is located at 71 Orange Street in New Haven between Chapel Street and Crown Street. Diapers can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The New Haven Diaper Bank’s yearly goal is to provide 250,000 diapers to local families in need, with a hope of increasing the amount of diapers to 1,000,000 in the near future. The Diaper Bank accepts diapers of all sizes, but is especially in need of size 6 and Pull-Ups.
To find other drop-off locations, visit www.newhavendiaperbank.org/.

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 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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