Education
United Way is increasing opportunities for children and youth to succeed through programs and initiatives designed to:
- Expand access to quality early learning educational experiences for children birth through 5.
- Increase the number of youth 5 through 18 who have opportunities to experience success and achieve their potential.
Partners and initiatives helping to achieve our education goals include:
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Greater Waterbury Campership Program
Untied Way, together with the Camp Bureau at the Republican-American Newspaper, administers this program which enables approximately 500 children to attend summer camp each year. United Way staff administers the application process, eligibility determination, placement of children in camps, and payment to camps.
Bridge to Success
United Way, through grants from the Graustein Memorial Fund and State of CT worked in partnership with many community stakeholders to support the Bridge to Success initiative which was launched on the efforts of three complementary initiatives including the Waterbury School Readiness Council’s Blueprint focusing on children birth to eight, the Prevention Policy Board’s Community Youth Plan focusing on ages five to twenty-one and the Waterbury Public School’s District Improvement Plan. Waterbury is the only city in the state that has one plan addressing the needs of children and youth, birth to age 21. The Bridge to Success Plan has five strategic areas: Parent and Family Engagement, Child Health and Development, Early Care and Education Services, Positive Youth Development, and Workforce Development.
Prevention Policy Board
The United Way was instrumental in the development of the Policy Prevention Board (PPB), which provides a network for children and youth serving organizations to come together to assess and plan for the service needs of this population. United Way and the Connecticut Community Foundation have provided support for the development of this initiative. Waterbury Youth Services is the fiduciary agency responsible for ensuring support services and planning under the umbrella of the PPB.
IBM Technology Grant
IBM Corporation provides a technology grant to support nonprofits that provide services related to literacy, education, and workforce skill attainment. United Way facilitates an application and selection process for local 501© 3 organizations that meet the eligibility requirements of IBM. This long standing partnership with IBM has brought over 130 computers into our community.
Nonprofit Assistance Initiative
United Way and the Connecticut Community Foundation established this program to provide organizational development support to nonprofit agencies in the area. Areas of focus include board development, management capacity, and strategic planning. NAI is the capacity building arm of our organization.
Outcome Measurement Initiative
United Way assists its funded programs and partners in developing and implementing a system to measure the impact of their services on their clients and the community. Using outcome measurement data, United Way communicates the value of these services and initiatives more effectively, while providing individual programs with a tool to improve their effectiveness.
Emerging Needs Fund
The United Way created this fund to address emerging community needs. The fund is administered by the Community Impact Cabinet of the Board of Directors.
