Meet Our Amazing Spring 2022 Impact Philanthropy Grantees

We are proud to announce our 2022 Impact Philanthropy grantees!

United Way recently awarded grants to 17 community partners to promote health, education, and financial stability throughout our 12-town footprint. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $20,000.

The new grantees were selected from a pool of 62 applicants by a committee of 15 members from the community, staff, and UW Board of Directors.

Read about our partners’ inspiring work to meet community needs HERE.

Washington Comes to Bridgeport: A Salute to Our Pre-natal to Three Work

Staff from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) along with the US Health and Human Services (HHS) recently met with our Bridgeport Prospers team to explore best practices in Prenatal-to-Three initiatives.

OMB and HHS staff are seeking to improve outcomes for families with children under age 5 by developing a group of wrap-around services and supports needed to thrive. Our “Baby Bundle” is viewed as the type of holistic model that can achieve those results, and was recommended to federal staff by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative and the CT Office of Early Childhood.

Why is this work critical? Currently, the US has one of worst maternal mortality rates of any developed nation, more than double that of most other high-income countries. In addition, low-income families lack access to healthcare, food, housing, childcare, and employment that promote child development, well-being, and educational achievement.

United Way-led Coalitions Award $1.1 MM in Funding for Emergency Food and Shelter

Led by United Way, two local coalitions recently awarded $1.1.MM in funding for emergency food and shelter in the Greater Bridgeport and Greater Norwalk areas. The coalitions—called “Local Boards”—evaluated community needs, accepted applications from local agencies, and selected 30 providers for the federal awards from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). EFSP is a federally funded program administered by FEMA to support those experiencing or at risk of hunger and homelessness.

STEM Ecosystem to Host Esports Tournament

In order to create pathways to careers in growing STEM fields, the Greater Bridgeport STEM Ecosystem has been hard at work expanding Esports in our area.

The summer program will culminate in a citywide Esports tournament on August 16th at the University of Bridgeport, where students will compete in Rocket League.

Academic Esports, short for electronic sports, uses online video gaming as a platform to build skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving that youth need to thrive in work and in life.

Stay tuned for exciting announcements about Esports this fall.

Long-Term Impacts of Supreme Court Ruling That Overturned Roe v. Wade

The recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe V. Wade has sparked intense response nationwide. We explored the research on the likely real-world impacts of the decision on our collective health, education, and financial stability. The results may surprise you. Review them and our statement HERE.

United Way to Support Project Connect

Project Connect returns to Bridgeport for the first time in three years, and United Way will collaborate with 12 other community-serving organizations in the effort.

Project Connect is a one-day event that connects residents who are at risk of homelessness with free services and resources in housing, health, employment, family services, and social services.

Participants will enjoy music and lunch, and receive health assessments, KN95 protective masks, and adult backpacks with personal care items. The event will be held Thursday, August 4th at the University of Bridgeport’s Wheeler Recreation center.

Many thanks to our corporate partner Regency Centers who donated items for the day!

It’s Hot in Here! Events and Info from Your United Way