United Way of West Central Connecticut

United Way of West Central Connecticut's SALT Symposium had a wonderful event on Wednesday. The Bristol CT Senior Center filled the room with individuals interested in the topics being presented.

Thank you to Amston Home Transition Solutions, LiveWell, and New Season In Life, LLC for presenting at this year's event.

Thank you to all our door prize winners and those who provided prizes - Tracy - Driscoll Insurance & Financial Services, Family Roots Produce Market, Bristol Blossoms, Bristol Senior Center, Bristol All Heart/City of Bristol, LiveWell, Amston Transitions Solutions, and New Season In Life.

To learn more about the SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Council and organizations supporting seniors and their families, email Nancy Micloskey at [email protected] or call 860 582-9559 X402

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Join us for United Way of West Central Connecticut's Community Impact Celebration! (Previously known as Community Builders' Reception)

On Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 6:30pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol, United Way of West Central Connecticut will showcase the impact Community Partners have in leading the way to resilient communities, celebrating the connections impacting our community, and leading the way into the future.

Along with dinner, guests have the opportunity to meet United Way of West Central Connecticut's Community Partners, learn about shared accomplishments, and honor the collective work done to strengthen our communities. Tickets are $75 per person.

Together, we are working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.

To purchase a ticket visit - https://bit.ly/UWCommunityImpactCelebration

For more information on the event, tickets, or event sponsorship opportunities, contact Sarah Mitchell, Resource Development Coordinator, [email protected].

And be sure to check back throughout the month to see who the Community Partners being celebrated are!

Join us today for United Way of West Central Connecticut's SALT Council Symposium at 1:00pm at the Bristol CT Senior Center (240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol).

The event is FREE and open to all - seniors, caregivers, those who have older adults they care about, and those working in the field. Seniors from Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth are all welcome to attend. No Registration Required - walk-ins are welcome.

This day has become a symbol of hope by uniting the goodwill and good deeds of the nation.

The 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance can help pay tribute to those touched by the tragedies of this day, as well as keep hope for a better future alive. It is a chance to strengthen communities and pay tribute to those touched by the tragedies of this day, as well as keep hope for a better future.

How are you turning the anniversary of 9/11 into a day of doing good?

Today is International Literacy Day!

This year's theme is "Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace". Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on 8 September around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.

For more information on this day, visit - https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy

Mark your calendars: 9/8 is the first annual ! Be part of the movement happening nationwide to promote the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and mental health support.

Find more information about 988 Day and how you can get involved: samhsa.gov/988Day

Today is . How are you giving back to your community?

United Way of West Central Connecticut has wonderful volunteers, supporters, and partner agencies who help our communities thrive. Today we celebrate your meaningful work and our resilient communities made possible by YOUR support.

To learn more about how you can make a difference visit uwwestcentralct.org

The next Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry is Friday, September 6!

We welcomed the Bristol Bulldogs 7th grade Football Team as volunteers at our last distribution. These young men unloaded the truck, assisted in carrying bags, and shared smiles on a Friday morning. On behalf of United Way of West Central Connecticut and Connecticut Foodshare - THANK YOU!

Interested in volunteering? The Mobile Pantry welcomes individuals, businesses, community organizations, and groups to sign up for a distribution. For more information or to sign up, email Manny Martinez, [email protected]

The Mobile Pantry is held in the parking lot of First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bristol, CT (31 Maple Street, Bristol, CT). Volunteers are needed from 8:00am - 9:30am.

We hope you can join us for United Way of West Central Connecticut's SALT Council Symposium on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Bristol CT Senior Center (240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol).

The event is FREE and open to all - seniors, caregivers, those who have older adults they care about, and those working in the field. Seniors from Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth are all welcome to attend. No Registration Required - walk-ins are welcome.

We will host speakers from , LiveWell, and New Season In Life, LLC.

For more information email Nancy Micloskey at [email protected] or call 860 582-9559 X402

September marks ***dePreventionMonth – a time to remember the lives lost to su***de, the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts & the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. If you are in distress, call or text 9-8-8.

Today our office is closed in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 3.

Participation in this year’s election is a vote for your community, your family and the issues you care about. Check your registration status, request a ballot and make a plan to vote early.

Visit https://vote.gov/register/connecticut for all the information on how you can vote in the 2024 election.

Please join us for United Way of West Central Connecticut's SALT Council Symposium on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Bristol CT Senior Center (240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol).

The event is FREE and open to all - seniors, caregivers, those who have older adults they care about, and those working in the field. Seniors from Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth are all welcome to attend. No Registration Required - walk-ins are welcome.

We will be hosting speakers from , LiveWell, and New Season In Life.

For more information email Nancy Micloskey at [email protected] or call 860 582-9559 X402

The seventh year of United Way of West Central Connecticut's Walsh Summer Work Experience Program (WSWEP) is on the books!

We are so proud of all the students who participated in this year's program. Students gained knowledge in career readiness, time management, working as part of a team, and problem-solving. Connecting youth with local employers is one way United Way keeps communities thriving.

Thank you to Bristol Health, Oma's Pride, Family Roots Produce Market Creative Jam Art Co., The Bristol Bazaar, Primo Press, ShopRite of Bristol, and Rolling Video Games of New England for not only providing employment but life-skills they will carry throughout their schooling and careers.

The WSWEP is funded by MSCF Tim and Mary Walsh Charitable Fund at the Main Street Community Foundation at the Main Street Community Foundation, Farmington Bank Community Foundation, City of Bristol (Bristol All Heart) Community Development Block Grant, and the Wally Barnes Fund for Community Leadership Initiatives at the Main Street Community Foundation.

Thank you to all those who supported United Way of West Central Connecticut's 2024 Adopt-A-Child Back to School Program.

Over 450 students who registered, through our partner agencies and schools, received a brand-new backpacks and school supplies!

Since 2005, when we began keeping official records, United Way of West Central Connecticut has helped to ensure that 10,126 students in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth, start the school year off on the right foot.

Thank you to all those dedicated to making a change in our community! 🩵

Thank you to Cigna Healthcare / The Cigna Group Careers for your donation of backpacks and school supplies and ServiceMaster Albino for 65 backpacks and school supplies to United Way of West Central Connecticut's Adopt-A-Child program.

Thank you again for helping all the families we support!

Sharing is caring! Here are some resources put together by Connecticut Foodshare!

Need help beyond food? Here are some community resources rounded up by Connecticut Foodshare - please share far and wide !

Read past issues and subscribe here: ctfoodshare.org/PastSubCR

Yesterday we had two United Way of West Central Connecticut Board Members, Cindy Arthur, Client Relationship Officer and Andrea Cote, Residential Loan Officer with Torrington Savings Bank volunteer. They brought several donated backpacks, filled with school supplies, on behalf of the bank.

Thank you to all those who have supported United Way of West Central Connecticut's Adopt-A-Child Back-To-School Program. We are hard at work sorting and packing all the backpacks for our partner organizations to pick up next week.

We have had a busy week at United Way of West Central Connecticut with backpacks and school supplies being dropped off for the Adopt-A-Child Backpack program.

Thank you to our volunteers, Katie Koser, Sue Casey and her granddaughters, and Cheryl Ericson, who were sorting supplies, packing backpacks, and checking in donations.

A special thank you to the Staff and Board Members of Main Street Community Foundation and their work neighbors ACG North America for filling two bags with school supplies for our backpacks. It takes a community of Change Makers to support the over 400 registered students in this year's program.

While there is still one more day to drop off supplies, you can still help! We are still accepting new backpacks and school supplies, and financial donations so we can do the shopping for you! To make a donation visit - https://bit.ly/AdoptAChildBackpackDonations

If you have questions about the program, please contact Sarah Mitchell at [email protected] for all the details.

Please check out what BristolWORKS has to offer those in our communities!

You read that right! Anyone who is residing or employed in Bristol, Connecticut may enroll in our programs for FREE! 🙌🏼

But if you live outside of Bristol, you may still join our programs for a fee! You're very much welcome here 🙌🏼

Our free training for Bristol residents is all thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, through the City of Bristol. Take this as a sign to enroll now! 😉

There is no Mobile Pantry today. Connecticut Foodshare offices and mobile pantries are closed for their annual staff day.

We will be back on Friday, August 23 at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bristol, CT

If you are in need of food please call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to find a food program near you.

Sign up for mobile food pantry texts to get all the locations and dates you need by texting FOODSHARE to 85511 or texting COMIDA to 85511.

A reminder for all our Connecticut Foodshare friends. There will NOT be a Mobile Pantry this Friday, August 9 at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bristol, CT.

Reminder that mobile food pantries and offices/facilities will be closed on 8/9. Regular hours resume on Monday, August 12.

If you are in need of food please call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to find a food program near you.

Sign up for mobile food pantry texts to get all the locations and dates you need by texting FOODSHARE to 85511 or texting COMIDA to 85511

Adopt-A-Child Backpack drop-off and packing is in full swing!

Thank you to today's volunteer, Kourtney - former United Way of West Central Connecticut intern - for coming in to lend a hand. Gabby, 2024 American Savings Foundation intern and Kourtney tagged and labeled the donations dropped off today.

Thank you to Cheryl Lindstrom, AVP/Community Outreach Officer with Thomaston Savings Bank for the donation of backpacks, Lisa Ayotte and Rosies Laundry Company LLC for backpacks, school supplies, and gift cards, Webster Bank for backpacks, school supplies and gift cards, and Shannon with American Legion Auxiliary Unit 2 who adopted over 50 students for this school season.

There is still time to support our students! Contact Sarah Mitchell at [email protected] for all the details. We are still accepting school supplies and gift cards from Wal-Mart and Target. (Gift cards allow us to shop for additional items that are needed to fill the backpacks.)

We are ready for Adopt-A-Child drop offs next week! 🍎📚✏

Gabby, United Way of West Central Connecticut's Summer Intern, has prepped the collection space, counted backpacks and school supplies that were dropped off early, and is ready to greet all the wonderful supporters starting Monday.

Thank you to all the individuals, businesses, and community organizers who make this program possible. Your donations allow us to mobilize and distribute resources to those most in need. Over 400 students registered this year for the program.

If this post reminded you about Adopt-A-Child or you're new to United Way of West Central Connecticut area - there is STILL TIME to lend a hand. Here's how:

📚 DROP OFF a NEW backpack or school supplies Monday through Friday, between 9:30am and 3:00pm at our office located at 440 North Main Street, Bristol, CT.

🍎 DONATE. United Way of West Central Connecticut accepts cash donations, large and small, to purchase backpacks and school supplies so you don't have to. LINK HERE to donate. https://bit.ly/AdoptAChildBackpackDonations

If you have questions about Adopt-A-Child or ways you can get involved, email Sarah Mitchell [email protected] or call 860-582-9559 x407.

📣 We need your help! We have 150 registered students who STILL NEED to be "adopted" for this school year! 📣

We are asking for your help again this year. YOU can help ensure a fantastic first day of school in three ways.

📚 ADOPT one or more students on the waiting list. To select a student, https://bit.ly/AdoptAChildDonorRegistration to complete an online registration form. United Way volunteers will match you based on your preferences.

✏️ HOST a school supply donation drive. You can place a box at a restaurant, coffee shop, bank, where you work or location people visit. Let United Way of West Central Connecticut know where you're collection drive is and we can help spread the word. Here is the list of school supplies we are collecting.https://www.uwwestcentralct.org/.../2024_SupplyList.pdf

🍎 DONATE. United Way of West Central Connecticut accepts cash donations, large and small, to purchase backpacks and school supplies so you don't have to. LINK HERE to donate. https://bit.ly/AdoptAChildBackpackDonations

If you have questions about Adopt-A-Child or ways you can get involved, email Sarah Mitchell [email protected] or call 860-582-9559 x407.

Meet Gabrielle, our American Savings Foundation Summer Intern!

Gabrielle, a recent graduate of Pace University with a degree in Finance, joined United Way of West Central Connecticut in June. She has been communicating with Adopt-A-Child Backpack Program donors, designing flyers, and researching local businesses for the 2024 Workplace Campaign.

"While my academic background is in finance, I will be diving into the marketing side of United Way this summer. I look forward to being involved in driving positive change within our communities."