United Way of Westchester and Putnam

📢 Exciting News 📢

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Summer EBT program will provide $120 per child to help families with food costs. This initiative will benefit 1.5 million kids with a total of $200M in food assistance.

🗓️ Apply by September 3 to ensure your family receives these benefits.

ALICE families, is your food budget tight this summer? Call 211 to check your eligibility or visit, ny.gov/SummerEBT

United For ALICE United Way of New York State

Thank you, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, for the great work you do for our community! I was happy to donate backpacks and notebooks for your Back to School Supply Drive. Looking forward to partnering with you in the future!

Thanks for the gift, Westchester Library System! We appreciate the thought, but we think this 'How to Lose Gracefully' book must have been delivered to the wrong nonprofit. Don't worry, we'll make sure it reaches its rightful owners, perhaps Volunteer New York! or Feeding Westchester? May the best team win!

Who's your pick to win Westchester Nonprofit Family Feud: Westchester Library System, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Volunteer New York, or Feeding Westchester? Cast your vote and follow each organization provided in the form for a chance to win a special prize!

Fill out the form here! (https://ow.ly/xBXR50SRfpi)

Last month, staff from United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and United Way of New York City met with congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. to discuss critical issues such as 211, the HELP Act, SNAP, the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped advocate for the health, education, and financial stability of every person.

United Way of Westchester and Putnam believes that every child deserves to be in a loving home. It takes a lot of elbow grease, make no mistake, but for the right adult, foster parenting is a huge joy.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, they can now dial 2-1-1 or visit our website for information.

We are incredibly grateful to the group of 35 volunteers from New York Power Authority who came to our office last week to assemble reading and food kits and fill backpacks for our Summer Backpack program!

Our Summer Backpack program works in partnership to bring resources to those in need, reduce the “summer slide,” and help families divert the cost of school supplies to other much-needed resources.

Thank you, New York Power Authority team. Your support is greatly appreciated. Together, we’re creating a more equitable community!

United Way of Westchester and Putnam is committed to enhancing the well-being of 40% of our community members grappling with poverty or financial instability. We achieve this goal by supporting education and training programs that demonstrate tangible outcomes, such as Cell-Ed.

Cell-Ed is a mobile learning platform designed to help practice language skills, digital literacy, financial literacy, and child development.

Sign up today (for free) using the code below to start exploring the opportunities for growth!

Thank you to volunteers from MVP Health Care for devoting your time and energy to assembling literacy kits for our Summer Backpack Program last week!

These kits—delivered to low-income, school-aged children throughout the summer—are filled with books and engaging activities to keep students’ minds active and growing all summer long while preventing the “summer slide.”

We are incredibly grateful for MVP Health Care’s support. Together, we will continue to provide help for today, hope for tomorrow, and the resources to build a better future for our local community.

We recently visited Teens Under Construction, Inc.'s Free Store event at the Ridge Hill Mall, where items donated through our Essential Goods for Basic Needs program were distributed to those in need in our community.

It was heartwarming to see our donations in action: Bombas socks, Bluetooth headphones from Toys for Tots, Coats from World of Giving, Clothing and household items from Walmart, Books, and Brooklinen bedding, linens, and clothing

This is our Essential Goods for Basic Needs program at work –connecting donations of goods from businesses and retail partners to local nonprofits and ultimately to those in need within our community

Together, we're building a stronger Westchester!

🚨Exciting Announcement! 🚨

This morning, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a $350 million expansion to child care credits, set to benefit over 1 million low and moderate Income families across New York!

Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, commends this historic initiative, which started in 2021, emphasizing its significance for ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) with children. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also reinforces the dignity and stability of families throughout NY.

Learn More:

Governor Hochul Announces $350 Million in Direct Financial Assistance to Low- and Moderate-Income Families Across New York Governor Hochul announced New York State is delivering approximately $350 million in supplemental payments to low- and moderate-income families statewide through the Empire State Child Credit program.

Thank you to the team of volunteers from Stryker who recently helped us assemble and distribute backpacks filled with school supplies for our Summer Backpack program.

Our Summer Backpack program works in partnership to deliver food parcels filled with supplemental food, books, and activities for school-aged children to enjoy throughout the summer to low-income families in Westchester and Putnam counties.

We're incredibly grateful for Stryker's support. Together, we're creating a more equitable community.

On August 13th, the inaugural Westchester Non-Profit Family Feud Challenge will take place, featuring the Westchester Library System, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Volunteer New York, and Feeding Westchester! Jan Fisher from Nonprofit Westchester will be our gameshow host!

Who will come out on top in this epic battle of wits and goodwill? We want to hear from YOU! Fill out our form to cast your vote for which organization you think will win the challenge.

To sweeten the deal, we're giving away special prizes to 10 lucky participants! To enter the draw, simply:

1. Fill out the form with your prediction.
2. Follow each of these amazing organizations on social media provided in the form (Facebook and/or Instagram/LinkedIn).
3. Share/tag your friends and family!

Don't miss out on this fun and exciting event. Get involved, support your favorite non-profits, and you could be one of our lucky winners!


Fill out the form here! (https://ow.ly/uzVF50SHMf8)

May the best team win!

Final day on Capitol Hill!

Despite the rain, today Faith and Avery met with the offices of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to continue advocating for 211 and the HELP Act, SNAP, and the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.

Thank you, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Chuck Schumer. We are grateful for your dedication to our community's needs!

Together we are building thriving Westchester and Putnam counties!

Today Faith and Avery are learning about the opportunities available to work with the Office of Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships.

This afternoon our team continued conversations with more congressional representatives, including Rep. Pat Ryan, Rep. Tom Suozzi, and Congressman Marc Molinaro. We discussed 211, HELP Act, SNAP, Child Tax Credit, and Earned Income Tax Credit. Every conversation brings us closer to positive change for our communities. Thank you, Representatives Patrick Ryan, Tom Suozzi, and Marc Molinaro for your ongoing dedication to our communities!

Our team just wrapped up a productive morning in meetings with several Representatives from Congress! We discussed crucial legislation to support 211 networks, SNAP, and Child Tax Credit & Earned Income Tax Credit. Thank you, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Congressman Anthony D'Esposito, and Congressman Nick LaLota , for your time and commitment to our communities!

What is United Way of Westchester and Putnam doing in Washington, D.C.? Today, our Chief Impact Officer, Faith Ann Butcher, and Director of Community Impact, Averyann Zuvic, are joining over 150 United Way colleagues on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and the Senate to advocate for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Westchester and Putnam counties. Stay tuned for highlights!

Today, our President & CEO, Tom Gabriel, is presenting at the United Way of New York State 2024 Conference about ALICE: Marketing & Storytelling for Advocacy & Awareness. Great work, Tom! Your leadership continues to inspire and make a difference.

We are grateful for State Senator Shelley Mayer's partnership in supporting our community! See the image below for locations to drop off school supplies for students and teachers by Saturday August 10th. Together we can ensure a strong start to the school year!

As the new school year approaches, please consider supplies to help our students and teachers! I’m proud to partner with United Way of Westchester and Putnam to host another Student & Teacher Back-to-School Drive. Drop supplies off at any of the four locations listed.

Celebrating International Pride Day! 🏳️‍🌈 Today we honor LGBTQIA+ courage, resilience, and diversity. Let's continue building a world of acceptance and equal rights for all.

The Putnam Summer Backpack Program helps students stay focused and engaged all summer by providing weekly deliveries of food, books, and activities to low-income families of school-aged children from July 11- August 22.

This program is for families with students that qualify for free or reduced lunch and is limited to 100 Putnam households.

Sign up by July 3 through the link in the comments!

As part of our work to create a more equitable community, we offer free access to resources to improve early childhood literacy for Westchester and Putnam residents through our United2Read program.

This program is open to families with children under the age of 5 who live in Westchester or Putnam and whose household income is below $107,000.

Sign up using the link in the comments!

Thank you to Veolia Water New York for sponsoring our SHRED IT event last week and to our partners who participated. We'd also like to extend our gratitude to M&T Bank for volunteering their time and effort to make this event a success. Together we shredded 181 boxes of documents safely and sustainably. Thank you to all who participated!

Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, Westchester Children's Association, Greyston, WestCOP, Girls Inc. Westchester, Lagond Music, Port Chester Carver Center, Meals on Wheels of White Plains, Friends of Rye Nature Center, CAREERS Support Solutions.

Inscríbase en nuestro programa de verano Feeding United, que ayuda a los estudiantes a mantenerse concentrados y comprometidos durante todo el verano mediante entregas quincenales de alimentos, libros y actividades a familias de bajos ingresos con niños en edad escolar, del 10 de julio al 21 de agosto.

Este programa es para familias con estudiantes que califican para el almuerzo gratis o reducido y limitado a 1000 hogares de Westchester.

¡Inscríbete antes del 3 de julio a través del enlace en los comentarios!

Sign up for our Feeding United Summer Program that helps students stay focused and engaged all summer by providing biweekly deliveries of food, books, and activities to low-income families of school-aged children from July 10- August 21.

This program is for families with students that qualify for free or reduced lunch and limited to 1000 Westchester households.

Sign up by July 3 through the link in the comments!

On Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and honor the resilience, strength, and perseverance of African Americans. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, it wasn't until June 19th, 1865, that the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally freed. This day serves as a reminder of the long and arduous journey towards equality and justice, and we must continue to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Let us celebrate the progress made while remembering the sacrifices of those who came before us. Happy Juneteenth!

Join us in supporting fresh, healthy food access for all! We've partnered with the Field & Fork Network to get the word out about the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Double Up Food Bucks NY is a nutrition incentive program that increases food security and improves nutrition security by offering SNAP shoppers a $1 for $1 match on purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $5 per day!

Head to ACME Markets at 660 McLean Ave in Yonkers to sign up and start saving!

Together, we can make nutritious food more affordable and accessible in our community.

Check out these beautiful thank you cards we received from our clients of our Ride United Transportation Access program! Seeing the smiles and reading these heartfelt messages reminds us why we do what we do.

Our Ride United Transportation Access program is dedicated to breaking down barriers that hinder access to healthcare, quality jobs, education, and more. Through our partnership with Lyft, we offer free rides to residents of Westchester and Putnam Counties without access to a vehicle or car.