United Way of Norwalk & Wilton Approves Community Investments for New Fiscal Year

The United Way of Norwalk & Wilton recently announced that it has approved almost $1.35 million in community investments for the fiscal year 2005-06, according to Betty Karkut, Board Chair.

“Our Board of Directors in late June approved $1,348,000 for projects, initiatives, and grants for 2005-06 that we believe will significantly improve people’s lives and the communities we serve,” she reported.

The funding will be allocated through five strategies: Basic and Prevention Services, Community Response Fund, Community Impact Initiatives, Special Focus Grants, and Donor Restricted Gifts.

According to Ms. Karkut, $552,500 is being invested in Basic and Prevention Services delivered through 40 United Way partner agencies in the Norwalk - Wilton area. “The funding allows agencies to provide health and human services on a sliding scale fee so no matter what the family’s financial situation, care can be provided,” she said.

She added. “Some call this our ‘safety net investment.’”

The Community Response Fund is new this year, created by the United Way Board. Any 501(c) (3) health and human services organization serving Norwalk and Wilton can apply for funds to help address a newly identified need, an existing need with a new creative solution, or to meet an emergency, according to David R. Kennedy, President and CEO. $127,500 has been budgeted for the fund.

“I’m delighted to report that we will accept requests four times a year,” he said. “Over and over again, I have seen the need to respond quickly to emerging or unanticipated needs in the Norwalk-Wilton area with a process that focuses on results. This allows us to do that expeditiously.”

Most significantly, the Board approved $170,000 for Community Impact Initiatives. According to Betty Karkut, these initiatives are multi-year projects, identified to change community conditions. “These initiatives involve a partnership between United Way and other leading community organizations,” she said. “Last fiscal year, the initiatives included Norwalk Kids Start Smart, Wilton Commons - an affordable assisted living housing project, - and Wilton’s Healthy Youth Development Collaborative.”

For fiscal year 2005-06, $63,000 is being allotted for Norwalk Kids Start Smart, an initiative focused on engaging and supporting Norwalk parents in helping to prepare their children for school. This is the second year of funding for the project and the fourth year of United Way’s involvement in it. According to Betsy Bain, Co-Chair of the Initiative, “Working together with United Way is helping to make important strides in creating an environment in Norwalk that gives all children the strong start that they need for future success.”

That leaves a balance of $107,000 for other Community Impact Initiatives, which will be determined by the Board later this fall.

The Special Focus Grants involve three funding projects. One for $120,000, awarded to United Way of Norwalk & Wilton by United Way of Tri-State’s 21st Century Initiative, will support the Norwalk Healthy Families Collaborative. This project provides maternal/child health-care related services to families primarily in South Norwalk. This is the fifth year that the United Way has been able to invest in this project.

The second for $25,500 will fund Infoline/2-1-1 and the third for $2,500 will support www.volunteersolutions.org.

Donor Restricted Gifts total $350,000. These monies will be distributed to various agencies and programs in adherence to the wishes of the donors.

“The United Way is investing in top-priority projects,” said Karkut. “They identify a real need in our community. They are people-centered and results-driven. We want our dollars to make a real difference in the lives of individuals.”

She added. “On behalf of our United Way Board, I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all the members of our community who have entrusted us with their resources. We are proud to be working together to invest wisely and make a difference.”

A list of the 40 agencies that will receive grants for Basic and Prevention Services is below. For more details, call David R. Kennedy, United Way, 847-4576.

Basic and Prevention Services – Distribution List

Health Services

• CLASP Homes
• Community House
• CT Counseling Centers
• Keystone House
• LMG Programs, Inc.
• Positive Directions
• STAR, Inc.

Youth Services

• Choices for Success
• Communities in Schools – Norwalk
• Girl Scouts
• Horizons Student Enrichment
• Kids In Crisis/Youth Shelter
• NEON Child Development Center
• Norwalk Youth Symphony
• Norwalk Housing Authority
• Teen Center of Wilton

Family Services

• CT Legal Services
• Domestic Violence Crisis Center
• Literacy Volunteers
• NEON Community Service Office
• Sexual Assault Crisis Center
• South Norwalk Community Center

Elderly Services

• Elderhouse
• FISH of Norwalk
• Lifeline
• Norwalk Senior Center (NSC)
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Basic Needs and Services

• Food Bank – Lower Fairfield County
• Norwalk Emergency Shelter
• STRIVE/Norwalk Employment Services

Multi-Service Agencies

• American Red Cross
• Carver Foundation
• Catholic Family Services
• Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield
• Family & Children’s Agency
• Nursing & Home Care
• YMCA – Norwalk
• YMCA – Wilton

Community Services and Planning

• Human Services Council
• Voluntary Action Center