The Problem

Currently seniors 65 and over represent about 13% of Wilton’s population. Wilton lacks affordable housing for those seniors who can no longer live totally independent.

The Solution

In 2003, a group of concerned Wilton residents recognized the need for more affordable housing options for seniors and began working to secure a location and create a community that would meet the needs of the growing senior population in the Wilton area. Now Wilton Commons is being built to fill the gap, providing qualified residents with a facility that has both congregate living at reasonable rents and access to the kinds of daily living services that will allow them to remain independent.

THE RESULT

• Early support from United Way resulted in development and approval of plans to build a minimum of 50 “congregate living” rental units on public property conveniently located near Wilton Center.
• Prior to obtaining 501 (c) (3) status, individuals were able to contribute to Wilton Commons through United Way helping to keep the project moving forward.
• In late spring 2007 Wilton Commons plans to open its doors, offering seniors the flexibility they need in a retirement community.
• United Way and its contributors have invested over $100,000 in the project so far.

Helping Children Succeed in Norwalk

The Problem

Too many children entering school in Norwalk lack the language development and social skills necessary for school readiness and success. By 4th grade, almost 40% of Norwalk children are not reading at grade level.

The Solution

In 2003, United Way became a strategic partner of Kids Start Smart working together with others in the community to develop solutions that will help Norwalk’s young children enter school ready to learn. In particular, we identified the need to reach parents of young children and hired a parent coordinator to focus on parent outreach.

THE RESULT

• Over 500 parents have received information provided by the national bornlearning campaign and the bornlearning website (www.bornlearning.org) and distributed at local events.
• 30 Parents completed a 20 week parent training program (P.L.T.I.). Pro-active parents formed an Advisory group to help parents in their neighborhoods.
• Aida Frese, our parent coordinator, has been leveraging community resources to reach out to parents of young children.

Promoting Healthy Youth Development in Wilton

The Problem

Young adults in Wilton are experiencing higher than average problems with eating disorders, substance abuse, and self esteem. A substantial cause for concern is the trend for the onset of these problems at increasingly earlier ages.

The Solution

Working together Wilton Youth Council, Wilton Youth Services, Middlebrook School, Trackside Teen Center and Positive Directions are providing students and their families with information and training so they are better able to understand issues affecting adolescents, build skills that help parents and young adults talk to each other, and increase awareness of community resources and how to access them

THE RESULT

• There is evidence of a shift in parent awareness of these issues. Programs like Creating Lasting Family Connections and the Father’s Forum series have opened dialogue and begun to change attitudes and behavior relating to risky behaviors.
• Results from the PeerVention program at the high school level have led to plans to implement a middle school program, PeerConnections, to increase the capacity of students to help their troubled peers.
• Creation of a Healthy Alternative Directory to aid teens in choosing positive social options so they won’t be involved in consumption of alcohol.

Building Strong Neighborhoods and Communities

The Problem

Knowing where to go to find resources to address substance abuse concerns, utility assistance, government income programs, legal services, food and housing, or any type of health and human services issue can be difficult particularly in a crisis situation.

The Solution

In 2001 the Norwalk Healthy Families Collaborative United Way 2-1-1, Connecticut’s comprehensive information, referral, and crisis intervention service that is accessible toll-free from anywhere in the state. The multilingual helpline is toll free and operates 24 hours a day 365 days a year. United Way 2-1-1 was established in 1976 because of a unique partnership between the State of Connecticut and Connecticut United Ways.

THE RESULT

• 441,524 service requests (statewide) were placed with 2-1-1 (8,767 were Norwalk & Wilton) for the period July 2004-June 2005.
• 703,914 visits (statewide) were made to the website during this same period.
• When Hurricane Katrina hit, United Way 2-1-1 handled overflow calls and 12 call specialists volunteered for 6 weeks to help staff a 2-1-1 center in Monroe, LA.

Encouraging Health and Wellness in Norwalk

The Problem

Many Norwalk children face critical problems associated with poverty: low birth weights, compromised access to heath care, teen pregnancy, poor reading skills, and abuse or neglect.

The Solution

In 2001 the Norwalk Healthy Families Collaborative set out to address these issues thanks to a $600,00 United Way of Tri-State 21st Century Challenge Grant. The focus of the project partners: provide a continuum of care for Norwalk’s pregnant women and teens and for parents and children ages birth to five to ensure child health and well being – with special emphasis on the South Norwalk Community.

THE RESULT

• 96% of the 224 babies born to mothers participating in Comenzando Bien and the MOMS Project were at our above healthy birth weight.
• 83% of NCHC pediatric patients who were helped to keep well child appointments kept all visits on-time.
  • Teen births in Norwalk dropped from 7.7% of births in 1999 to 3.1% in 2004.
• 5,714 new books and "prescriptions" to read aloud daily were given to children ages 6 months to 5 years and their parents, to promote parent/child bonding and early literacy.

Supporting Basic & Prevention Services

The Problem

Health and social services are available but often the people who need them most cannot take advantage of the services offered because they have limited financial resources.

The Solution

Each year, we review the needs of over 40 organizations in our community that provide the “safety net” programs and support services so important to so many residents. United Way funds are used to offset the cost of services so individuals and families can get the help they need – help with food, shelter, family crisis and elder care.

THE RESULT

• Elderhouse & Nursing and Home Care is able to provide scholarship/subsidies to low income clients providing care for frail older adults and much needed respite care services to family caregivers.
• Connecticut Legal Services Inc. is able to provide legal services to enable low-income individuals to address their critical legal needs and ultimately protect their fundamental legal rights.
• Critically needed crisis intervention and emergency shelter services for children and youth are provided at no cost to the client by Kids in Crisis thanks to our support.