United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
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Financial Stability for Families

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What if, no matter how hard you worked, you still couldn’t afford enough groceries to last the week, or keep up with your bills? Almost 80% of households in Connecticut that can’t make ends meet have at least one adult working. In our knowledge-based economy, lower-skilled workers are struggling to support their families. Nearly 20% of Connecticut households lack enough money to cover basic living expenses.

What we’re doing: United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is focused on helping families become more financially stable. Contributions to United Way Community Investment support programs and initiatives that help people acquire skills they need to land jobs and advance in their careers; maximize income and increase earnings; and gain savings and assets.

Recent results:

• Out of more than 900 people participating in literacy programs supported by United Way Community Investment, almost 800 demonstrated an improved ability to read English—a vital skill in gaining a job and advancing.

• Through workforce development programs, 1,047 out of 1,828 people secured employment.

• As a result of outreach efforts and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, there was an 85% increase in federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) returns to eligible taxpayers in New Britain and Hartford. The average taxpayer at Hartford VITA sites had an adjusted gross income of $13,998 and received an EITC return of $1,485; the average taxpayer at New Britain VITA sites had an adjusted gross income of $15,849 and received $1,037. All told, taxpayers in New Britain and Hartford received more than $3 million—money they can use to save, pay bills, and invest in their communities.

• More than 300 working families were assisted in purchasing their own home – with standard mortgages, not subprime – through matched savings plans, homeownership education, and other supports.

• More than 1,200 affordable rental units in Hartford were developed with United Way support, allowing lower-income working families to provide a stable home and not be forced to choose between paying rent and buying food.

YOUR MONEY GOES FURTHER!

The United Way Community Campaign had fundraising and related expenses of just 12% in fiscal year 2007, compared with the Better Business Bureau’s acceptable standard of up to 33%.

Caring Club

Increase Your Gift and Get GREAT DISCOUNTS! Increase your contribution to Community Investment by just 1$ a week or more, and you'll be eligible for membership in the Caring Club-- giving you special discounts at local and national retailers. Click to learn more!

QUESTIONS?

Contact your company coordinator, or call the United Way Community Campaign Hotline at 860-493-6895.

Building a Stronger Financial Future

homebuyer education HELPS TO make one man's dream a reality

While Hugh Russell’s dream has always been to own his own restaurant, his first priority was to own his own home. A Community Investment supported program helped him do both. Russell was at Hartford’s City Hall about seven years ago when he saw a brochure for a Community Investment supported homeownership program. He was drawn to the program, he says, by the fact that it provided thorough information about the entire process of becoming—and being—a homeowner.

“I wanted to know as much as I could--everything,” he said, to ensure that he was making smart decisions. “I wanted to buy a multi-family home so that I could have rental income, an investment….I chose this program because the ad I saw stressed preparation [for homeownership]. I was looking for knowledge, education so that I would know what I was getting into. The program covered everything, how to deal with tenants, how to take care of your credit. These things really helped me.”

Russell successfully completed the program and bought his first home that same year: a multi-family in the south end of Hartford. “I did a lot of work and maintenance on the house myself,” he noted. He learned as he went along, attending free “how to” workshops as often as he could.

About five years later, in 2005, Russell decided to leave his service director position at the Wadsworth Athenaeum restaurant and search for something new. He opened a catering business while he worked toward the goal of owning his own restaurant.

The opportunity presented itself when a catering client told him about an available property in downtown Hartford. Russell decided to go for it. In order to secure startup money, he sold his house. “I had taken good care of the house, so I built up equity,” said Russell. “I was able to make a profit by selling it and use that money to finance the opening of my restaurant.” All his “handyman” experience from the house also proved helpful as he prepared to open his business: To save money, he did much of the painting and other interior work himself. His hard work and perseverance paid off on July 10, 2005, when he opened The Russell restaurant on the corner of Pratt and Trumbull Streets in downtown Hartford—right across the street from the XL Center.

Last year, homebuyer education programs and matched savings accounts supported by Community Investment–such as the program at HART (Hartford Areas Rally Together), described above--helped 323 lower-income families purchase a home. And for those who aren’t ready to take the plunge into homeownership, Community Investment supported programs provide the chance to gain job skills or to secure employment. Programs like these are helping working people in central and northeastern Connecticut to fulfill their dreams by building a strong, stable financial future for themselves and their families.

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