United Way of the Capital Area is addressing the most important health and human services problems in our community with many local partners. Click the links below to learn more about United Way's current partnerships.

Children succeeding in school

Increasing the bottom line!

Safe and affordable housing for families!

Saving for the future!

Stable jobs for young adults: Hope for the Future!

Strengthening families and the neighborhoods they live in (Annie E. Casey Foundation)

What Matters: Safe and affordable housing for families!

Mobilizing the caring power of the community…

United Way of the Capital Area, through Community Care, together with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and other local partners, created the Hartford Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative in 1995. An economic downturn and loss of jobs in Hartford has led to a reduction in the available housing stock. Families often cannot find appropriate, safe housing, at any price, let alone one with affordable rent. By working with community development corporations (CDCs), the Collaborative has increased the number of safe and affordable housing units by more than 1000 over the past nine years.

… to create sustained community changes …

The CDCs, supported with operating and technical assistance from United Way and other funding partners of the Collaborative, often take foreclosed and vacant buildings and redevelop them into housing units that can be rented or purchased by Hartford families. Blighted neighborhoods, such as Putnam Heights in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford, are often redeveloped in this way. At Putnam Heights, four historically significant residences known as “Perfect Sixes” were redeveloped and five newly constructed houses were built, resulting in 16 owner-occupied homes and two rental units. Crime has been significantly reduced in this neighborhood, a corollary to the rise in homeownership. Plans are underway to rehabilitate additional homes on adjacent streets, a block-by-block approach to neighborhood redevelopment which has proved successful in many other cities.

… and improve lives.

The Collaborative has produced 1,003 units of housing (rental and owner-occupied) since it was created in 1995. An additional 498 units are under construction for 2004 and 2005. For the families that have moved into these new units, this success translates to affordable rent, a stable home for their children, and a safer, well-cared for neighborhood.

Through United Way’s Community Care and its partners, families in Hartford can find safe and affordable housing. Community Care is the pool of undesignated dollars donated through the United Way Community Campaign.

In addition to the Hartford Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative, United Way’s Community Care supports other local programs that help families obtain safe and affordable housing, such as:

• The Hartford Individual Development Account Collaborative (HIDAC),

• Hartford Areas Rally Together’s CHARGE Program, and

• Urban League of Greater Hartford’s Housing Program.

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What Matters: Children succeeding in school

Mobilizing the caring power of the community…

United Way of the Capital Area, through Community Care, together with Hartford Public Schools, the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and Nebraska-based Girls and Boys Town, is reducing the time spent disciplining students and increasing time teaching social skills that will help students succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

… to create sustained community changes …

United Way’s support made implementation of the Girls and Boys Town Classroom Management education model in Hartford Public Schools possible. Hartford Public Schools, with support from the Hartford Federation of Teachers, instituted new classroom policies and procedures that have dramatically reduced disciplinary action as students learn effective ways of managing their own behavior. Children have fewer acts of verbal and physical aggression and fewer numbers of office referrals. Instead, teaching time is increased as well as students’ achievement levels and teacher and parent satisfaction. Already in its third year, the initiative has gained the respect of teachers, trained additional school staff including school bus drivers and security guards, involved hundreds of parents, and most importantly, helped children learn more in the classroom. The partnership formed by United Way, Hartford Public Schools, Hartford Federation of Teachers and Girls & Boys Town is proving that together, we will help a generation of children succeed.

… and improve lives.

At the Kinsella Elementary School in Hartford, as one of many examples, the rate of students referred to the principal’s office for disruptive and aggressive behavior decreased from an average of 8.5 referrals per day in October 2003 to 0.4 in January 2004. This reduction frees up approximately 3.25 hours of student and administrator time each day. Students are spending more time in the classroom learning, teachers are spending more time teaching, and administrators are spending more time on other student concerns.

Through United Way’s Community Care and its partners, young people in Hartford are better prepared to succeed in life. Community Care is the pool of undesignated dollars donated through the United Way Community Campaign.

In addition to the Classroom Management model, United Way’s Community Care supports other local programs that help children succeed, such as:

• ConnectiKids’ tutoring and summer programs,

• Southend Community Services’ Our Piece of the Pie program, and

• The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford’s after school programs.

To read more about Girls and Boys Town Classroom Management in Hartford Public Schools click here.

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What Matters: Funds for families – Increasing the bottom line!

Mobilizing the caring power of the community…

United Way of the Capital Area, through Community Care, together with Hartford Making Connections (an initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation) and other local partners, has been working to provide low-income Hartford taxpayers with free tax preparation assistance and to help eligible Hartford households claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other available credits such as the Child Tax Credit. The EITC was enacted in 1975 to help make work pay for low-income families. Often when someone in poverty takes a job, their net income actually decreases because their wages don’t make up for the increased taxes and the loss in benefits such as food stamps. The EITC tries to remove this disadvantage to working. Last year, only an estimated 80% of eligible individuals claimed the credit in Hartford. Though it is difficult to assess, that means approximately two to six million dollars went unclaimed by Hartford families; money that could have been spent on rent, food, transportation costs or savings for a house or education.

… to create sustained community changes …

Tax filing assistance is offered in two ways: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, where volunteers prepare returns, and through community based organizations where agency staff prepare returns as part of the overall service delivery to their clients. The local IRS helps train VITA volunteers and provides donated computer equipment and filing support. The Hartford Individual Development Account Collaborative, a United Way Partner Agency, provides financial education workshops, where participants can learn how to open and manage a bank account and repair bad credit, among other topics.

… and improve lives.

This year, over 957 families in the Hartford area secured free tax preparation resulting in refunds of over $2.1 million! The bottom line is that families who are already below or near the poverty level have more money to spend on food for their children, rent, clothing, much needed car repairs or savings for education.

Through United Way’s Community Care and its partners, families in Hartford increase their financial well being. Community Care is the pool of undesignated dollars donated through the United Way Community Campaign.

In addition to the EITC initiative, United Way’s Community Care supports local programs that provide financial education assistance, such as:

• The Hartford Individual Development Account Collaborative (HIDAC),

• Hartford Areas Rally Together’s CHARGE Program, and

• Urban League of Greater Hartford’s Housing Program.

• http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/fes/

• http://www.sedi.org/DataRegV2-unified/sedi-Publications/PRIEnglishAug2004.pdf

Mobilizing the caring power of the community…

United Way of the Capital Area, through Community Care, together with the Hartford Individual Development Account Collaborative and other local partners, has been working to provide Hartford area residents with the tools to save for a college degree, the purchase of a new home, or the funds to start a new business. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) work to help eligible low-income individuals and families to set goals, determine a budget and save for the future. The deposits are matched, usually at a ratio of 2 to 1. In addition, participants are required to attend a 10 week financial education class, which often initiates a long-lasting change in a family’s finances.

… to create sustained community changes …

New, local businesses create jobs and rejuvenate city neighborhoods. Individuals who improve their education open the door to opportunity and job security. Children who live in stable homes have higher rates of academic achievement and a much lower risk of dropping out of school. High rates of homeownership also lead to stronger and safer neighborhoods, where residents take pride in their surroundings and look out for each other. Currently more than 70% of Hartford families rent their homes. The IDA Collaborative is working to change that, and to improve family finances in Hartford.

… and improve lives.

Now in its third year, HIDAC is currently working with more than 120 participants who are actively saving for their new house, business, or degree. To date, seven families have successfully completed the program and moved into their first home, and one individual has been able to start a new business.

Through United Way’s Community Care and its partners, families in Hartford increase their financial well being. Community Care is the pool of undesignated dollars donated through the United Way Community Campaign.

In addition to the Hartford IDA Collaborative, United Way’s Community Care supports local programs that provide financial education assistance, such as:

• The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Initiative,

• Hartford Areas Rally Together’s CHARGE Program, and

• Urban League of Greater Hartford’s Housing Program.

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What Matters: Strengthening families and the neighborhoods they live in

Mobilizing the caring power of the community…

United Way of the Capital Area, through Community Care, is a partner with the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) in the Hartford Making Connections initiative. Making Connections, a national initiative of AECF, is committed to improving the lives of children by strengthening families and their neighborhoods. Hartford is one of 10 cities in the United States that is receiving 10 to 15 years of funding and technical assistance from AECF to support the Making Connections initiative.

… to create sustained community changes …

Recently the Hartford Making Connections initiative published The High Cost of Being Poor in Hartford study, which reveals the challenges faced by Hartford’s poor in getting ahead and saving for the future. The report will be used by local nonprofit organizations and policy makers to reduce poverty in the city. To aid those efforts, Making Connections has helped set up www.HartfordInfo.org, which provides a wealth of data and reports about housing, education, neighborhood initiatives, and employment in the city.

… and improve lives.

To increase families’ income and savings, current efforts underway include the possible development of a locally-managed community credit union, which will provide residents with access to fee-free banking. Hartford Making Connections is also working to increase the number of Hartford residents that receive the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, participate in financial education programs and enroll in Individual Development Accounts (which help individuals save for education or a house). To strengthen social networks and help individuals recognize their strengths, a Time Dollar initiative is also planned. Time Dollar builds community by establishing a network of friends and neighbors who volunteer their time and talents and who, in turn, tap into this network for services they might need.

Through United Way’s Community Care and its partners, neighborhoods and families in Hartford are stronger. Community Care is the pool of undesignated dollars donated through the United Way Community Campaign.

In addition to the Hartford Making Connections initiative, United Way’s Community Care supports other local programs that improve the lives of children and their families and strengthen communities, such as:

• Connecticut Policy and Economic Council’s City Scan program,

• Mi Casa’s cultural programs, and

• Prevent Child Abuse Connecticut’s parental education programs.

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United Way of the Capital Area
30 Laurel Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1374
Phone: (860) 493-6800
Fax: (860) 493-6809