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Healthy and Connected Communities
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Providing opportunities for citizens of all ages to be healthy, active, caring members of our community
   
United Way’s focus on community wellness includes not only the physical and mental health of the citizens of our region but also our connection to one another.
United Way invests in programs that provide some of our most vulnerable citizens with the support they need to achieve or maintain good health. People living with HIV/AIDS receive nutritional meals, seniors retain their independence through home health care services, and United Way 211 provides 24 hour, year ‘round access to community resources. In addition, several investments ensure that individuals recovering from mental illness and addiction receive case management and support services to help them maintain stable living arrangements for themselves and their families.
United Way also seeks to help people connect to others through volunteering and by getting involved in the civic life of their community. United Way sponsors Days of Caring, an annual week long event that matches thousands of volunteers from throughout the region to local programs and people who need their help. We also promote community dialogue on important issues, like early care and education or economic opportunities in the region, and provide financial support to organizations that are working to engage residents in the life of the community, such as block watch efforts in New Haven, community gardens that promote green space and connect neighbors, and community organizing training for New Haven youth.
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| Strategy for Change: Health |
Goals
- Increase the number of children and adults who have access to health insurance and affordable prescription coverage.
- Increase utilization of preventive health care.
- Increase the number of older adults who are healthy and independent.
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Desired Interim Results
- Individuals understand program eligibility requirements and receive support to enroll in health care services.
- Reduced barriers to care so people can access the full range of health care services, including physical, dental, and mental health care.
- People are informed about their health status and have tools to take responsibility for modifying behavior to reflect healthy lifestyle choices for themselves and their families.
- Isolated older adults can access services and have opportunities to connect socially.
- Regional and state policymakers take action to remove barriers to health care coverage.
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Strategies
- Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, Inc. Training for senior volunteers to assist other seniors in using a web-based tool to access state and federal entitlement programs.
- Aging At Home, Inc. Case management and outreach services to older adults to keep them engaged and healthy at home.
- AIDS Project New Haven
- ALSO-Cornerstone, Inc. Supportive housing, case management, and parent education for low-income, homeless families with mental illness, substance abuse and in partnership with Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis.
- Fair Haven Community Health Center Diabetes prevention and treatment program with a special focus on Spanish speakers.
- Fellowship, Inc. Coordinator/case-manager to screen and protect health status of 200 people with mental illness.
- Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services Services for new refugees to help them navigate the health system and educate them on health practices.
- Leeway, Inc. Psychiatric services for HIV/AIDS patients 55+ to address issues of mental illness and substance abuse
- New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc (LAA) Health advocacy for under privileged individuals who were denied benefits and policy education.
- VNA Community Healthcare One on one personal wellness appraisal and referral process.
- VNA of South Central Connecticut, Inc. Home-based health services to uninsured and underinsured individuals.
- The West Haven Community House Association, Inc. Case management services to pregnant or parenting teens including life skills education, help accessing health care, staying in school, parenting skills, family relationships.
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| Strategy for Change: Civic Engagement |
Goal
- Increase civic participation, access and empowerment across the life spectrum for people in the region, especially those who face barriers to engagement.
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Desired Interim Results
- Create safe spaces for dialogue and deliberations across diverse groups.
- Support inclusive civic engagement efforts.
- Establish and maintain meaningful and ongoing connections for individuals and families to civic engagement activities.
- Increase the capacity of individuals and families to participate in existing institutions.
- Support the development of outreach activities to increase civic engagement.
- Especially increase awareness of and access to cross-cultural civic engagement activities among special populations (e.g., individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, low income, non-English speakers, people who have been incarcerated, non-citizens, people who are homeless, etc.).
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Strategies
- Community Mediation, Inc. Support to develop and staff a network of regional organizations interested in working together to promote civic engagement and dialogue
- Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven Supports civic engagement efforts including voting, Block Watch and Neighborhood Management Team involvement for homeowners and other neighborhood residents in Blake St/Ella Grasso Blvd neighborhood.
- New Haven Urban Resources Initiative Support for Community Gardens effort to increase both green space and civic engagement in low income neighborhoods
- The Town of Orange Supports leadership program for 12 - 15 Orange residents age 55 or older.
- Youth Rights Media Subsidizes training and internships for youth in online journalism and community organizing.
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