Greater New Haven fundraising program focuses on helping people stay out of crisis

Editor’s note: Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine is an emergency winter fundraising program instituted by United Way of Greater New Haven and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven to raise awareness and funds to address critical housing and hunger needs in the region. This is one in a series of articles outlining those needs. To get involved, visit www.n2nlifeline.org

For Sydney Perry, Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine is a special expression of the spirit of Passover, which encourages the faithful to help those who are vulnerable or hungry.

“Despite the fact that the Dow Jones average has accelerated, a lot of people are still putting together their lives, including our neighbors who are just down the block from us,” said Perry, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. “I think we need to measure our success in the number of lives that we have touched.”

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Lifeline (N2N Lifeline) is an emergency winter fundraising program started in 2008-2009 by United Way of Greater New Haven and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. It distributes grant money directly to groups helping residents with food, housing and other emergency needs.

This year, 53 area nonprofits, faith groups and municipalities requested more than $1 million, and $555,000 was distributed. All of the donations went directly to social service organizations that help people pull out of crisis. As a result of N2N Lifeline 2011, there will be over 146,000 additional meals served; almost 500 households will receive emergency housing assistance; and over 50 households will get help with utility payments.

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