| Last updated on April 7, 2008 |
The United Way of West Central Connecticut's vision statement is: Focusing on the lives we change, the communities we shape - because that's what matters.
The United Way of West Central Connecticut's mission statement is: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.
Description:
The United Way of West Central Connecticut serves the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth through a diverse network of local services. We support programs that provide early childcare and education, positive youth development, mentoring, home health care, literacy tutoring, counseling, and services to meet the basic needs of those less fortunate.
United Way also serves as a valuable partner in addressing priority human care issues at a community level. Through a collaborative community partnership United Way provides annually matching funds to support the “Discovery” initiative - narrowing the preparation gap by helping all children get ready for kindergarten. United Way’s “Kids in the Middle” initiative is connecting middle school students to their community through service learning activities. Recently, United Way completed a “Senior Needs Assessment” and is targeting a priority issue – accessing services for homebound seniors.
Whether focusing on youth, seniors or those less fortunate, United Way is committed to
bringing collaborative partnerships and resources together in helping to strengthen and support families at both the individual and community level.
Caring about our community neighbors – from our littlest ones to our oldest citizens – takes
all of us! We appreciate our communities' generosity and partnership in the work we do together.
That’s what matters!
History:
The concept of one organization to support a variety of volunteer service organizations was the dream of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce in 1922. To realize this dream, J.T. Chidsey, the President of the Chamber invited sixteen representatives of six organizations to consider the feasibility of adopting a community chest plan. The following civic leaders were the key players in this initial organizational meeting held on Monday, March 20, 1922:
Mrs. T. G. Treadway, President, Mrs. Morton Treadway, and C. S. Joy from the Visiting Nurse Association; Samuel Large, President, and Dwight J. Morey from the Health Protective League; R. K. Linsley, President, and L.W. Green from the Boy Scouts; Edson M. Peck, President, William K. Sessions, and Mrs. Edson M. Peck from the Boys Club; Fuller Barnes, President, C.T. Treadway, and W. P. Calder from Bristol Hospital and S. Russell Mink, President, and George S. Beach from the American Red Cross.
The respective agency board of directors unanimously approved the plan and the first Bristol Community Chest was incorporated on May 12, 1922 with five original member agencies: The Bristol Boys Club, Bristol Council of Boy Scouts, American Red Cross, Bristol Visiting Nurse Association,and the Bristol Hospital. The original officers were President Morton C. Treadway, Vice-Presidents, William J. Malone and W. K. Sessions,Secretary Mrs. J. R. Holley and Treasurer Fuller F. Barnes. Mr. Treadway served as president for fourteen years retiring from this key post in 1936.
The first campaign, under the chairmanship of Harold Reid, was held the week of June 18, 1922 with 27 subscribers raising a total of $20,800. Between 1922 and 1950 the Bristol Community Chest grew steadily and successfully. Additional agencies were added: Bristol Family Services,Bristol Girls Club, and Salvation Army and the goal increased on a yearly basis, which necessitated the aid of hundreds of volunteer canvassers. Because of this expansion, in 1950 President Matthew Wagner suggested securing a full-time trained Executive Director to begin work as soon as possible. On June 1, 1950 Dwight B. Hoffman of Passaic, New Jersey was hired as the first Executive Director at the annual salary of $6,000.00.
In 1956 President, Wallace Barnes had the foresight to suggest that the concept of a United Fund Drive be explored. With this seed in place, the idea grew and under the direction of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, a committee of local citizens was appointed to study public solicitations in August, 1958.
The committee was composed of: Paul. L. Moran, Chairman, Carlyle F. Barnes, George T. Calder, Robert F. Cooper, Jr., Edward I. Friedman, K. David Graham, Jr., C. Harvey Gustafson, Dr. Martin I. Hall, Ralph Linsley, Carl A. Magnuson, and Roland L. Sepa. After three months of study, this committee advised the formation of a local United Fund. In the words of Chairman Moran to "hopefully eliminate duplicate campaigns."
In May of 1959, the Bristol Community Chest became the United Fund of Bristol. The first United Fund campaign in 1960 raised over a quarter of a million dollars - obviously an outstanding success.
In 1971, the United Fund became known as the United Way (a change made nationally for consistency). In the late 1970's and early 1980's, the United Way of Bristol expanded geographically incorporating the towns of Plymouth and Burlington to become the United Way of Bristol, Burlington and Plymouth.
In 1993, Sidney L. Shafran, President of the United Way of Bristol, Burlington and Plymouth and Janis L. Neri, President of the United Way of Plainville, signed a partnership contract as a first step in bringing these neighboring organizations together. In 1996, these two organizations merged to become the United Way of West Central Connecticut, Inc. John S. Driscoll and Christine Sullivan served as Co-Chairman of the new board. John E. Smith in 1997, Bruce Wazorko, Jr. in 1999, Michael S. Rivers in 2001, Kathi Sorey in 2003, and Sue Laberge in 2006 have since followed them.
Today, the United Way of West Central Connecticut serves the over 100,000 people who live and work in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville & Plymouth. Through the efforts of literally hundreds of volunteers, thousands of donors and our partnership with 28 health and human service agencies and other community partners, the United Way is committed to focusing on what matters in our communities. That is our mission: "To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities."
Contact person: Colleen Younghans, Operations/Communications Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 860-582-6561
Address:
Web Site: http://www.uwwestcentralct.org
Directions:
 |
FROM I-84: East (From Waterbury)
Get off I-84 at exit 31. At end of exit go north (left) onto Route 229. Follow 229 for about 4 miles (you will see Aldi-Grocery Store on your left). At that light, turn left onto Mountain Road. Go through two traffic lights. At second light turn right onto Main Street. The United Way is in the first building on your right (Ten Main Street, First Floor).
FROM ROUTE 8:
Get off Route 8 at exit 39. At end of exit take Route 6 East. In Terryville you will bear right to Route 72 East. Stay on route 72 East through five traffic lights. At the fifth light turn right onto Main Street. The United Way is in the first building on the left hand side (Ten Main Street, First Floor).
FROM HARTFORD:
I-84 west to Route 72 west. When expressway ends, continue to follow route 72 west through Bristol (watch signs). Turn left onto Main Street. United Way is in the first building on the left.
FROM I-91 NORTH OR SOUTH:
I-91 north or south to Route 9 north to Route 72 west. When expressway ends, continue to follow Route 72 west through Bristol (watch signs). Turn left onto Main Street. United Way is in the first building on the left.
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