Especially in the current economy, many people have come to rely on the services and assistance provided by local non-profits agencies, which offer educational initiatives, job training and housing programs, and access to health services. United Way offers both funding and support to over 150 local non-profit partners — in New Haven and in many towns in the region.
In a message to the campus community, President Richard C. Levin said: “The University remains highly invested in the well-being of our neighbors in New Haven and the surrounding communities. Last year, we at Yale enthusiastically supported the Yale-United Way Campaign by raising a record-breaking total of $1.15 million. This year, we aspire to do the same, if not better.”
All members of the community are invited to make their contributions at the Yale-United Way campaign website.
For a third year, the University’s “Give Every Child a Chance” campaign continues to focus on early child development and improving the educational environment. Below are examples of work supported by the campaign:
- Ten public schools in New Haven now have additional tutoring, afterschool, and therapeutic activities, funded by the BOOST! Program. Part of the New Haven School Change Initiative, the program aims to help students stay focused and engaged at school — while also lowering truancy and disciplinary rates. More than 2,300 students at these schools now have access to these new “wrap-around” services and are benefiting from the programs.
- Now six years old, the Success by 6 initiative supports 19 non-profit partners, including All Our Kin and New Haven Early Childhood Council, which work to improve early care and education.
- A new Early Head Start program provides high-quality, full-year care for 41 infants and toddlers in New Haven alone.
- To provide extra support in learning skills and activities, the School Age Youth Fund supports 18 local non-profit programs, including New Haven Reads, LEAP, and New Haven Boys and Girls Club.
- The Summer Food Truck served more than 17,000 nutritional meals last summer, during a time of the year when children don’t have access to the school lunch program.
Provost Peter Salovey and Yale School of Medicine Dean Dr. Robert Alpern are this year’s campaign chairs. All staff and faculty can donate at Yale-United Way campaign website., with options to automatically renew or pay by monthly contributions.