Equity Fund

EQUITY FUND GRANTS

AUGUST, 2022: The United for Equity Volunteer Review Team, a group consisting of United Way of Greater Waterbury staff members and 10 volunteers from the community, has made its funding recommendations after reviewing 19 applications over a two-day period, considering how each applying agency could create positive change in our region through our work in the three impact areas of Basic Needs, Education, and Financial Stability.

Through the Equity Fund, United Way intends to maximize its impact by working to support and engage with more organizations that serve marginalized populations - including organizations that are led by people of color and serve people of color - to ensure equitable solutions are provided to as many people as possible.

The Equity Volunteer Review Team has awarded a total of $100,000 to six agencies.

Wealth Generation Legacy received $20,000, to provide financial literacy training around topics such as debt, budgeting, savings, investing, and more to 50 high school students.

Rivera Memorial Foundation will use $20,000 so that 75 (K-8 grade) Waterbury students can participate in afterschool programming aimed at increasing access to STEM knowledge/activities and social emotional support.

Waterbury Youth Services received $23,000; 10 high school students will participate in after school discussion group aimed at understanding American history using an antiracist lens.

St Vincent DePaul Mission will provide 30 homeless or previously homeless individuals access to a culinary job training program aimed at obtaining full time employment in hospitality field, using its $15,000 award.

Hangtime will use $12,000 to fund 55 to 80 Waterbury High School youth in afterschool/mentorship programming with a focus on minority athletes.

Grace Baptist Church received $10,000 to deliver 6,000 meals to elderly residents age 60 years and older.

The Equity Fund is a special initiative, funded in part through the generosity of Ion Bank, separate from the United Way annual campaign.  Our review team was challenged to find the best and highest use of these dollars, using the general guidelines that United Way of Greater Waterbury have established, based on best practices of DEI— Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The goal is to include people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skills and expertise to improve the many facets of life in the Greater Waterbury area.