United Way of Greater Waterbury Intern Describes Valuable Work Experience
Chris White is United Way of Greater Waterbury's 2025 intern, sponsored by the American Savings Foundation.
United Way of Greater Waterbury’s 2025 intern, Chris White, exemplifies the best of Greater Waterbury, demonstrating how the nonprofit organization and its partner agencies rally around our children. Jered Bruzas, chief impact officer with United Way, said, “Chris’ story touches so many aspects of our community, and we’re gratified to see how he’s giving back to his community as he gains valuable professional experience.”
Outlining the road that led him to the internship sponsored by the American Savings Foundation, Chris said, “My family moved around a lot within Waterbury, so I attended a few different schools. I started at Kingsbury before I attended Chase, Generali, and Wallace. When we moved again, I went to Carrington before I attended high school at the Career Academy. And I worked at the Berkley Heights program formerly associated with the Waterbury YMCA, which is one of United Way’s partner agencies.”
As a young teen, he gave serious consideration to his future, not only applying for the ASF intern scholarship but also deciding to study computer science at the college level, aiming to become the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Chris consulted his high school guidance counselor to identify college scholarship opportunities, which led him to Waterbury Promise, a nonprofit founded in 2021 that offers “last-dollar” scholarships — funds that are applied after all other financial aid has been awarded — and supports students with academic, financial, social-emotional, and career readiness resources to ensure their success in college and beyond.
Luisa Florez, college success coach with Waterbury Promise, has been a great help to Chris. He said, “When I transferred from Eastern to UConn, she outlined the steps I needed to take, and the process was so smooth.” Waterbury Promise is available to all Waterbury students who achieve minimum GPA and attendance goals and enroll in a Connecticut college.
Hedy Ayers, director of development and community engagement at Waterbury Promise, was delighted to learn that one of her scholars was interning at United Way, which helps fund some of Waterbury Promise’s wrap-around services for students to ensure they can get to class, have the books to study, food to eat, and more.
“We work closely with Waterbury Public Schools, Holy Cross High School and W.F. Kaynor Technical High School because we want students to be aware of the range of supports that come with being a Waterbury Promise Scholar and to keep them on-track to Promise through high school graduation,” she said.
In addition to funding for higher education, Waterbury Promise also focuses on college access and readiness by facilitating student tours of potential colleges and completion of their FAFSA® forms, as well as professional development opportunities through career fairs, job shadow days, internships, and job placements. United Way is a strategic partner that can help with expenses beyond tuition, including books and food. Schools like UConn, Eastern Connecticut State University, Post University, and more provide support in many forms, such as matching tuition dollars. The growing program has been serving 600 scholars and will welcome another 300 scholars as part of its fourth, and largest cohort, later this summer.
The community realizes a return on investment: students who graduate from Waterbury schools are well educated and likely to return to their hometown to fill the diverse talent pipeline that businesses need. “Like Chris, I’m the first in my family to attend college,” said Hedy. “That gave me an incredible experience and led to opportunities. So, I’m a great believer in the power of education to change lives.” She admits to joining her Waterbury Promise coworkers to cheer students at graduation ceremonies. “I’m proud of every step they’ve taken and want to see Waterbury succeed. There is something unique and special about this city that makes you want to roll up your sleeves and do good for the people who live and work here.”
Mulling the work he’s done for United Way, Chris recalled, “I’ve been able to provide support for United Way’s Food Resource Committee, which links local food pantries to each other and additional resources. I’ve also taken input from the Community Impact department to assemble the CI allocations report and coordinated a two-day train-the-trainer financial literacy workshop organized with UConn so that frontline providers understand our local systems and services.”
Chris has been able to support campers who participate in the Waterbury Campership Fund. “For years, United Way has offered pro bono administration for the campership program. I’m having a good time working with the kids to craft T-shirt tote bags that are donated to local food banks to save them the cost of grocery bags. I was able to bring the UPSTARTERS® Project to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury, a United Way partner agency, when I was a club member as a little boy. Everyone benefits as the campers also learn about philanthropy and how basic needs, or lack of them, are impacting their neighbors and friends.”
“I’m immensely happy,” Jered said of Chris’ work. “He’s been able to accomplish work that I and the rest of our department simply don’t have time to tackle.” When he arrived at the United Way office, Chris didn’t know what to expect. “I had researched the three impact areas that define United Way’s work, but I didn’t grasp what they really do until I got involved. United Way really is connected to just about everyone in Greater Waterbury.
“I’ve also enjoyed coming here. I’m grateful for the jobs I’ve had before now, but this is the one job where I can say I really enjoy the work,” Chris said. “And what I’ve learned from my exposure to a professional work environment is really going to help me in the future.”
Hedy and Jered agreed there are many transferable skills that can be gained from a United Way internship. Jered added, “Everyone needs a Chris in the future.”
“Jered could have gone alone to some events, but he invited me to join him,” Chris remembered. “I was able to meet dignitaries like State Representative Jahana Hayes, both the current and former mayor of Waterbury, and my high school science teacher. When I told her what I was doing as an intern, she got this really warm expression on her face and said, ‘I’m really proud of you.’”
Jered explained, “As much as Chris gets something out of these contacts, they are finding the interaction valuable as they learn what it’s like to be a 19-year-old man in Waterbury. By learning his story, maybe offering advice, they are able to understand the barriers that face many students. For example, they may struggle to afford Internet access to do their homework. They may be hungry as the household income doesn’t stretch far enough. They may need to help take care of their grandparents.
“The work that Hedy and everyone at Waterbury Promise are doing ensures kids are engaged in their academics so they can flourish. That’s where United Way comes in, providing solutions like emergency groceries or a bus pass so they can get to class to address basic needs.”
Hedy described Waterbury Promise as more than a scholarship program. “We’re different because we’re with students for all four years and provide resources to help them every step of the way. As for United Way, the team exudes professionalism and obviously cares deeply about what they’re doing. You can see how strongly they believe in the work and outcomes. I’m proud to partner with them.”
Chris is planning to facilitate a program as a United Way volunteer after his internship hours end and Hedy anticipates, “He’s also looking forward to staying engaged with Waterbury Promise to help him navigate his first year at UConn. No matter what school he attends, he’ll continue to make us Promise Proud!”