Volunteer Spotlight
Clivel Charlton, Division Head of Children & Youth Services Librarians at Silas Bronson Library
As chair of the Education Council, I enjoy playing a part in helping parents and their children. That’s why I choose to volunteer with United Way of Greater Waterbury through this specific impact area.
The council allocates funds along the United Way’s two education strategies: providing ways for children aged 0 to 5 to prepare for school, leveraging programs such as Reach Out and Read, which helps parents increase their children’s vocabulary. The second strategy ensures that students have the tools to prepare for life after graduation, through such work as after school programs and campership.
Our council’s efforts aren’t just about the kids. We’re providing support for parents as well, people who are struggling with basic needs and could use some help. For example, United Way can be there when parents can’t cover the cost of camp but need to know their kids are in a safe and educational environment during the summer.
I know what we’re doing is producing results because I can see the difference when I’m at the library. Since the Afro Caribbean Cultural Center is across the street, the campers come to the library and enjoy Library Park. It’s great to see them enjoying themselves, with a chance to read and learn thanks to access to our collection. That’s always a good thing.
I started with the council after United Way reached out to me, asking if I would consider joining. Almost a decade later, I am still on the council! It’s a good fit with my career at the library. In addition to helping me develop new leadership skills, I’ve learned a lot about event planning and even problem solving. Our budget work as a council has also given me new ideas for managing the budget at work.
I find that volunteering has sharpened my leadership skills. And the need to increase my communications with others on the council or who work with us has prompted me to break out of my shell. I’ve made some good friends thanks to volunteering, and I appreciate another way to network with colleagues. They’re wonderful people, great folks to hang out with.
I also love the synergy that I see between our council and the partner agencies. It’s good to be part of a network that bridges gaps to help kids by increasing their opportunities. I think equity is vital if we are going to succeed as a community.
On a personal level, I feel satisfied knowing I can make a positive difference in a child’s life.
I wear many hats, but I’ve found that there is overlap and the work I do wearing one hat means I can do a better job when I’m wearing another hat. At Silas Bronson, I am a guide for my staff, trying to lead them in a positive direction so they can be their best selves for our library patrons, especially the children. As council chair, I steer the members toward what I think will be the most effective way in which we can serve our community. I can be a better chair, showing the council how we can decipher reports to understand what partner agencies are doing. And, thanks to volunteering, I can demonstrate professionalism to my staff.
This is a two-way street. My staff is there for me when I have an early morning meeting or need time to help United Way; council work can be time-consuming.
I consider my role as chair to be a great responsibility and try to be an advocate for the disenfranchised. Volunteering under the United Way umbrella means the community can get more out of what I can give. United Way plays a pivotal role in Greater Waterbury, making such a difference in the lives of individuals and our partner agencies, especially in difficult times.
During the pandemic or a few months ago, when the water main broke, United Way could pivot and respond in real time, providing support. Folks got bottled water or, in the August flood a couple of years ago, gift cards to buy essentials. United Way is extremely important.
My council is committed to seeing United Way prosper and be effective in helping Greater Waterbury, especially for the children. I hope what I do provides value because I get a lot out of it.