City of Bridgeport Receives Support from Local United Way

United Way of Coastal Fairfield County awarded the City of Bridgeport a grant to support residents impacted by ongoing economic fallout of the Covid-19 crisis. Presentation was made to Deputy Health Director Tammy Papa, Acting Health Director Ebony Jackson, Relocation Coordinator Adrienne Numaworse, and Grants Director Isolina DeJesus.

Representing the local United Way were long-time Bridgeport resident Tom McCarthy, who serves on the non-profit’s Board of Directors, and United Way CEO Jeff Kimball.

The Covid Relief Grant initiative was designed to provide emergency assistance with food, rent, utilities and critical bills to help keep families in stable homes.

Deputy Health Director Tammy Papa commented: “We truly appreciate all the support from the United Way in this difficult time."

Acting Health Director Ebony Jackson commented: “Since the Covid outbreak, we’ve seen a real need for food. In fact, more than 1 out of 4 of Bridgeport residents suffers from food insecurity.” “To help meet this need, the United Way grant will provide grocery store gift cards to residents,” added Adreinne Numaworse.

United Way Board Member Tom McCarthy commented: “Our neighbors need our help, and many of them are seeking help for the first time in their lives. We’re honored to work with the City of Bridgeport to bring help and hope to those who are suffering.”

Even before the pandemic, as many as two out of three residents were struggling to make ends meet. Since then, families have been challenged by rising household expenses and by the loss of income due to reduced work hours or shuttered businesses. In the past year, Bridgeport resident requests for help to United Way’s 2-1-1 Infoline increased by 68%.

CEO Jeff Kimball observed, “We’re committed to helping the city meet the growing need. This is the second round of awards we’ve made to support families impacted by the pandemic.”

This grant of $4,000 follows previous Covid-relief supports provided to the city and to seven community-serving partners: Alpha Community Services, Caroline House, Child First, Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, LifeBridge Community Services, Park City Initiative, and Summerfield Methodist Church Light on the Hill Food Pantry.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County (UWCFC) has provided support to every one of the 12 towns in its service area, offering:

• Grants for basic needs: Approximately $150,000 in grants to support towns and community partners providing for basics like food, rent, and utilities.
• Direct Help to Families: Over $50,000 in electronic gift cards to families in need, distributed by local social service agencies.
• Protective Equipment: Sixty-five thousand protective masks, gloves, and face shields to help neighbors from frontline health workers to teachers and families, thanks to healthcare partners and corporate donors like Yale New Haven Health and Bank of America.
• Virtual Learning Supports: For remote learners in Kindergarten to 12th grade, UWCFC has provided a virtual tutoring program, a STEM enrichment workshop, and camps in robotics and engineering. These innovative offerings were made by the Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem, an initiative of the United Way’s flagship collective impact movement, Bridgeport Prospers.
• Freshly made lunches: Over 3,000 lunches delivered to hungry neighbors in 3 towns, through a partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin Company.
• Connections to Resources: Through the 2-1-1 Infoline, United Way has fielded over 135,000 service requests from Fairfield County residents in the past twelve months.

These supports were made possible through grants, partnerships, local fundraising and state-wide relief efforts.

Noted Kimball, “Throughout the pandemic, our United Way has worked innovatively and tirelessly to ease the burden shouldered by our neighbors. Together with our partners, we will overcome this crisis and keep building more equitable and resilient communities — where all our neighbors have the opportunity to thrive.”

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United Way of Coastal Fairfield County’s mission is “Together, we mobilize our communities to improve people’s lives.” Our vision is that all children in coastal Fairfield County are successful in school and prepared for success in life. UWCFC serves the towns of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. Find out more at: http://www.unitedwaycfc.org