East Haddam Early Childhood Council receives United Way grant

December 23, 2011 Local News No Comments

“We hope that all families with children ages five and younger will use our Family Resource Center to voice their needs, take part in decision-making, and to receive any supports necessary for their children's success." - East Haddam Early Childhood Coordinator Cindy Praisner

The Middlesex United Way Board of Directors has approved a total of $24,950 to support six programs in the areas of school readiness or affordable housing, including a $1,495 grant to the East Haddam Board of Education’s Early Childhood Council.

This funding comes from United Way’s education focus area, the goal of which is to increase children’s readiness to learn when they begin school.

East Haddam’s Early Childhood Council (ECC) will use the funds to help with outreach to the town’s low-income, at-risk families.

“For families facing financial struggles, finding needed services can feel like a difficult and lonely process,” said East Haddam Early Childhood Coordinator Cindy Praisner.

The Middlesex United Way Board of Directors also chose three additional programs to receive one-time grants:

Middlesex Hospital, a one-time award of $10,000 for implementing Child FIRST, a nationally recognized program that provides prevention and early intervention services for very high risk children and families;

Best Beginning in Clinton, CT, $1,500 to improve technological capacity of its Early Childhood Council;

Cromwell, CT Board of Education, $1,100 for the implementation of a Math Readiness Program for preschool children, their families and their caregivers.

Also, in United Way’s focus area of housing, two programs were selected to support the ability of individuals and families to attain affordable housing, one of the United Way’s Five Year Goals for the Common Good.

These programs are:

Middlesex County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness – $5,428 for its Homeless Prevention Fund, to provide immediate assistance to those at risk of losing their housing; and

Middlesex Habitat for Humanity – $5,427 for the group’s “Brush with Kindness” program that helps to preserve local homeownership.

Programs receiving United Way funding undergo a review by volunteers to ensure the support will be used wisely and efficiently.

After approval by United Way’s team of volunteers on the Community Impact Council, the recommendations are brought to the United Way’s full Board of Directors.

Middlesex United Way is a locally-based organization serving the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Posted Dec. 23, 2011

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