How to LIVE UNITED

2011-09-23T12:17:00.001-04:00

September 15, 2011 -- 1,400 individuals volunteered throughout our community on our annual Day of Caring. Featuring business leaders, community members, government officials, and college students who spent the day inside and outside dozens of non-profits through out central Massachusetts. Donned with their LIVE UNITED t-shirts, teams worked on more than 90 projects at dozens of agencies in our community during United Way of Central Massachusetts Day of Caring, as part of the largest single day volunteer activity.

Teams worked in two shifts: from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some hearty volunteers actually worked the whole day on a specific project. All volunteers were invited to a free lunch at the Atrium of St. Vincent Hospital, where the Anna Maria College Marching Band greeted them.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, agencies, companies and sponsors who make this day possible!

Thank you volunteers!

2011-04-08T15:53:00.002-04:00

April 10 - 16 2011 is National Volunteer Week and United Way of Central Massachusetts would like to take the opportunity to extend its sincerest appreciation to all volunteers. Thank you!

National Volunteer Week celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve communities across the nation and right here in central Massachusetts.

Congratulations to this year's "Inspire by Example" Outstanding Volunteer Award recipients:

* Jennifer MacDonald: Nominated by University of Massachusetts Medical School
* Vaughn Hathaway: Nominated by African Community Education and Dynamy
* Arthur Joseph: Nominated by American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts
* Unum/South High Community School partnership

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T14:58:00.002-05:00

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
- William James
Thank you to all of our special loved ones who give so generously of their time treasure and talent throughout the year, you truly make a difference in the community.

2010 Holiday Wish List

2010-12-06T14:52:00.002-05:00

Celebrate the holidays by giving back to your community!

As the holidays approach and we reflect on the blessings we have received during the year, our minds and hearts turn to those in need in our community. As has been the tradition for many years, the Community Services Program at United Way of Central Massachusetts is proud to bring you our Holiday Wish List as a way for you to help, right here in central Massachusetts.

The Holiday Wish List offers a wide range of opportunities for businesses and individuals to support non-profit organizations that help local children and families. Find ways to help through donating gifts, volunteering at a holiday party, or creating food baskets for families. Search through the list and find a way to give back that suits you.
To download the print version of the Wish List click here

Thank You Day of Caring Volunteers!

2010-09-19T19:14:00.003-04:00

On September 15, nearly 15,000 men and women across the state set aside their standard to-do lists and went into the community to participate in United Way’s Day of Caring, an effort to advance the common good through one-day projects while fostering long-term volunteer engagement. This is the first time Massachusetts' 20 United Ways have joined together for a single coordinated volunteer day, thanks to the leadership of Tim Garvin, CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts and the chair of the Council of Massachusetts United Ways. Even Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed September 15, 2010 as a statewide DAY OF CARING.

We'd love to hear about your Day of Caring experiences, so leave us a comment.

Working to prevent summer learning loss

2010-08-19T09:15:00.001-04:00

Word Game, Telegram & Gazette

Wednesday, August 18, we had the opportunity to visit one of the unique programs that has taken place at summer camps in our area for the last two months to prevent the typical summer learning loss that comes with being out of the classroom for more than 8 weeks each year.

United Way and seven other partners have worked to pilot a Summer Learning and Literacy program at four area camp locations. The program isn’t about getting kids to read books, but rather incorporating the art of reading and literacy into typical camp activities. The program was funded through a grant by the Department of Early Education and Care and is being tested throughout the state in urban areas.

Those in attendance for the tour and speaking program at the YWCA Camp Wind in the Pines in Leicester were in full agreement that this is an essential program that needs to be widely implemented and accessible to all children.
Flickr photos

Volunteering data

2010-06-16T09:05:00.005-04:00

The Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) released its annual "Volunteering in America" (VIA) report. Learn what the data shows about our community, link to the VIA report>>

The work United Way is doing is helping our community recover from the worst recession since World War II. Civic service is not only recession proof, it's a key solution to the recession. Americans responded to the worst economic downturn since WWII by reaching out their hands to help their neighbors and their communities. Although many analysts expected to see the country's crime rate rise dramatically, and the spirit of unity fade, Americans instead posted the highest volunteer involvement recorded since 2003.

2009 saw the first significant increase in volunteer numbers since 2003.
63.4 million Americans volunteered in 2009, an increase of almost 1.6 million - the single largest increase since 2003.
2009's volunteer service was valued at more than $168 billion.

It's not where we fall on the list; it's how we rank in the heart of our communiy. The VIA research shows there are conditions which may hinder volunteering that are beyond our control.

Some of our most densely populated cities historically find themselves lower on the list of large sized cities.VIA data suggests several factors that lower volunteer rates in large metropolitan cities.
High foreclosure rates drive down the rate of volunteering.
Long commutes limit opportunities to volunteer
In areas and cities with higher poverty rates volunteering is also less common.
Cities with many renters, as opposed to homeowners, have less volunteer engagement due to less long-term community attachment.

Finding new life for our mission/goals by ramping up the reach to your community's youth. Millennials and teens are redefining "community" to extend far beyond the neighborhood in which they live. Because of technologies such as social media, their communities have no geographical boundaries. Youth are using that technology and communal connectivity to drive change and are not waiting for instruction to make change happen. They represent a powerful influx of energy and enthusiasm into the volunteer sector.

The volunteer rates for both Millennial & teen-aged volunteers increased in 2009.
In 2009, 10.8 million Millennials dedicated 1.1 billion hours of service to communities across the country.
21.6 percent of Millennials volunteered in 2009.
In 2009, 4.4 million teenagers (ages 16 to 19) dedicated 389.5 million hours of service to communities across the country. 26 percent of teenagers volunteered in 2009.

We are bringing the experts to the table by utilizing older citizens who are looking for engagement after retirement, for skills-based volunteering. Older Americans, many who've had successful professional careers, are ready and willing to lend their expertise to our community. Older Americans have high rates of volunteering and strong commitment to community.

In 2009, 9.1 million older adults (age 65 and older) dedicated 1.6 billion hours of service to communities across the country.
20.4 % of that time was volunteered in professional and management activities.

Thank you volunteers! Your commitment to United Way and the community makes a difference locally and nationally.

A special note of thanks

2010-04-23T11:32:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all of the community volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents to make central Massachusetts a better place to live! Click to see your special thank you e-card:

'A special note of thanks'

Celebrate National Volunteer Week

2010-04-06T12:32:00.002-04:00

April 18 -24, 2010, celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve communities across the nation. National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, united, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

Honor an individual who takes action to solve significant problems in their community. Complete the "Inspire by Example" Outstanding Volunteer Award nomination form by March 29, 2010. Nomination Form>>

Holiday Wish List 2009

2009-11-12T11:31:00.003-05:00

As the holidays approach and we reflect on the blessings we have received during the year, our minds and hearts turn to those most in need in our community. As has been the tradition for many years, the Community Services Program at United Way of Central Massachusetts is proud to bring you the 2009 Holiday Wish List as a way for you to help people in need, right here in central Massachusetts.

The Holiday Wish List offers a wide range of opportunities for businesses and individuals to support non-profit organizations that help children and families in our community.The list offers many opportunities for you to help: through donating gifts, volunteering at a holiday party, or creating food baskets for families. The opportunities are endless! Click here>> to download the 2009 Holiday Wish List.

Be sure to post a comment and let us know about your Holiday Wish List experience...maybe your story will inspire others to get involved!

Day of Caring, volunteers UNITED!

2009-09-15T16:00:00.003-04:00

What an amazing Day of Caring today! 1,100 volunteers through out central Massachusetts participated in 90 projects at over 60 local nonprofit agencies! Once again United Way succeeded in bringing the community together to improve the conditions for everyone who lives and works here.

Today the beautiful fall sunshine was a little bit brighter. Spirits were shining as I visited volunteers lending their time and muscles at the YWCA, AIDS Project Worcester and Plumley Village. In turn, the staff at these agencies were greatful to have the extra help. Today was truly a win-win!

Let us know what volunteering means to you, on Day of Caring or any other day. Please post your feed back in the comments area.

Day of Caring

2009-09-08T07:57:00.004-04:00

Making a difference locally, United Way's annual Day of Caring takes place this year on Tuesday, September 15th . This unique community-wide event engages volunteer teams from across Worcester County to complete one-day service projects that benefit local non-profit organizations and the clients they serve. For local businesses, groups and non-profit organizations, Day of Caring offers many opportunities. Last year over 1,000 volunteers participated in Day of Caring! Learn more>>

Vision Summit

2009-04-17T14:44:00.005-04:00

Earlier this week, I took part in a very special event; as part of United Way of Central Massachusetts' strategic planning process, a large and diverse group of stakeholders was invited to gather and dream. First, all were asked: What big, bold positive changes in Central MA would you be proud to achieve? Then, What are the ways that our United Way can play a pivotal and catalytic role in achieving these positive changes? The day was full of inspirational discussion and sharing of hopes for our community.
Please take advantage of this Blog to add a comment and let us know what your hopes are for our community.

UWCM staff LIVE UNITED

2009-01-29T13:40:00.000-05:00

This holiday season, United Way of Central Massachusetts staff chose to LIVE UNITED by opting to forgo their usual holiday party and donate those funds instead to Worcester County Food Bank's annual food drive. Staff gathered in their LIVE UNITED t-shirts to present a check for $850. Every dollar given to the Food Bank turns into $6.00 worth of food! This was a sizable donation which was distributed among area food pantries feeling an increased need during this season of giving. LIVE UNITED!