United Way Invests $2.45 Million to Drive Collective Action to End Poverty
The organization is working with 49 strategic partners committed to closing gaps in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy.
Hartford, Conn. (September 16, 2026) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is investing $2.45 million to continue efforts to end poverty in the 860 region. Funding will support 49 strategic partners that will collaborate within cross-sector working groups to address systemic barriers impacting individuals and families in central and northeastern Connecticut, while continuing to provide direct services.
The working groups – comprised of nonprofit partners, school districts, companies, community leaders, faith-based leaders, hospitals, towns representatives – are centered in community perspective. They focus on reducing disparities in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy to end poverty – the pillars of United Way’s Onward860: United to End Poverty strategic plan.
The groups have been convening quarterly to explore disparities and co-create high-impact strategies. The group members participated in a summit in May 2026 to share progress and findings, and discuss several initiatives in the pipeline: a regional childcare collaborative, a career navigation system, expansion of a housing vouchers program, and a pilot focused on community health liaisons. While discussions and planning are ongoing, a Request for Proposal process is expected to open this fall to participating strategic partners to help further advance collective action plans for emerging initiatives that will address root causes of poverty.
“Ending poverty in the 860 region is work that can’t be done in silos. It requires shared commitment and action to create impact. Through these investments, United Way is providing operating support for nonprofit strategic partners as we continue to co-create and implement collective action plans together,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.
United Way’s recently announced Strategic Partners include:
Advocacy to Legacy
Bristol Adult Resource Center
Bristol Boys & Girls Club
Bristol Family Center Inc.
Bristol Works
Catholic Charities, Inc. - Archdiocese of Hartford
Center for Children's Advocacy
Center for Leadership & Justice
Community First School Inc.
COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc.
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
Connecticut Foodshare, Inc.
Consolidated School District of New Britain
East Hartford Public Schools
End Hunger Connecticut
Forge City Works
Friendship Service Center, Inc.
Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc.
Hands On Hartford
Hartford Health Initiative
Hartford Interval House, Inc.
Hispanic Health Council, Inc.
Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.
Journey Home
Keney Park Sustainability Project
Levo International
Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Malta House of Care
Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc.
Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc. (OIC)
Our Piece of The Pie (OPP)
Plainville, Early Learning Center
Plymouth Community Food Pantry
Prudence Crandall Center, Inc.
South Park Inn, Inc.
St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Bristol
The Salvation Army Southern New England Division
The Village for Families & Children, Inc.
United Way of Connecticut, Inc.
Urban Alliance
Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc.
Veteran's Strong Community Center
Wheeler Clinic
Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM)
Women's League Child Development Center
YMCA New Britain Berlin
YWCA Hartford Region, Inc.
YWCA of New Britain, Inc. The Village for Families & Children, Inc.
United Way of Connecticut, Inc.
Urban Alliance
Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc.
Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM)
Women's League Child Development Center
YMCA New Britain Berlin
YWCA Hartford Region, Inc.
YWCA of New Britain, Inc.
Those interested in learning more about United Way’s work and strategic plan to End Poverty can visit unitedwayinc.org/onward860.
About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.
Media Contact: Anyeline Céspedes López | United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut | acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436