Westport Supported by United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
(L-R): Tom Green, United Way Emeritus Board Member, First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, UW CEO Jeff Kimball, Human Services Director Elaine Daignault. Contributed photoUnited Way of Fairfield County:
Yesterday, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County awarded the Town of Westport a grant to support residents impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, along with a supply of KN95 protective face masks. The presentation was made to Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Human Services Director Elaine Daignault.
On hand from the local United Way were CEO Jeff Kimball and Westport resident Tom Green, an emeritus member of the non-profit’s Board of Directors.
First Selectwoman Tooker acknowledged the United Way’s longstanding commitment to support local social services programs, “Westport is so grateful for the United Way’s continued partnership and support of programs that meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents.”
The Covid Relief Grant provides emergency assistance for food, rent, utilities and critical bills to help keep families in stable homes. This is the third round of grants awarded by United Way to support those impacted by the pandemic.
The goal of the KN-95 mask donation is to help stem the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Additionally, masks can be an important support for families whose budgets are strained by this additional cost.
Human Services Director Elaine Daignault noted that the pandemic has placed additional stress on seniors and families. “The United Way grant funds allowed us to purchase and distribute supplies at a time when testing resources were particularly difficult to find.” According to Daignault, “The grant’s timing couldn’t have been better; the most recent Omnicron wave posed a significant setback to those who needed to get back to work and reengage in community offerings. Recipients of the PPE supplies are so grateful to access the resources they need to protect their families.”
United Way Board Member Tom Green 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 Town of Westport—my hometown—to bring help and hope to those who are struggling.”
Even before the pandemic, one out of five Westport families struggled to make ends meet. The health crisis and the rising cost of living have worsened the situation. This surging need is reflected in the increased calls to United Way’s 2-1-1 Infoline. Last year, town residents’ requests for resources doubled; overall, requests are up nearly 400% since the beginning of the pandemic.
The current grant of $2,000 follows an earlier award of electronic gift cards to help town residents in need. During the pandemic, United Way also provided grants to three area agencies serving local families--Homes with Hope, Person-to-Person, Open Door Shelter. As of today, United Way has donated 6,500 protective face masks to the town for resident use.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County (UWCFC) has made investments in every one of the 12 towns it serves, offering:
Supports for basic needs: Approximately $216,000 in grants to support towns and community partners providing for basic needs like food, rent, and utilities. Also, over 3,000 freshly-made lunches were delivered to hungry neighbors in 3 towns, through a partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin Company.
Direct Help to Families: Over $89,000 in electronic gift cards to families in need, distributed by towns and local social service agencies.
Protective Equipment: Over 140,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, including protective masks, gloves, and face shields to help neighbors including frontline workers, teachers, and families, thanks to donor partners like Bank of America and Yale New Haven Health.
Virtual Learning Support: For remote learners in Kindergarten to 12th grade, UWCFC has provided online tutoring, STEM learning programs, and college financial aid workshops. During summer, United Way supported enriched learning in robotics, engineering, e-sports, leadership, and college preparation. 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.
Connections to Resources: Through the 2-1-1 Infoline, United Way fielded over 123,000 service requests from Fairfield County residents in the past two years.
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.”
Westport Writers’ Workshop to Host “More Than Words”Outreach Fundraiser April 29
Westport Writers’ Workshop:
Westport Writers’ Workshop (WWW) shares the gift of expression via their many virtual and in-person writing courses for area students. In recent years, they’ve expanded their reach to those outside their core classroom to include individuals undergoing specific challenges, or who have survived some type of hardship, abuse, or trauma. Enter More Than Words, the newly named initiative which provides complimentary writing workshops for organizations that have requested them. Dedicated instructors volunteer to teach writing to varied groups — outside the immediate WWW community — to help people heal and grow through story. WWW will raise monies for this specific effort at their upcoming fundraising event, More Than Words: Celebrating Outreach to Unheard Writers, slotted for Friday, April 29, 6:30-9:30 at Wakeman Farm, Westport. All are invited.
Westport Writers’ Workshop has partnered with many local groups such as The Center for Empowerment and Education (formerly the Danbury Women’s Shelter), Homes for the Brave, Caroline House, Harlem Village Academies, Training at Amherst Writers and Artists, as well as hosted free workshops for Writing for Women affected by Breast Cancer, College Essay Writing for Fairfield Seniors, and Writing for Women with Special Needs Children. Should your organization like to be considered for the program, please email info@westportwritersworkshop.
“It’s our goal to gather Westport Writers’ Workshop members and beyond to “raise the roof” this spring on donations to benefit the change-making More Than Words program. Our outreach workshops have touched the lives of many and have filled a definite need, a wonderful win-win,” said Liz Matthews, Executive Director, Westport Writers’ Workshop
The cost of the April 29 charity event is $125 per person. The evening will feature casual fare, music, and personal haikus created by Westport’s First Poet Laureate Diane Lowman. As the event nears, details regarding ticket sales will be posted on the Westport Writers’ Workshop website (westportwriters.org), social media, and in Fairfield County press outlets.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 11; State Positivity Rate 7.08%, Hospitalizations Down
The State Department of Public Health reported 11 new COVID-19 cases for Westport over the past 24 hours. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 7.08% while hospitalizations were down as 24 more patients were released from hospitals.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 3,709 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 34 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 7.08% [down from 4.77%]
State Hospitalizations: 607 patients [-24]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind 3 to 6 mph.