OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HARDWORKING, STRUGGLING HOUSEHOLDS BY MOBILIZING THE RESOURCES OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE. UNITED WAY OF COASTAL AND WESTERN CONNECTICUT (UNITED WAY) IS THE CHAMPION FOR FAMILIES LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK IN OUR 27-TOWN REGION ACROSS FAIRFIELD AND SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES. WE FOCUS ON THREE KEY AREAS: EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND HEALTH. OUR VISION IS THAT EVERY FAMILY IS HEALTHY AND STRONG, EVERY HOUSEHOLD IS FINANCIALLY STABLE, AND EVERY CHILD ENTERS SCHOOL READY TO LEARN AND GRADUATES READY TO SUCCEED. WE ARE FOCUSED ON A POPULATION THAT UNITED WAY CALLS ALICE (ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED). ALICE HOUSEHOLDS ARE EMPLOYED, OFTEN IN MORE THAN ONE JOB, YET CANNOT AFFORD BASIC NECESSITIES LIKE FOOD, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, CHILD CARE, AND HEALTHCARE. A UNITED WAY REPORT PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 2023 REVEALED THAT 39% OF HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT ARE ALICE OR LIVE IN POVERTY.