In this 20th episode of The Way Forward, learn more about United Way of Greater Waterbury’s investment in an Employment Support Program at Abilities Without Boundaries in Cheshire. Join guest host Glenn McCabe and United Way Director of Community Impact Kay Mello as they discuss how this program fits into United Way’s strategy surrounding Financial Stability, followed by insights on the partnership from Abilities Without Boundaries Executive Director Amanda Barnes, Erica, a client who takes part in the program, and Suzanne Kistner, their Director of Operations.

This episode brought to you by:
United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Marketing Partner, WORX. Learn more at worxbranding.com.

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Learn more about the St. Vincent DePaul Merriman Cullinary Job Training Program as we go behind the scenes at Fascia's Chocolates in Waterbury where we interview graduates of this program that United Way of Greater Waterbury funds student scholarships for.  Hear Abi and Fatiha's stories and how this program is making a difference. 

You'll also meet Chef Frank, current students, and Carmen Romeo of Fascia's Chocolates.

This episode brought to you by United Way Platinum Sponsor Post University. This also marks the first episode from our new Post University Podcast Studio, underwritten by Post University in our new Bank Street Offices.  Learn more at post.edu.

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The Way Forward: Day of Action to Stock the Pantry 2025

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of our annual food drive Stock the Pantry.  

How did this initiative come about? What is the food resource committee? What is the real need?  How can I get involved?

United Way’s Jered Bruzas, Renee Young, and Glenn McCabe stopped by to answer these questions and more with Chris Fortier at WATR. This episode is brought to you by: Thomaston Savings Bank. Learn more at thomastonsavingsbank.com

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We have a special episode for you today, as we listen in on the insights and reflections of United Way of Greater Waterbury President and Chief Professional Officer Kristen Jacoby as she discusses her 25 years of service with Christopher Fortier of WATR.  

This episode brought to you by:

United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Plus Sponsor IVES Bank. Learn more at IVESBank.com

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In this episode, WATR 1320am host Chris Fortier interviews United Way of Greater Waterbury Director of Community Impact Kay Mello, VITA Program Manager at Advancing Connecticut Together  Nick Brundage on the 2025 updates of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program which helps lower income families maximize their returns and EITC's through FREE IRS certified volunteer tax preparation services.  Over the past 7 years, VITA volunteers have returned over $11 million dollars in refunds to families in our 10-town service area.  You'll find out how in this dynamic interview!  This episode brought to you by United Way Platinum Premier Corporate Sponsor Webster Bank. 

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Part 2: For the past several months, we have been capturing powerful perspectives of people across the region as part of the Help Every Voice Be Heard campaign.

For the first time here, we have combined these stories to provide deeper and richer insights into the work you help make possible through your support of United Way.  People being helped, in need of help, and the partners who are creating change in our community, all in their own words. 

Many of these stories have never been heard before. In part 2, you’ll experience stories from several of our youth focused programs with partners such as Copper Beech Institute, YMCA, Waterbury Youth Services, Girls Inc. (now Park Central), along with stories from Ion Bank volunteers, Morris House, insights from Wellmore Behavioral Health, the Reentry Center, Connecticut Counseling Centers, and more.

This episode is brought to you by:

United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Sponsor Ion Bank. Learn more at ionbank.com

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Part 1: For the past several months, we have been capturing powerful perspectives of people across the region as part of the Help Every Voice Be Heard campaign.

For the first time here, we have combined these stories to provide deeper and richer insights into the work you help make possible through your support of United Way.  People being helped, in need of help, and the partners who are creating change in our community, all in their own words. 

In part 1 of 2, you’ll hear stories from those facing homelessness, and some of our partners providing solutions.  About the increased demand on our food banks, and how United Way is joining with partners to provide solutions and more. Stories featuring The Salvation Army, HomeWorks, CT Legal Services, Waterbury Baptist Ministries, Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries, ECC Food Pantry, and the students from Wolcott Summer Studies.

This episode is brought to you by:

United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Marketing Partner WORX. Learn more at worxbranding.com

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In this episode, WATR 1320am host Chris Fortier interviews United Way of Greater Waterbury Director of Community Impact Kay Mello,  VITA Program Manager at CT Association for Human Services Nick Brundage, and United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls Executive Director Lisa Shappy on the benefits of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program which helps those families making $63,000 or less by maximizing their returns and EITC's through free IRS certified volunteer tax preparation services.

This episode brought to you by WATR 1320am— Greater Waterbury’s favorite broadcast choice for News-Talk-Sports and Music. 

Learn more at watr.com

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Join Tom Chute of WATR 1320am in this episode as he interviews your 2022/23 Campaign Chair Dr. Justin Lundbye, President/CEO of Waterbury HEALTH and United Way's Chief Development Officer Tomeka Cole! 

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The Way Forward: Not your average Job Readiness Bootcamp

In this episode, we went out in the field to capture the stories and people behind a recent Job Readiness Boot Camp.  But not just any Job Readiness Boot Camp. This Boot Camp was targeted toward individuals who are very motivated to change their lives through meaningful employment, leave their past behind, and find a way forward.

The Boot Camps were specifically to prepare those with past justice involvement for an upcoming Job Fair that was hosted by the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. 

We’re confident you’ll find this episode eye-opening, insightful, and engaging!

This episode is brought to you by:

United Way Platinum Media Sponsor the Republican-American “Your trusted local news source” Learn more at rep-am.com

And

Largay Travel - Learn more at largaytravel.com

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Welcome to the final episode in a 3-part series on education we’re calling Short-Cuts.  Shorter podcasts that together will provide deeper insights into a specific area.

In this episode, host Scott Largay visits with Superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools and United Way Board Member Dr. Verna D. Ruffin to learn more about how United Way is making a difference in the area of Education and how the United Way youth volunteer initiative UPSTARTERS is playing a role! 

This episode is brought to you by:

United Way Platinum Premier Sponsor Webster Bank. Turn possibility into reality. Learn more at  websterbank.com
And
Largay Travel - to start planning your next great getaway visit largaytravel.com

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Welcome to the 2nd episode in a 3-part series on education we’re calling Short-Cuts.  Shorter podcasts that together will provide deeper insights into a specific area.

In this episode, we’ll be visiting with the Executive Director of Waterbury Bridge to Success, Althea Brooks,  to learn how United Way was instrumental in their formation and in their continuing success. 

This episode is brought to you by:

United Way Platinum Premier Sponsor Drew Marine, a leading provider of technical solutions and services to the maritime industry. Learn more at drew-marine.com

And

Largay Travel - to start planning your next great getaway visit largaytravel.com

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Welcome to the first in a 3-part series on education we’re calling Short-Cuts.  Shorter podcasts that together will provide deeper insights into a specific area.

In our first episode, we’ll be visiting with United Way’s Vice President of Community Impact, Jason Martinez to learn more about why United Way is focused on this critical area and how does it fit into the bigger picture.

This episode is brought to you by:

United Way Platinum Marketing Partner WORX - Branding > Digital > Marketing - Learn more at worxbranding.com

And

Largay Travel - to start planning your next great getaway visit largaytravel.com

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Join Tom Chute of WATR 1320am in this episode as he interviews 2021-2022 Campaign Chair, Dr. Steven E. Schneider, president of Saint Mary's Hospital and Kristen Jacoby, president of United Way of Greater Waterbury as they share more about the upcoming first ever outdoor kickoff September 9th and the needs of the upcoming campaign!

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Join Tom Chute of WATR 1320am as he interviews Stock the Pantry 2021 Co-Chair Jennifer Carbonaro of Webster Bank and United Way of Greater Waterbury's Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Jessica Carlino as they share what's new with this year's Stock the Pantry effort!  Learn more about both the in-person drop off on June 18th and the fun online virtual option in this discussion! 

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In this episode, host Scott Largay shares a conversation Karen Mello, Director of Community Impact with United Way and Jenny Vongxay, VITA Program Coordinator at CT Association for Human Services and VITA Site Coordinator for Bethlehem Library had with Tom Chute of WATR on how this year’s VITA effort is pivoting in the time of COVID.

In addition, we went on location to hear from Raechel Guest, Director of the Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury and how they are once again joining United Way in the effort this year. 

This episode brought to you by Drew Marine, a leading provider of technical solutions and services to the maritime industry. Learn more at drew-marine.com

Largay Travel with a message to "keep dreaming" with their new travel dreaming series. Learn more at LargayTravel.com

And WATR 1320am— Greater Waterbury’s favorite broadcast choice for News-Talk-Sports and Music. 

Learn more at watr.com

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In this episode, host Scott Largay shares an insightful conversation by Tom Chute of WATR 1320am with Marya DiPerna of Post University and Jennifer Carbonaro of Webster Bank, co-chairs of United Way’s Stock the Pantry food drive and how this year’s effort is pivoting to deliver success in the current environment.

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In this episode, host Scott Largay shares an insightful conversation by Tom Chute of WATR 1320am with Kristen Jacoby, President and CPO of United Way of Greater Waterbury, and Julie Loughran, President and CEO of the Connecticut Community Foundation on how they’ve joined forces to respond to the COVID-19 crisis with a new fund to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak.

This episode brought to you by Largay Travel with a message to "keep dreaming" with their new travel dreaming series. Learn more at LargayTravel.com

And WATR 1320am—86 years as Greater Waterbury’s favorite broadcast choice for News-Talk-Sports and Music. Learn more at watr.com

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The Independence Center (IC), operated by United Way of Greater Waterbury partner agency Mental Health Connecticut, is located off The Green in Waterbury.

The work of the IC is aligned under United Way’s Basic Needs Impact Area – in the Health Care strand –  as a mental health support program.

In this episode, host Scott Largay introduces you to Joseph, who has benefited from the services at Mental Health Connecticut, and then dig a little deeper in the work with Trista Genova, Member Services Manager, and Suzi Craig, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Mental Health Connecticut.

This episode brought to you by United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Sponsor Webster Bank. Turn possibility into reality. Learn more at  websterbank.com 

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Host Scott Largay takes you inside the work of United Way in this interview with United Way’s Community Impact Manager Renee Young.  She describes how youth in the new UPSTARTERS program are helping to address homelessness. Next, Marianne Malanaphy, LMSW of United Way partner agency Waterbury Youth Services sheds light on the challenges of an invisible population, youth who are homeless in Greater Waterbury, as she shares how they are making a difference with the support of United Way.

This episode brought to you by United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Corporate Sponsor Post University. Post Makes it Personal. Learn more at Post.edu

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