GREENWICH — The Greenwich United Way awarded its first round of grants to local health, education and self-sufficiency programs across 20 partner agencies at its recent Community Investment Grant Recipient Reception.
Greenwich United Way Community Investment Grants are awarded to local organizations based on submission of grant applications and a rigorous review process by dozens of community volunteers.
“Our Grants Reception is a great way for the community to learn how the Greenwich United Way’s Community Investment Process works and the impact their dollars have on the programs we fund at each agency in town,” said David Rabin, CEO of Greenwich United Way. “Each grantee shares stories of how the grants made by the Greenwich United Way impact their respective organizations. This is all made possible by the generosity of the people of Greenwich who believe in our mission and help us aid over 17,000 Greenwich residents.”
Grants are made to programs in priority areas — mental health, self-sufficiency and early childhood education. Here are the recipients of the Community Investment Grants:
Abilis: Its Early Intervention Program offers collaborative, community-based supports for toddlers and children with developmental disabilities. On average, services range from five to six hours per month for a child with minimal delays to 35 to 40 hours per month for a child diagnosed with autism.
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich: Its After-School Program is open on weekdays from 2:45 to 9 p.m. during the academic year and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on vacation days. Everything is included for an annual fee of $50 per child. Children get healthy snacks and receive homework help, arts and crafts, reading or computer time. They may also enroll in extra classes.
The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education: The agency responds to sexual violence using the Empowerment Model. Its emphasis is on its main programs: 24-Hour Hotline, Short-Term Crisis Counseling, Advocacy, and Prevention Education.
Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut Inc.: The Child and Family Therapy program provides a range of clinic-based assessment and treatment services for children and teens that improve daily functioning.
Community Centers Inc. of Greenwich: The Comprehensive Education Program provides academic, social and emotional services that address the personal and environmental influences affecting children. It offers Homework Clubs, a Summer Program, teacher-led Breakfast Club, one-on-one tutoring support, counseling and academic enrichment services.
Family Centers: The Early Education Center of Excellence consists of The Grauer Preschool, The Gateway Preschool, Joan M. Warburg Infant Toddler Center and The Armstrong Court Preschool, which provide an accredited, full-day, year-round program for children aged 6 weeks through 5 years.
Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County: The Food Bank addresses food insecurity by providing emergency food to agencies and programs to distribute to those in need. The Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization located in lower Fairfield County.
Horizons at Brunswick: The Student Enrichment Program addresses the achievement gap by helping students from Greenwich Title I schools to improve their educational outcomes by providing academic and swimming instruction, enrichment opportunities, mentoring and guidance.
Jewish Family Services of Greenwich: Supermarketing for Seniors is a free grocery shopping and case monitoring program for homebound Greenwich seniors. New clients meet with a registered dietitian and are matched with a trained shopper.
Kids In Crisis: SafeHaven is a program in which counselors answer Helpline calls from community members and children in crisis. They assess needs and de-escalate crises by phone or in-person meetings 24 hours per day.
Laurel House: The Supported Education program is a free program that helps economically disadvantaged high school and college-age children living with mental health conditions succeed in post-secondary education.
Liberation Programs: The agency provides services for youth, adults and families, including inpatient treatment programs, outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment, specialized treatment programs for older adults and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Mothers For Others: The Diaper Acquisition and Distribution program provides diapers for eligible families.
Neighbor to Neighbor: The Food Pantry provides Greenwich residents with income below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines with three days’ worth of food for each member of the family each week.
Pacific House: The Emergency Meals Program provides two hot meals free to clients staying overnight at the emergency shelter.
Pathways Inc.: The Hot Lunch Grant and Fellowship Day Program provides nutritious meals to all adult clients who are below the poverty line.
River House: River House Adult Day Center is an adult day care center, providing medical support, personal care, emotional support and therapeutic recreation improving the quality of life for aging adults and those who care for them.
Transportation Association of Greenwich: The Municipal Dial-a-Ride Program provides 16,000 trips to the seniors and disabled of Greenwich.
YMCA of Greenwich: The Early Learning Center Childcare Program serves children from 6 weeks to 4 years old and includes full- and half-day preschool programs.
YWCA of Greenwich: The Domestic Abuse Services Mental Health Counseling provides 24-hour counseling.
The Greenwich United Way works to identify and address the health, educational and self-sufficiency needs of the local community and creates lasting solutions. For more information, visit https://greenwichunitedway.org.