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For Immediate Release:
Annie Scully
United Way of Connecticut
860-571-7215
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Getting CT Back To Work - United Way’s Uncomplicated Solution For Perplexed Employers |
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ROCKY HILL, CT: Yesterday, Connecticut United Ways gathered with Discovering Amistad, Connecticut business owners and state and nonprofit leaders to announce a win-win opportunity to get Connecticut back to work and increase racial equity by taking the doable steps to create better jobs for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) workers.
According to Governor Ned Lamont, as of last month there are approximately 100,000 people in our state collecting unemployment, and there are also 70,000 jobs that are open. With added COVID-19 unemployment benefits, now off the table, there are still so many people who have not returned to employment.
“United Way of Connecticut humbly offers this suggestion, and possible solution to both state and business leaders: let’s meet workers’ needs at work, “ said Lisa Tepper Bates, President & CEO of United Way of Connecticut. “United Way of Connecticut firmly believes that there are policies that employers can adopt today that will remove barriers to worker productivity, encourage employee retention, better meet the needs of ALICE households and reduce the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in our workforce. It’s a win-win.”
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Some of these policies include offering services such as free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to employees at work, providing flexible and family-friendly child care policies, and making employees aware of government and community supports and resources, including those that can be accessed through 211 Connecticut.
“Yale University is the largest employer in New Haven. We play a central role in people’s lives. It is different for every employer and every workforce, but when we can support people to be successful in finding and keeping a job, we all win,” said Chris Brown, Director of the New Haven Hiring Initiative, at Yale University. “It may be help with transportation. It may be flexible scheduling. It may be helping people save. All those things matter.”
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United Ways across Connecticut stand ready to partner with employers throughout our state who want to attract and retain top talent and treat them with dignity.
“One of the greatest strengths of United Way is our deep roots in our communities.
We are all made up of local people, and central to our role is both connecting with employers and understanding the issues -- and solutions -- for the residents of our cities and towns,” said Sulma Avenancio, Senior Vice President, Hartford/Springfield Markets, for Entravision, and Chair of the United Way of Connecticut Board of Directors. “We are committed to bringing these resources and relationships to the table as we work toward a better economy and a more equitable community for all.”
“As we address the disparities that exist in Connecticut, we must do so through the lens of racial equity. Racial equity is central to understanding how we got here -- but it’s also the key to a better future for everyone,” said Steven Hernandez ,Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity and United Way of Connecticut Board Member. "I’m pleased to be here with my friends from United Way as they announce a new way forward for everyone to get involved in this work."
To learn more about Connecticut United Way’s Uncomplicated Solution for Perplexed Employers click HERE.
To view Connecticut United Ways Anti-Racism and Ethnic Discrimination Statement, click HERE.
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A full recording of the event can be viewed HERE.
Click on the image below to watch an abbreviated video with follow up comments from Lisa Tepper Bates, President & CEO of United Way of Connecticut and Maria Campos-Harlow, Executive Director of United Way of Meriden and Wallingford.
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Featured speakers at yesterday’s event included:
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Chris Brown, Director, New Haven Hiring Initiative, Yale University
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Jennifer Heath, President & CEO, United Way of Greater New Haven
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Lisa Tepper Bates, President & CEO, United Way of Connecticut
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Maria Campos- Harlow, Executive Director, United Way of Meriden and Wallingford
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Paula Mann-Agnew, Executive Director, Discovering Amistad
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Steven Hernandez, Executive Director, CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity
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Sulma Avenancio, Senior Vice President Hartford/Springfield Markets, Entravision
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About United Way of Connecticut
United Way of Connecticut serves by 1) connecting people to information, education, and services; 2) supporting early childhood development and education; 3) responding to emergencies, whether they are personal/family crises or community-wide disasters; and, 4) promoting strong communities in collaboration with many government and nonprofit partners. These four objectives are carried out by means of our diverse array of services which creates cross-cutting connections that help to integrate the work of multiple government and nonprofit agencies.
United Way of Connecticut’s core services include Connecticut 211 contact center and point of entry for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services and Connecticut’s Coordinated Shelter Access Networks; 211 Child Care Resource and Referral Contact Center; 211 Child Development; and administering the State of Connecticut’s child care subsidy program, Care 4 Kids. United Way of Connecticut also works with local United Way leaders to advance the common good by creating opportunities for all, with a particular focus on education, income/financial security, health and basic needs.
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