Our Focus Areas

Advocate

Russet Morrow
Fri, 05/17/2013

A slightly different kind of Brain Building: how a bond bill can support early ed

In an opinion piece in this week's Boston Globe, Representatives Sal DiDominico and Jeffrey Sanchez wrote about a part of the Housing Bill that would upgrade child care facilities serving low income children, to meet important quality standards.  read more »

Kate Ward
Thu, 04/25/2013

National Volunteer Week: UW staff shares what volunteering means to them

In honor of National Volunteer Week, United Way staff took a moment to share what volunteerism means to them, personally. Please add your voice to the comments!  read more »

Dave Johnson
Fri, 04/12/2013

The Great Brain Gain!

United Way and the City of Lowell Team Up to Pitch Early Literacy

What does Mother Goose and a giant green alligator with a baseball cap have in common?  read more »

Michael Durkin
Tue, 03/26/2013

Early Education is the Right Investment for Massachusetts

Last week, United Way co-hosted a legislative briefing at the Massachusetts State House with our partners at the Department of Early Education & Care and its new Commissioner Tom Weber. As the Commonwealth continues to discuss the merits of funding early education in Massachusetts, I’m thrilled that United Way is taking part in this very important discussion.  read more »

Kate Ward
Fri, 03/01/2013

March 1 is Read Across America Day!

Educators and policymakers of all stripes will be donning their Cat-in-the-Hat hats this week and reading to young children to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday. United Way, in our partnership with the National Education Association and teachers everywhere, is proud to celebrate Read Across America Day on March 1. It’s a fun way to celebrate books and reading, but our commitment to early literacy must be sustained every day of the year.  read more »

Brigid Boyd
Fri, 11/16/2012

Never Too Young to Give Back

The Thankgiving Project inspires donations from unexpected sources
TJ at Thanksgiving Project

Two years ago, I was headed up to Quincy on a cold Saturday morning in November to help out at our annual Thanksgiving Project. My son TJ, eight years old at the time, noticed I was wearing my trademark LIVE UNITED t-shirt and asked where I was going.  read more »

Michael K. Durkin
Mon, 09/10/2012

Measuring our success: How United Way quantifies community impact

The Boston Globe published an article about new ways in which non-profits work to quantify their success ("Nonprofits quantify their success").  read more »

Thu, 08/02/2012

Miriam Nyan's Story

by Dave Johnson
Pictured here are, from left, Diane Exter, chair of the MLH Scholarship Committee, Miriam Nyan,  Marian L. Heard and United Way President Michael K. Durkin.

Pictured here are, from left, Diane Exter, chair of the MLH Scholarship Committee, Miriam Nyan, Marian L. Heard and United Way President Michael K. Durkin.  read more »

Wed, 08/01/2012

Bank of America Manager's Compassion Gives Fred a New Start

by Dave Johnson

Each month, Fred Robbins, 76 years old, homeless and afflicted with a recurring heart condition, draws from his checking and savings account at the Bank of America branch in 460 West Broadway in South Boston.  He receives a small Social Security payment every month, a sum that falls short of basic needs expenses.  So he sleeps in the airport.  read more »

Russet Morrow
Fri, 04/20/2012

Bringing Brain Building to Beacon Hill

United Way's legislative breakfast

United Way brought its "Brain Building in Progress" message to Beacon Hill last week as it convened a breakfast for legislators and their staff. The event, sponsored by Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and Representatives Alice Peisch and Steven Walsh, featured representatives from leading statewide advocacy groups, who spoke about what they see on the ground - and how we can improve the lives of our most valuable asset, our children.  read more »