Our Focus Areas

2011

Calls for Help Increase Dramatically at United Way’s 2-1-1 Service

Call volume triples as operators prepare for influx of homebound service members seeking assistance in coming months
12/23/2011

When the calendar turns to January 1, 2012 United Way's 24-hour, statewide 2-1-1 call service will have received roughly 90,000 calls from residents seeking housing, utility payments, procuring food, becoming financially stable, veterans services, emergency relief and childcare help. The call volume is a sharp increase from the 30,000 calls it received at the beginning of the recession in 2006.  read more »

DYS Commissioner to Become New Executive Director of Boston’s Early Childhood Initiative

Jane Tewksbury brings longstanding youth commitment to focus on city’s youngest children
12/22/2011

Less than a week after Massachusetts was awarded up to $50 million in Race to the Top funding for early childhood education, Thrive in 5 has selected Jane E. Tewksbury as its new Executive Director. As of February 1, 2012, Tewksbury will assume her post as head of Boston's citywide movement to ensure that all children entering kindergarten have the resources and support they need for success in school and beyond. Tewksbury has served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services since 2005.  read more »

United Way Distributes $250,000 to Struggling Agencies Aiding Families in Need

Nonprofit challenges community to match $250,000 in funding; Donations being accepted at www.chooseyourimpact.org/ffsf

5 Tips to Make Your Donation Effective

United Way’s holiday donor checklist
12/09/2011

The holiday season is in full swing and many of us have begun receiving donation requests from nonprofits for much needed funding, volunteering or in-kind contributions. These requests for support come in our mail, over the phone, through email, from friends and family on social media and sometimes from volunteers on the street. There are many reputable organizations that need your help however it can be difficult to decide which nonprofits you should support. Here are United Way's 5 Tips to Make Your Donation Effective:

1. Clear Goals  read more »

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Volunteering

How to find the best volunteer opportunities for you
12/08/2011

The holiday season is in full swing and many of us want to give back to our community through volunteering. Given the number of volunteer opportunities in the region it is important to answer several questions before you sign up. Here are United Way's 5 questions you can answer to get you on your way to volunteering in your community. For more information including United Way's Take the Pledge campaign and a list of volunteer opportunities visit www.supporunitedway.org/volunteer.  read more »

United Way, GMC and Dozens of Volunteers Install Equipment at Lynn Playground

GMC's Monday Night Football Tour comes to New England
11/22/2011

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE PLAYGROUND BUILD

Volunteers from the Lynn community joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and GMC to install new equipment at Lynn's Kiley Playground. The event was part of GMC's second annual national Monday Night Football Tour.  read more »

United Way Thanksgiving Project Continues Despite Increase in Food Costs

5,000 families to receive full meals Saturday thanks to increased support from corporate donors, community volunteers
United Way's Thanksgiving Project volunteers unload food in preparartyon for Saturday's distribution.
11/18/2011

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley's 14th Annual Thanksgiving Project will feed 5,000 families throughout the region this holiday despite rising food costs for the second consecutive year. As a recent study cites a significant increase in food costs this holiday, local corporations and nonprofits again stepped forward to donate tractor trailer-loads of food to provide families with complete, balanced meals.  read more »

United Way Pledges Support for the Grant Resource Network

GRN empowers nonprofits with tools and resources to increase their capacity for funding
11/16/2011

The Grant Resource Network in Merrimack Valley, a program of Associated Grant Makers (AGM), has received a grant from  read more »

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