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UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT | COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 3 UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT | COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 3 CONTENTS 4 2023 United Way Community Service Award 7 United Way is Community First 8 Financial Hardship Persists; United Way's Network Offers Hope 10 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Grows 12 United Way Readers 14 Thank You to Year of Caring Participants 17 VITA Volunteers 18 How United Way Works 19 How Your Gifts Were Directed 20 Thank You to Workplace Partners 23 Board of Directors 23 Staff and Volunteers A s I approach the conclusion of my term as Chair of United Way's Board of Directors, I fondly reflect upon what we have been able to accomplish together in the last two years during significant times of transition – both for our organization and our community. As a member of the leadership team at my workplace, a local corporation that frames its business around being purpose- driven and empowering communities, I have implemented the same philosophies to guide me in leading our United Way as our community recovered from the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. Data recently released through the 2023 Connecticut United Ways ALICE Report confirms that economic consequences persist. With challenge comes opportunity, and I have full confidence that United Way and our significant network of change-makers will continue to tackle and solve for the tough issues impacting people in our community. After leading the Executive Search Committee, introducing Eric Harrison as United Way's newest President and CEO to our diverse group of stakeholders in February of 2022 was an experience I will always warmly remember. The Committee knew during the interview process that Eric was the right person to lead the organization, especially given the exciting milestone of United Way's 100th Anniversary quickly approaching. With regards to the Centennial, I am quite proud of what we have accomplished together to prepare for this milestone during my tenure as Chair of the Board, including: • Modernizing technology, systems and organizational practices; • Completing 41 Community FIRST Conversations with diverse stakeholders and hosting dozens of donor interviews; and, • Completing an updated strategic plan as we move toward our next century of service. I am grateful for the many leadership volunteers, advocates, corporate and community partners, donors and municipal and educational leaders whom I value serving alongside. Among them is the incoming Chair of United Way's Board of Directors, Pete Collins of Travelers. Pete has a long history of involvement with our United Way, serving most recently as Vice Chair of our Board. Pete's passion for the organization's mission and his dedication to continued innovation and growth will set our United Way's trajectory for success as we celebrate a century of service to our community. Thank you for your continued support of United Way and for the opportunity to partner with you. I remain committed to United Way and anticipate working with you all for many years to come. Sincerely, Vittoria Pace Chair, Board of Directors United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut