At Middlesex United Way, our top priority is working toward creating a better Middlesex County. Every day, we try to find new opportunities to bring good to our community. We have found that the best way to stay on course with this critical work is to ensure we are transparent, held accountable, and hold ourselves to the highest standard.
Transparency is not just important for our actions, but just as important for the contributions we are tasked with distributing. Our investments and donor dollars are rigorously tracked and audited throughout the year. We work to ensure every generously donated dollar goes to a deserving cause.
Middlesex United Way invests donors’ gifts in the highest quality programs throughout Middlesex County. These programs are ones that make measurable progress toward our goals in our four focus areas of education, income, health and housing. We strive to have the biggest and most positive impact in all our endeavors, and that takes quite a bit of strategizing.
United Way funding is provided to locally based not-for-profit agencies that provide health and human services to the people of Middlesex County, and meet identified critical community needs and priorities. Organizations who apply must submit detailed financial statements, a certified audit, as well as information on programs and services to be provided.
They must also identify how their services would be impacted if they did not receive funding or were only partially funded, how they will use the funds for the proposed fiscal year, and what United Way goal is most consistent with their work.
To stay transparent and accountable, we must hold our partners to the same level. We work together on addressing the root causes of issues, and it is essential to evaluate the work of the partners. We track their measurable outcomes and make sure they, too, are addressing community problems in the early stages, or sometimes before they even happen.
If successful, many of our community partners can help establish a network of resources and support, helping residents avoid falling into risky situations altogether.
We openly and honestly share our practices and results, and, in doing so, remain a highly trusted organization and partner.
We also strive to be accountable through our inclusivity. We are inspired by our community’s diversity, and work to make sure we serve residents from all backgrounds and circumstances. United means together. From the members of the board of directors to all our volunteers, we make sure to encourage input and feedback from everyone’s unique life experiences to see the topics and challenge areas from as many perspectives as possible.
Finally, we as an organization are also held accountable by you, our community. It is because of you we continue to develop strategies that “move the needle” and meet our community’s most pressing needs.
This year, our most recent work includes trauma-informed care, and increasing our focus on our work with the Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed population. If you have any ideas about how we can do our job more effectively, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly.
We are right in the heart of Middletown at 100 Riverview Center, or you can call me at 860-346-8695. I would love to hear from you.
Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.
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