An independent evaluation of the first year of United Way of Westchester and Putnam's Education United Academic and Enrichment Afterschool Program, which provides a free bilingual afterschool program to students from marginalized populations, found that it had many significant successes during the 22-23 school year. It is funded through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Education United's main goals, measured by performance indicators, are to provide services and programming that improve both academic and social-emotional outcomes for students, support the families of these students, and foster increased community involvement among key stakeholders.

The evaluation was based on the Brookside Elementary program in Ossining, the only location to open during the 22-23 school year. It found a consistent attendance of 169 students, with 95% accruing 15+ hours of attendance. Additionally, those students had a 60% increase in attendance from 2022-2023, which resulted in a 12% decrease in chronically absent students from 2022-23. Finally, the schoolteachers recognized a 50% increase in classroom engagement among the Education United Program students from 2022-2023. The evaluation also found a high level of parent satisfaction with program services and operations.

"Seeing a 60% increase in attendance and a 50% boost in classroom engagement is truly inspiring. Education United is not just offering afterschool activities; it's sparking a passion for learning and unlocking potential in our most vulnerable students, said United Way of Westchester and Putnam Chief Impact Officer Faith Ann Butcher. "This program is a shining example of how collaboration and evidence-based practices can empower young minds and strengthen communities."

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC) is a federal grant administered by the New York State Education Department to subgrantees statewide. The 21st CCLC grant supports the development of community learning centers that offer students academic and enrichment opportunities and target students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. These grants focus on the following goals:

 - Support students to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects (i.e., ELA and math);
 - Provide opportunities to participate in enrichment; and
 - Provide family support to include a variety of educational services.

On Oct. 2,. United Way kicked off Year 2 of the Education United Program at Brookside Elementary School in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle. It also launched the program at Highview Elementary School in Hartsdale. There are currently more than 300 students enrolled in the program. It is expanding to a third site at W.L. Moorse School in Tarrytown in the first quarter of 2024.  

United Way Spreads Holiday Cheer with American Christmas Partnership

United Way of Westchester and Putnam is proud to announce its heartwarming partnership with American Christmas to bring joy and festive spirit to 15 deserving Westchester families during the holiday season. In a display of collective generosity, these families, who have faced various challenges throughout the year, will receive beautifully decorated and pre-lit artificial Christmas trees to brighten their homes courtesy of American Christmas.

The selected families were nominated by local nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups in Westchester, ensuring that those who could benefit the most from this initiative are given the opportunity to experience the magic of the season.

As part of this heartwarming endeavor, the families will visit American Christmas's storefront in November and have the opportunity to decorate their new Christmas trees with an array of ornaments. This hands-on experience not only fosters a sense of ownership but also creates cherished memories for the families to treasure.

American Christmas, a renowned leader in holiday decorating services, is contributing pre-lit trees and a wide selection of ornaments to make this festive dream come true. Their commitment to spreading holiday cheer aligns seamlessly with United Way's mission of improving lives and creating a brighter future for the communities it serves.

"We are thrilled and immensely grateful to partner with American Christmas once again on this uplifting holiday project," said Melissa Preudhomme, program coordinator for United Way of Westchester and Putnam. "The holiday season is a time for giving, and together with American Christmas, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of these families, bringing warmth and joy when it is needed most."

This heartwarming initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration and community support, showcasing how organizations and businesses can come together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those facing adversity.

Kirschner to Head up 211 Policy Board

Terry Kirchner, executive director of the Westchester Library System (WLS) and Putnam Valley resident, is the next 211 Hudson Valley and Long Island Policy Board chair. Kirchner has been a member of the 211 Policy Board since 2019 and has been the executivedirector of WLS since 2009. A frequent collaborator with UWWP on a number of projects, he brings a passion for information and referral to the role and myriad board experiences, as well as a singular understanding of the Westchester community. Kirchner has a Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University and has more than 30 years of experience in academia and libraries. 

“As a career nonprofit professional in the Information and Referral space, Terry knows how important 211 is in our community. As a long-time advocate and United Way friend, we are thrilled he agreed to chair our 211 Policy Board,” said Tom Gabriel, president and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam.

Kirschner succeeds Chris Ashman, retired Commissioner of Mental Health in Orange County, who has served as the 211 HV&LI Policy Board chair for more than a decade.

The 211 Policy Board was created in August 2004 to oversee our United Way’s 211 service in the Hudson Valley Region (encompassing Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties). The Policy Board expanded to include the Long Island Region in September 2022 after UWWP was granted lead agency status for that region by 211NYS in September 2021.

Membership in the 211 HV&LI Policy Board consists of the chief professional officer (CPO/CEO) or their permanent designee of each United Way in the Hudson Valley and Long Island Regions, as well as up to two additional members from each county served by those United Ways.  

United Way Seeking Tax Preparation Assistance Volunteers for Putnam County
 
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is recruiting volunteers to assist with tax preparation in Putnam County during the upcoming tax season. These volunteers will commit to volunteering a few hours each week and will support the efforts of the Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition.

There are three ways to volunteer.  

 - Tax Counselors help prepare taxes for clients. This opportunity is on-site in Putnam County.
 - Client Facilitators support the Tax Counselors and ensure that appointments run smoothly. This opportunity is on-site in Putnam County.  
 - Appointment Specialists assist with the overflow of appointment calls and ensure that clients can receive tax help. This opportunity can be done remotely.

Volunteers will need to go through different training courses depending on which position they accept. These training courses will take place in December. Tax preparation opens in February 2024 and goes through April 2024. More information for each position can be found at https://www.uwwp.org/tax-volunteers/.  

Volunteers will need to be familiar with technology and work with people on a regular basis. Tax Counselors will need previous experience doing taxes. At a minimum, volunteers need to do their own taxes without using an outside service. Volunteers get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people get refunds and credits they may not have known about. We understand that these positions can be a large commitment, but your efforts will ensure that members of your community receive the aid they need.  

The Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition and the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provide free, reliable tax preparation assistance to low to moderate-income residents of Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam counties. Many depend on their refund to keep up with their rent, make a necessary car repair, or pay down their credit card. For many of our neighbors, their tax refund might be the biggest check they receive all year.

For more information and to become an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer, go to https://www.uwwp.org/tax-volunteers  or contact Melissa Preudhomme at [email protected] 

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