South Burlington, VT: United Way of Northwest Vermont (UWNWVT), an organization dedicated to improving lives in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, has officially launched its 2023 Community Campaign with the theme: United in Purpose.  

United Way is unique because it exists at the intersection of nonprofits, businesses, government, and community. Our work is powered by local people, organizations, and businesses that are committed to supporting the strength, vitality and resiliency of our community. Together, we are United in Purpose.  

“The challenges we face as a community are overlapping and interconnected. From housing and food insecurity to mental health and substance misuse challenges to workforce issues – all of us are impacted by these issues and each of us must do our part to make things better for ourselves and for our family, friends, and neighbors,” says UWNWVT CEO Jesse Bridges. 

 Every year, UWNWVT mobilizes the caring power of our community and raises resources to support local solutions. In 2023, UWNWVT is investing $6.5 million in local organizations, strategic initiatives, and our own programs to address five key priorities: Promoting Mental Health, Supporting Families, Meeting Basic Needs, Reducing Substance Misuse, and Fostering Financial Stability. Check out UWNWVT’s 2023 Impact Report for local stories and to learn how we are investing in our community.  

 Community giving via workplace campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations of all sizes makes the work possible. Workplace campaigns give employees the opportunity to easily donate through payroll deduction. For every $1 employees donate, United Way invests $3 back into the community. 

Workplace campaigns help employers and employees engage in community needs and concerns while strengthening their workplace culture through collaboration and camaraderie.  

“It’s all about community. It’s about feeling connected. A workplace campaign brings me full circle. It’s my way to give back both professionally and personally to the community that I live, work, and play in,” said Sally McKenzie, Principal at Hickok and Boardman Financial Planning, has been participating in Hickok and Boardman United Way workplace campaigns for 24 years. 

Each year, McKenzie said, H&B employees look forward to coming up with fun and creative ways to engage their coworkers in the campaign. H&B’s 2023 workplace campaign, for example, had a Saturday Night Live theme and kicked off at the Vermont Comedy Club with comedic performances and SNL-style skits. At the same time, the event focused on the serious issue of mental health with an update from United Way’s Mental Health Initiative on innovative projects like expanding access to Mental Health First Aid and supporting mobile therapy “pods” in schools, private spaces for students to meet with mental health counselors.  

“United Way is a powerful community engagement partner for local businesses because our networks and partnerships place us at the center of the issues our community cares about,” said UWNWVT CEO Jesse Bridges. 

 “Part of what I love about United Way is it helps me understand what I don’t see. It helps me understand the hidden food insecurity, the hidden housing insecurity. The problems that people face with lacking early education for their kids. All of the challenges we face in our community – United Way is there,” said Larry Rudiger, a senior lecturer in the University of Vermont’s psychological science department, has been donating through UVM’s workplace campaign since he was a graduate student. “I give to United Way because I know it will make a difference and make people’s lives better.”

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To learn more about United Way Workplace Campaigns contact Cari Kelley at 802-861-7851 or cari@unitedwaynwvt.org, or go to: https://unitedwaynwvt.org/give-at-work.  

 If you’d like to learn about more ways to give in support of United Way’s 2023 Community Campaign, contact Ayeshah Raftery at 802-861-7831 or ayeshah@unitedwaynwvt.org. 

 About United Way of Northwest Vermont
United Way of Northwest Vermont (UWNWVT) mobilizes our community to do the work that no single organization can do alone. We proudly serve Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties of Vermont. United Way convenes advocates, organizations and institutions to address the community’s most pressing issues. Real change is possible when nonprofit, public, and private sectors work together. For more information or to get involved, visit unitedwaynwvt.org.