Rooted in Impact: A United Way Coastal and Western Connecticut Podcast

This week on Rooted in Impact, we explore the power of connection and why strong relationships are essential to building thriving communities. Host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Araba Sapara-Grant, Senior Manager for Community Activation at Weave, a national movement dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities by helping people connect, contribute, and build relationships where th...

This week on Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Alice Knapp, CEO of The Ferguson Library, to explore how public libraries are evolving to meet the changing needs of their communities. The conversation highlights the library’s role as a trusted community hub—connecting residents to information, technology, services, and opportunities that foster learning, belonging, and support....

In this episode of Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with to discuss how SEAT is building stronger, more representative nonprofit leadership by preparing residents from Black and Latino communities for board service. Kim shares the importance of diverse voices in decision-making spaces, the impact of board training and leadership development, and how empowering community members to...

 In this episode of Rooted in Impact , host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Sean Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Real Food CT, to explore how community partnerships are expanding access to fresh, locally grown food across Connecticut. Sean shares how Real Food CT’s Food Hub, farm operations, and collaborations with local farmers are helping bridge gaps in the food system while strengthening both...

This week on Rooted in Impact , host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Andrew Ferguson to explore how leadership development and community connection can strengthen a culture of service across Connecticut. Andrew shares the vision behind Redwood Endeavors, including the launch of Redwood Fellows and The Neighborhood—a statewide network designed to connect, support, and celebrate volunteers and civic...

This week on Rooted in Impact , host Ashley Gaudiano interviews State Rep. Corey Paris to discuss leading with purpose in public service, nonprofit work, and advocacy. Representative Paris explains how he weaves equity, opportunity, and community impact into his professional and governmental roles. The conversation delves into persistent systemic barriers affecting families and children, and explo...

This week on Rooted in Impact , host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Lauren Scopaz-Daunais, Senior Vice President of Collective Action, for a conversation about how communities across Connecticut are coming together to improve outcomes for children and families—from early childhood through career. Lauren shares insights from the Connecticut Cradle to Career Coalition, highlighting how cross-sector...

This week on Rooted in Impact , we explore what it truly means to live a life of service — across career, community, and family. Host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Damika Richardson, Associate Group Practice Manager at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Captain in the Air National Guard, for a conversation about leadership rooted in commitment and purpose. From overseeing operations with...

This week on Rooted in Impact , we’re exploring what it truly takes to build strong, resilient communities, especially in moments of uncertainty. Host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Katherine McKeon Curran, President & CEO of CIFC Health, for a conversation on expanding access to quality health care, early learning, and comprehensive family support systems. Together, they examine how community...

This week on Rooted in Impact , we’re digging into the power of community-led advocacy and what it takes to advance educational equity for young Black children. Host Ashley Gaudiano is joined by Maya Donald Spruill of CORNERS Community for a conversation rooted in lived experience, collective action, and systemic change. Together, they explore how inequities show up in education, why organizing fa...

This week on Rooted in Impact , we’re exploring the real pressures of the holiday season — and how women, caregivers, and families can protect their mental and emotional well-being during this busy time of year. Host Ashley Gaudiano is joined by Yolande Ford, Senior Director of Equity & Culture and Licensed Professional Counselor, for a grounded conversation about stress, boundaries, self-care...

In this week's episode of Rooted in Impact , we break down the recent two-day Special Session of the Connecticut General Assembly. What decisions were made in Hartford, and how they affect working families in our region? Joining host Ashley Gaudiano is Tida Infahsaeng, United Way’s Senior Director of Advocacy and Partnerships, to unpack it all. Stay informed and take action — sign up for our...

In this special mailbag episode, host Ashley Gaudiano opens up the inbox to answer your most pressing questions about what it really takes for families to make ends meet in Coastal and Western Connecticut. From the rising cost of basics to the ripple effects of policy changes and the hidden barriers that keep help out of reach. We’re digging into what’s happening on the ground and how United Way C...

Join host Ashley Gaudiano and Daniel Fitzmaurice from United Way of Connecticut as they explore ALICE — the hardworking families earning above the poverty line yet struggling to make ends meet. Learn what ALICE means, why this data matters, and how United Ways across Connecticut are collaborating to support these families and create lasting community impact. 

In our first episode of Rooted in Impact , we sit down with our President & CEO Isabel Almeida, to explore who United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut is, what we stand for, and how we’re creating meaningful change for families in our community.