The Way Forward: United Way of Greater Waterbury's Podcast

Send us Fan Mail The Way Forward: Meet our Volunteer of the Year Honorees Join us in the studio for a brief conversation with United Way Senior Manager of Community Engagement & Volunteerism Ari Motta, and United Way Corporate Engagement Manager Logan Smith, as they share insights on this years Volunteer of the Year honorees Meagan Anthony (Jaci Carroll Saffing) and Maddie Hicks (Albert Bros.,...

Send us Fan Mail You may know United Way of Greater Waterbury through our vital work investing in programs and initiatives to drive impact in our 3 impact areas. But what gets less attention is our public advocacy work.  Hot off United Way of Greater Waterbury Chief Impact Officer Jered Bruzas' visit to Washington DC where he joined colleagues from across the United Way national network for A...

Send us Fan Mail In this 20th episode of The Way Forward, learn more about United Way of Greater Waterbury’s investment in an Employment Support Program at Abilities Without Boundaries in Cheshire. Join guest host Glenn McCabe and United Way Director of Community Impact Kay Mello as they discuss how this program fits into United Way’s strategy surrounding Financial Stability, followed by insights...

Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the St. Vincent DePaul Merriman Cullinary Job Training Program as we go behind the scenes at Fascia's Chocolates in Waterbury where we interview graduates of this program that United Way of Greater Waterbury funds student scholarships for.  Hear Abi and Fatiha's stories and how this program is making a difference.  You'll also meet Chef Frank, curre...

Send us Fan Mail The Way Forward: Day of Action to Stock the Pantry 2025 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of our annual food drive Stock the Pantry.   How did this initiative come about? What is the food resource committee? What is the real need?  How can I get involved? United Way’s Jered Bruzas, Renee Young, and Glenn McCabe stopped by to answer these questions and more with Chris Fortier at WATR...

Send us Fan Mail We have a special episode for you today, as we listen in on the insights and reflections of United Way of Greater Waterbury President and Chief Professional Officer Kristen Jacoby as she discusses her 25 years of service with Christopher Fortier of WATR.   This episode brought to you by: United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Plus Sponsor IVES Bank. Learn more at IVESBank.com Su...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, WATR 1320am host Chris Fortier interviews United Way of Greater Waterbury Director of Community Impact Kay Mello, VITA Program Manager at Advancing Connecticut Together  Nick Brundage on the 2025 updates of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program which helps lower income families maximize their returns and EITC's through FREE IRS certified voluntee...

Send us Fan Mail Part 1: For the past several months, we have been capturing powerful perspectives of people across the region as part of the Help Every Voice Be Heard campaign. For the first time here, we have combined these stories to provide deeper and richer insights into the work you help make possible through your support of United Way.  People being helped, in need of help, and the partners...

Send us Fan Mail Part 2: For the past several months, we have been capturing powerful perspectives of people across the region as part of the Help Every Voice Be Heard campaign. For the first time here, we have combined these stories to provide deeper and richer insights into the work you help make possible through your support of United Way.  People being helped, in need of help, and the partners...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, WATR 1320am host Chris Fortier interviews United Way of Greater Waterbury Director of Community Impact Kay Mello,  VITA Program Manager at CT Association for Human Services Nick Brundage, and United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls Executive Director Lisa Shappy on the benefits of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program which helps those families making $63...

Send us Fan Mail Join Tom Chute of WATR 1320am in this episode as he interviews your 2022/23 Campaign Chair Dr. Justin Lundbye, President/CEO of Waterbury HEALTH and United Way's Chief Development Officer Tomeka Cole!  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The Way Forward: Not your average Job Readiness Bootcamp In this episode, we went out in the field to capture the stories and people behind a recent Job Readiness Boot Camp.  But not just any Job Readiness Boot Camp. This Boot Camp was targeted toward individuals who are very motivated to change their lives through meaningful employment, leave their past behind, and find a way for...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the final episode in a 3-part series on education we’re calling Short-Cuts.  Shorter podcasts that together will provide deeper insights into a specific area. In this episode, host Scott Largay visits with Superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools and United Way Board Member Dr. Verna D. Ruffin to learn more about how United Way is making a difference in the area of Ed...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the 2nd episode in a 3-part series on education we’re calling Short-Cuts.  Shorter podcasts that together will provide deeper insights into a specific area. In this episode, we’ll be visiting with the Executive Director of Waterbury Bridge to Success, Althea Brooks,  to learn how United Way was instrumental in their formation and in their continuing success.  This episo...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the first in a 3-part series on education we’re calling Short-Cuts.  Shorter podcasts that together will provide deeper insights into a specific area. In our first episode, we’ll be visiting with United Way’s Vice President of Community Impact, Jason Martinez to learn more about why United Way is focused on this critical area and how does it fit into the bigger picture....

Send us Fan Mail Join Tom Chute of WATR 1320am in this episode as he interviews 2021-2022 Campaign Chair, Dr. Steven E. Schneider, president of Saint Mary's Hospital and Kristen Jacoby, president of United Way of Greater Waterbury as they share more about the upcoming first ever outdoor kickoff September 9th and the needs of the upcoming campaign! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Join Tom Chute of WATR 1320am as he interviews Stock the Pantry 2021 Co-Chair Jennifer Carbonaro of Webster Bank and United Way of Greater Waterbury's Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Jessica Carlino as they share what's new with this year's Stock the Pantry effort!  Learn more about both the in-person drop off on June 18th and the fun online virtual option in this...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Scott Largay shares a conversation Karen Mello, Director of Community Impact with United Way and Jenny Vongxay, VITA Program Coordinator at CT Association for Human Services and VITA Site Coordinator for Bethlehem Library had with Tom Chute of WATR on how this year’s VITA effort is pivoting in the time of COVID. In addition, we went on location to hear from R...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Scott Largay shares an insightful conversation by Tom Chute of WATR 1320am with Marya DiPerna of Post University and Jennifer Carbonaro of Webster Bank, co-chairs of United Way’s Stock the Pantry food drive and how this year’s effort is pivoting to deliver success in the current environment. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Scott Largay shares an insightful conversation by Tom Chute of WATR 1320am with Kristen Jacoby, President and CPO of United Way of Greater Waterbury, and Julie Loughran, President and CEO of the Connecticut Community Foundation on how they’ve joined forces to respond to the COVID-19 crisis with a new fund to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organiz...

Send us Fan Mail The Independence Center (IC), operated by United Way of Greater Waterbury partner agency Mental Health Connecticut, is located off The Green in Waterbury. The work of the IC is aligned under United Way’s Basic Needs Impact Area – in the Health Care strand –  as a mental health support program. In this episode, host Scott Largay introduces you to Joseph, who has benefited from the...

Send us Fan Mail Host Scott Largay takes you inside the work of United Way in this interview with United Way’s Community Impact Manager Renee Young.  She describes how youth in the new UPSTARTERS program are helping to address homelessness. Next, Marianne Malanaphy, LMSW of United Way partner agency Waterbury Youth Services sheds light on the challenges of an invisible population, youth who are ho...