OUR APPROACH
WHAT WE DO
CONVENE. COLLABORATE. INVEST
United Way of Greater Newark convenes with local government, funders, foundations, and corporations. We invest in small businesses, local nonprofit organizations, children and families, We purposefully collaborate with social service providers, public health sectors and local food pantries to assist our communities.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
The struggles of those living in the communities within our footprint are interconnected, and we’re focused on addressing them holistically. Financial instability has a substantiated impact on the health and longevity of low-income individuals and can negatively effect the long-term education success of children and adults. Improved financial well-being leads to stronger, healthier households. A healthier household—economically and physically—directly correlates to reduced absenteeism and higher graduation rates. When the root causes of these problems are addressed as opposed to simply the end result of poverty, we can work to prevent recidivism and start to see long term success among these populations.
United Way of Greater Newark exists to improve the lives of individuals, children and families within our footprint to strengthen the collective community. Through programs and service initiatives we address the root causes of community concerns.
EDUCATION
United Way of Greater Newark (UWGN) is committed to making sure our young people are engaged in positive youth development opportunities in schools and the community. We promote the importance of education through several programs: Celebrity Read, My Very Own Library and Newark Thrives!. UWGN increases access to quality educational resources and services for youth and families by convening and collaborating with key educational stakeholders and investing in out-of-school time youth program providers.
Key Impact Initiatives: Celebrity Read, My Very Own Library, Newark Thrives!
Financial stability
Our organization serves as a backbone agency guiding the Newark Asset Building Coalition (NABC). Together with our partners, we empower residents of Greater Newark to forge the pathway to financial stability by streamlining key financial services and programs, such as the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), and by providing wrap-around opportunities for debt alleviation, wealth building and financial growth. We also administer critical emergency assistance in times of need, like the COVID-19 Small Business Grants program for economic relief.
Key Impact Initiatives: VITA, FAFSA challenge, NABC
HEALTH
United Way of Greater Newark seeks to disrupt the cycle of poverty by addressing the social determinants of health. To that end, UWGN is a partner and investor of Believe in a Healthy Newark. Through this partnership, UWGN supports the work of addressing adverse childhood experiences, healthy homes, food insecurity and obesity. UWGN also supports local efforts to address the social determinants of health impacted by COVID-19 throughout our footprint.
Key Impact initiatives: Food and Fitness, Healthy Homes and Adverse Childhood Experiences.
