September
2019
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Connecticut Veterans Stand Down 2019 
A Message from Richard Porth          
President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut

On Friday, September 20, 2019 from 8:00 AM- 2:00 PM more than 30 government agencies and social service organizations will take part in CT Veterans Stand Down. The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs and will take place at their main office at 287 West Street in Rocky Hill.  Free transportation to this event is available. 

Click HERE to view the transportation schedule and click HERE to download an informational flyer.

Military veterans who attend the event will receive:
  • Workforce assistance
  • Employment guidance
  • Legal assistance
  • Motor vehicle assistance
  • Housing referrals,
  • State and VA benefits information,
  • Medical, dental and mental health screenings
There are more than 200,000 veterans in Connecticut who are eligible to participate in Stand Down 2019. Attendees must present proof of veteran status/military service or be required to sign a statement attesting to their military service.

2-1-1 Connecticut can help veterans get connected with programs and services and maintains a Resource Directory for Connecticut Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves and a number of elibrary papers focused on resources and information for veterans and those actively serving. Click HERE for more information or dial 2-1-1 to speak with a 2-1-1 Contact Specialist.  Thank you for your service!


Text to 9-1-1 is Available in Connecticut 

If you are in emergency situation and it is unsafe to speak or you have an injury or disability that prevents you from speaking, use your mobile phone to send a text message to 9-1-1.

How does text to 9-1-1 work?
  1. Enter the numbers 911 in the "To" field of your cellphone.
  2. Text the exact location of the emergency.
  3. Briefly describe what kind of help you need.
  4. Push the "Send" button.
  5. Respond to any questions. 
  6. Follow instructions.
  7. Don't text and drive. Pull over when it's safe. 
For more information, visit www.text911ct.org  or click the links below to download a program flyer or community awareness poster. 
Healthy Food Donation List

Food pantries strive to provide a variety of healthy food choices for the individuals they serve. Some Connecticut families rely on food pantries as a main source of food. And some may have health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure that require special diets. 

When making generous donations to food pantries in your community, consider donating items off of the Healthy Food Donation List. This list is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and offers healthier options to donate that will meet the health needs of those who rely on food pantries. 

Food pantry clients often face choosing between food, medicine, and other expenses. Donating items off of the Health Food Donation List can help ensure that those who rely on food panties have access to healthy food. Click below to download the Healthy Food Donation list in English or Spanish.
The 2-1-1 Connecticut database of health and human services resources contains almost 400 food pantries. Visit www.211ct.org and search " Food Pantries" to locate a food pantry in your community. 

National Voter Registration Day is September 24th

National Voter Registration Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness of voter registration opportunities with the goal of encouraging as many eligible voters as possible to register. National Voter Registration Day is held on the fourth Tuesday of September every year and is supported by election officials from both sides of the aisle.

In Connecticut, registering to vote is easy and can be done online in just minutes. 

  • Register to vote in Connecticut
  • Change your name and/or address on your current registration record
  • Enroll in a political party or change party enrollment
Every year, millions of eligible voters are unable to cast a ballot because of a missed registration deadline, outdated registration information, or other problems with their voter registration. Last presidential election 60 million people - or one in four eligible voters in the country - were unregistered. Since 2012, nearly 2.5 million voters have registered or updated their registration as a result of National Voter Registration Day.  To learn more, visit nationalvoterregistrationday.org. 

Have you noticed 2-1-1 CT's new look? Visit  www.211ct.org to check out our new homepage and 2-1-1 logo!
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The mission of United Way of Connecticut is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services.