Statewide volunteerism

Former state Rep. Deborah Heinrich is the new nonprofit liaison to the governor, a position created this year to advocate for nonprofit agencies. Gov. Dannel Malloy, in creating the new position, noted that he would look for sacrifice from everyone but would not cut the safety net of services provided by the nonprofit community.On Monday, March 14, the CPO Council of the Connecticut United Way went to Hartford to meet with Ms. Heinrich to talk about how she sees her new role and how the United Way can help be a part of the solution. She has four major goals she will hope to accomplish in her position: 1) to promote nonprofit networking and exchange; 2) to determine what the state government can do so that nonprofits can perform their work as effectively as possible; 3) to encourage best practices, including innovative collaborations among nonprofits; and 4) to create a relationship between state government and philanthropy.Lofty goals indeed!Heinrich requested the help of United Way to convene people in our communities to begin to discuss strategies for addressing the pressing needs, but to overcome the siloing of services — in other words, finding better ways agencies can work more collaboratively and efficiently so as to provide more services to the people of the region. At the meeting, we described our work in convening community leaders to address the community needs — health, education, homelessness, food, etc. United Ways are very good at bringing people together — businesses, nonprofits, community leaders — to work toward the goal of advancing the common good.u u uAs a result of the meeting, United Way representatives committed their time and energy to help Ms. Heinrich in her outreach efforts to communities across the state. To do this, we will be working with local communities on a needs assessment. We might consider forming advisory councils for each town in the Northwest Connecticut United Way territory to be sure we are addressing those needs once they are determined and to assure each resident of each town that they are being heard.United Way of Northwest Connecticut funds 24 agencies in the 16 towns and 25 communities in the Northwest Corner of the state — including Lake-ville and Salisbury. More than 58,000 of your local friends and neighbors are touched by the services of these agencies. With the exception of $8,900 annually, which goes to United Way Worldwide, all the money raised here stays here.National Volunteer Week is April 10 through 16 this year. Be sure to commemorate it.Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Stephanie Barksdale is executive director of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut. Email her at Stephanie.uw.nwct@snet.net.