United Way Helps Disperse September 11 Fund

DANBURY –– The United Way in Connecticut and New York is taking steps to oversee and direct the activities of the September 11 Fund, and to coordinate its disbursement.

 The September 11th Fund already has disbursed more than $16 million in grants to 35 nonprofit agencies that can address the immediate needs caused by the tragedy. Among the organizations that have received grants is Safe Horizons, a not-for-profit agency that is using $7.5 million to assist victims and family members of victims.

To date, more than 8,5594 checks have been distributed to victims’ families, as well as people who lost their homes, jobs, or small businesses, that will cover basic needs such as mortgage payments and utility bills. Other recent grantees include Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, which is providing mental health services to victims of the attack, family members, and relief workers in psychiatric distress.

A grant to the Legal Aid Society will enable the organization to provide immediate legal services to the thousands of lower-income victims and family members to address basic necessities, such as access to bank accounts, and other pressing issues such as housing, child custody, and benefits. One hundred percent of all donations to the September 11th fund will be used to support victims and their families. There will be no administrative costs associated with these grants.

United Way of Northern Fairfield County has met with its partner agencies and other organizations to discuss mid- and long-term issues associated with the disaster. According to a United Way spokesperson, the following agencies are working to ensure that those in the area affected by the attacks are receiving the support they need: Aids Project Greater Danbury; American Red Cross – Western CT Chapter; Amos House; Association of Religious Communities; Catholic Family Services; City of Danbury; Community Action Committee of Danbury; Danbury Children First; DRCCCRA; Danbury Youth Services; Family & Children’s Aid; Family Counseling Center of Newtown; Good Friends; Green Chimneys; Interfaith AIDS Ministry; Interfaith Social Action Corp.; Interlude, Inc; Regional Hospice; Regional YMCA; Salvation Army - Danbury Corp; TBICO; Volunteer Center, Inc; WeCAHR, Inc; Women’s Center of Greater Danbury.

The United Way of New York has announced the formation of a board to oversee and direct the activities of the September 11th Fund, as well as the separate September 11th Telethon Fund supported by the entertainment industry’s “Tribute to Heroes” show. Franklin Thomas, former president of the Ford Foundation, was appointed chairman. Members of the board were also named, drawn from the governing bodies of the two sponsoring institutions and other leaders from the public and private sectors. Joshua Gotbaum, former executive associate director and controller of the US Office of Management and Budget, has been named executive director and CEO.

While The September 11th Fund is receiving the attention of the public eye, United Way of Northern Fairfield County also will be holding workshops and support groups for counselors, mental health workers, and others who are helping locally. This effort is being coordinated by the Family Counseling Center of Newtown. Workshops and public relations efforts are also being planned to promote tolerance in Northern Fairfield County. This will be coordinated by Danbury Children First and involves a number of community groups including the Coalition for a Community United and the Islamic Society of Western Connecticut.

In the wake of the tragedy, United Way donor contributions are being put to use helping children cope with the loss, readying families facing military deployment, and promoting tolerance in a time when racial tensions are heightened. This work, coupled with the ongoing work of building stronger communities, neighborhoods, families, and individuals year-round, is at the heart of the United Way of Northern Fairfield County’s mission of being a leader in bringing together the resources to build a better, stronger and more caring community.

This week President Bush made a public announcement for the United Way in which he said the agency is “playing a leading role in helping bind up the nation’s wounds.”

“I encourage all Americans to support their local United Way, to help build – and rebuild – communities we can be proud of,” the President said.