Today, more than 4 million working families in the U.S. spend more than half of their income for rent or mortgages, leaving them particularly vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure if their income is interrupted.
That’s one of the reasons Middlesex United Way is focused on affordable housing. United Way supports housing programs throughout Middlesex County that help families acquire decent and affordable housing and the skills necessary to maintain it long-term.
This year, for Middlesex United Way Day of Caring, you can get involved, too. During the first two weeks of October, volunteers are invited to participate in Day of Caring projects to improve housing in Middlesex County. Projects may include repairing properties damaged by Hurricane Sandy, working on a Middlesex Habitat for Humanity home, or assisting at a group home for people with disabilities.
Middlesex United Way held its first Day of Caring in 1995 when 34 employees in Middletown volunteered at five nonprofit organizations. Since that time, nearly 4,000 volunteers from local companies and organizations have participated in hundreds of Day of Caring projects in Middlesex County.
Every year, United Way selects one of our focus areas—education, income, health or housing— for Day of Caring so that we can make a real impact on one issue or need. By mobilizing organizations and volunteers this way, we create lasting change that extends beyond a single day.
In past years on Middlesex United Way Day of Caring, volunteers have: Supported education by volunteering in schools throughout Middlesex County; Helped build a Habitat for Humanity home; Installed Born Learning Trails, a set of fun and physical activities for children and parents to do together; Organized food drives at businesses and grocery stores; Assisted seniors with projects around their homes and in senior centers; and hosted Project Homeless Connect, a “one-stop shop” for individuals that are homeless seeking housing, employment, financial assistance, medical and personal care, referrals, and other needs.
Day of Caring is a great chance to help the community in which you live and work, and volunteer projects make a terrific team-building exercise for employees at your workplace or with your civic group.
If you or your group is interested in volunteering on Day of Caring, visit http://www.middlesexunitedway.org/activities/day-caring for more information or to register online. Volunteer projects will take place during the first two weeks of October. It is up to each project site to determine which day suits them best.
Or, if your organization would like to host an enthusiastic group of volunteers to complete a project related to housing, contact Jennifer Sprague at Middlesex United Way at (860) 346-8695.
LIVE UNITED.
