July 23, 2019 | Greenwich Time

REENWICH — Before closing out the fiscal year, the Greenwich United Way issued its second round of Community Impact Grants to help local health, education and self-sufficiency programs.

This second round of $330,000 in grants brought the total for 2018-19 to $911,000, which was distributed to 20 agencies around town.

All of the groups that received support fit the “find it, fund it, fix it” mission of Greenwich United Way, CEO David Rabin said. First, a need is identified, then the United Way gives support to the program, which has the ultimate goal of addressing that need. Grants went to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich for its after-school program, the Supermarketing for Seniors program at Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, the preschool at Family Centers, the 24-hour helpline at Kids in Crisis, the Pacific House homeless shelter in Stamford and many more.

And now the Greenwich United Way is focusing on the new fiscal year and getting support from every source it can tap to fund programs for people of all ages who are in need.

“The more we raise, the more we can give to the community,” Rabin said.

A grants committee set up by the United Way’s board recommends which organizations should get funding, which the board then votes on.

“A high-quality application with details about the program and how it will impact the priority area the application falls under, like health, education or creating more self-sufficiency,” Rabin said. “We want to know how this is going to help Greenwich community. ... I’d say about 95 percent of our funding stays in Greenwich.”

A grant will support Liberation Programs’ twice-monthly meetings at the YMCA throughout the school year by helping to pay for two licensed facilitators trained in family therapy, child development and/or vocational certification.

He also praised a program in which Abilis helps its clients gain life skills and training in the workplace. That allows the clients, who have development delays, to transition from that program into competitive employment opportunities.

“We like to see new, innovative programming,” Rabin said. “When we see something different, that’s going to interest us like it would any grantor.”

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July 15, 2019 | Greenwich Free Press

Abilis, the non-profit organization that provides services and supports for more than 700 individuals of all ages and abilities with special needs and their families, in conjunction with its Competitive Employment Program, is offering a special treat this summer with the sale of Grahamberries. Grahamberries are organic blueberries sold at the Abilis Gardens & Gifts store, at Greenwich Town Hall, the Greenwich YWCA and YMCA, and other locations throughout town.Other Abilis programs in Stamford, Wilton and Westport will also participate in selling the blueberries and they can be ordered for delivery by calling Abilis at (203) 531-1880 ext. 101.

Grahamberries is a unique partnership with an organic blueberry farm in upstate New York owned by Peter and Philippa Orzulak. Peter and Philippa’s son Graham, 28, who as an infant was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, created Grahamberries to help provide employment for their son and others with special needs.

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July 13, 2019 | Greenwich Free Press

More than 100 local students and members of Abilis attend the second annual Together We Shine red carpet event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. The event was put on by the Greenwich Junior United Way  in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich and the Greenwich YWCA for Abilis.

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