On October 19, United Way will have its annual fall reading day in support of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. Volunteers will flood into schools, libraries, and community centers across the country to make kids’ days by reading aloud from the same book. But the point of this event is not just to enjoy a book together (although this year’s book looks adorable, check it out here). It’s also to bring attention to the importance of early childhood literacy and quality education.

Last week was suicide prevention week, and I didn’t realize until it was almost over. I’m used to being at school and seeing the awareness events put on by Active Minds, but this year there was nothing to remind me until I saw a tweet from Connecticut 2-1-1. There’s a decent amount of conversation around mental health resources on college campuses, but out in the “real world” it’s something that’s easy to forget. This is a shame, because suicide rates are actually highest among middle-aged people.

Something you should know about me: I’m a geek. I love statistics, and I think a little extra research can make a difference in just about anything. So when I was invited to visit the Groton Mobile Food Pantry yesterday, I did some brief homework on food insecurity first. Here’s what I learned:

A 2014 survey of food pantry and soup kitchen clients in Connecticut found that in the past 12 months,

-          73% of them were forced to choose between food and utilities

-          68% had to choose between food and medical care, and

Yesterday was one of the most eventful and eye-opening days I’ve had here at UWSECT. I went on an Agency Bus Tour, along with some employees from Foxwoods and Zachry Nuclear Engineering. I was a little nervous before the tour because I’ve volunteered in some pretty disorganized and inefficient nonprofits, and, to be honest, I was worried that I might be disappointed by the agencies we work so hard to support (which is really the point of everything we do).

 I was completely wrong.

This week, the country continues to watch in distress as the people of Texas and Louisiana struggle with the danger and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. We’ve all seen the images- highways washed out, rescue boats searching through neighborhoods, nursing home residents waiting patiently for assistance as the water rises around them. It’s easy to feel helpless when you consider a natural disaster of this magnitude, and it can be frustrating to be so geographically far from the issue. How are you and I supposed to make a difference thousands of miles away here in Connecticut?

The beginning of fall is a time of transitions- a new school year for kids, a different sleep schedule as the days shorten, a change of wardrobe as the weather cools. I know that for many of my friends, these next few weeks are a whirlwind of relocating to cities, moving into new apartments, starting graduate programs, interviewing for jobs, and trying to make a life on their own. And while transitions can be exciting, they can also be anxiety-inducing.

In my first few weeks here I kept hearing people talk about ‘the food center’ but I really didn’t understand what they were referring to or how it worked- to me it was just a vague location that people disappeared to sometimes. Then last week I went on a tour of the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, and I finally understood what all the fuss is about (spoiler alert: it’s a really cool place).

Hey there! My name is Caitlin and I just started at United Way of Southeastern Connecticut last week as a Loaned Employee sponsored by Mohegan Sun. So far, I’ve had a great time learning about the impact of United Way in our community and getting to know the enthusiastic and friendly staff! The office has been busy with all sorts of meetings, events, and visitors, but there’s one project that has really been on my mind.

As I continue my work here at United Way, I have realized how important having a strong support system is. I used to believe support only made a difference if it was monetary. However, that is not the case. In fact, there are many ways an individual can support a cause, an operation, an organization, or even a person. Here are my top five ways to easily support United Way of Southeastern Connecticut:

Whether you are finishing up a semester in college, beginning a new career, or waiting for the new school year to start, you can become a volunteer this summer. Here are my top five reasons why volunteering this summer is well worth your time.