Message to the Community

A change of address postcard usually indicates that the senders are moving to a new phase of their lives.  Our move to the Olneyville section of Providence this year marks the next phase of our life as we strive to become an even more relevant and important community organization. 

UWRI President and CEO Tony Maione

Our overarching goal is to create opportunities for people to do better for themselves and their families. For when any one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

We are already making great progress towards meeting that goal through initiatives that have a real impact on Rhode Islanders.

• The United Way 2-1-1 hotline is a centralized and easy to reach source of social service information. In its first year, 2-1-1 answered more than 100,000 calls.
• Funds from the $50 million affordable housing bond passed in November 2006 -- -- with the support of United Way -- are helping to build decent and safe homes and apartments across the State.
• The Earned Income Tax Credit initiative has returned millions of dollars to hardworking Rhode Islanders. This project’s impact has grown by more than 400% over the last three years.
• Our job training programs – including the nationally recognized Skill Up initiative – are improving opportunities for low skilled Rhode Islanders to make a better life for themselves and their families. 
• The BrightStars quality rating and improvement system to improve the care and education of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children is being field tested and is scheduled to be implemented Statewide beginning in 2009. 
•  The June relocation of our headquarters to the West End of Providence is a concrete example of our commitment to having impact in the community. We hope to learn from our new neighbors how we can better serve all the people of Rhode Island. 

Our new call to action, LIVE UNITED, will move us to use our unique position at the crossroads of business, social service and government to reshape the social service system -- as resources continue to be limited -- to better serve people. 

To LIVE UNITED means to answer the call, long revered in our state and country: to come to the table to see what you can give and not what you can get. The issues we face are significant and they demand that we work, even sacrifice for the greater good of our community. Now more than ever we must be willing to give, advocate and volunteer. These words bring new meaning to our work and can deepen and expand our relationships as United Way plays a leadership role in bringing people and organizations together to solve social problems and advance the common good in what is sure to be the most challenging of times. 

As always, I am grateful for the support we receive from our donors, volunteers and tireless staff. Transforming lives is an ambitious agenda, but together we can make it a reality. 

Sincerely,
Tony