Thanksgiving is a time when many families come together and enjoy a large meal. But not everyone has that option.
On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont held a press conference, along with other lawmakers, to talk about the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s Rapid Response Fund.
“A meal like that is only possible if you have an actual home to gather in,” said Rep. Kate Farrar (D, West Hartford). “Too many Connecticut residents, too many of our kids, our families and our seniors, they find themselves this Thanksgiving without a home.”
United Way announced the organization will be partnering with municipalities to distribute $100,000 to residents who are homeless or are at risk of losing their homes. This is the second year this program is running, according to Eric Harrison, the president of United Way.
United Way is an organization that fights poverty in central and northeast Connecticut by working with towns, cities, corporations and volunteers to put together programs that aim to help struggling families. The Rapid Response Fund is one of these programs.
Nonprofits such as United Way play an important role in providing housing security, according to Lamont.
“The not-for-profits hit the ground, they’re right there, providing immediate support for people most when they need it,” Lamont said. “Sometimes the government is still revving up their engines and there is United Way.”
“Homelessness is on the rise for the third consecutive year and nearly 40% of families are struggling to make ends meet in central and northeastern Connecticut,” said Harrison.
One night in January, there were 3,410 homeless people in the state—13% more than last year, according to Nutmeg Consulting’s 2024 State of Connecticut Annual Point-In-Time Count of Individuals and Families Experiencing Homelessness. According to that report, one in five homeless individuals are children.
“These aren’t just numbers,” Farrar said. “These are thousands of our Connecticut neighbors, and it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Cassandra Gates was a beneficiary of the fund and spoke about her experience at the event. In February, there was a fire in Gates’ house—the second one in seven months, she said. Her son and she lost everything: clothes, food and transportation. They had no family in the area to rely on, and they had nowhere to go. As a result, she says, her son started struggling with mental health.
Vernon social services officials connected her to the Rapid Response Fund. It provided her with money to replace clothing, buy food and pay for transportation.
“I am very grateful for United Way’s assistance and the rapid response fund. I was able to focus on my family and my son’s mental health. It changed my life,” Gates said. “I then wanted to pay it forward. I was able to gain employment after this to help other families working for 211 to be able to get the assistance that they need through their housing crises and basic needs.”
Last year, the Rapid Response Fund helped 152 residents in central and northeast Connecticut, according to Harrison.
Eight of those residents lived in West Hartford, and another five residents in Newington, among other people, according to Farrar, who represents those areas.
“This funding can make such a life changing difference in the lives of family members,” said Farrar. “You can say that these aren’t large numbers, but as you heard from Cassandra, I think we can agree that every single individual that may receive funds from the rapid response fund can make a tremendous difference.”
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