The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Volunteers sought to make community impact
‘A very powerful call to serve’
MIDDLETOWN — One of my favorite parts of my job as president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way is getting to know the people who make our organization run, the volunteers who dedicate their free time to making life better for people in Middlesex County.
This week, I’d like to share a little bit more about Victoria Iaccarino Burse. Victoria works in Wesleyan University’s development department. She is a member of our Community Impact Council, a group of qualified volunteers who serve as a responsible party for making important funding decisions.
When asked about her volunteerism, Victoria explained that “my lifelong personal philosophy has always been ‘service above self,’ a trait instilled in me since early childhood by my parents. By volunteering with the United Way, I am able to donate my time, talents and fortés to others. When you selflessly think about what your talents can do for others, it is a very powerful call to serve.”
She has volunteered with the Middlesex United Way for two years, and, prior to that, at a United Way in another state. She is chairperson of the Health & Wellness Impact Team.
In that role, Victoria ensures “that individuals and families are healthy and safe as they access services and resources from our partners for their behavioral, physical and oral health needs in order to manage their daily living activities,” she said.
“My career has been within the mental health field for almost two decades, so this particular area means a great deal to me as we review funding requests for partners who assist with these services.”
She also serves on the Middlesex United Way Community Impact Council.
“It is a diverse group of people, from chairs of other impact teams to community leaders. This group must remove their own impact team ‘hat,’ work cohesively, and recommend final funding for all impact teams,” she concluded.
There are many ways to give to the Middlesex United Way, and I encourage you to seek them out and become involved.
United Way funding is provided to the most capable and deserving locally based not-for-profit agencies that provide health and human services to the people of Middlesex County, and ensure they meet identified critical community needs and priorities.
All United Way funding decisions are made by volunteers who serve on our Community Impact Teams. These volunteers analyze budgets, program efficiency and effectiveness.
Funding decisions are based on dollars available, community need and on the ability of the applicant to meet that need. Each year, all services, programs and town-based projects that are currently funded by United Way are reviewed.
These teams always could use additional help. Volunteers often describe the work as rewarding and meaningful. They are also a great opportunity to learn about how nonprofits operate.
If you would like to learn more about joining or volunteering opportunities in your community, please contact Christina Heckart at christina.heckart @middlesexunitedway.org.