Valley United Way to hold annual meeting, present Charles H. Flynn Award

Dear Friends, Valley United Way warmly invites you to join us for our Annual Meeting, an evening dedicated to celebrating the partners, donors, and volunteers who make our work possible. Each year, more than 200 business and community leaders come together for this special event—an opportunity to reflect on our collective impact and recognize those who help strengthen our Valley. Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM Courtyard by Marriott, Shelton During the evening, we will proudly present the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award to Ramon Peralta, a visionary entrepreneur, community leader, and mentor. As Founder and Creative Director of Peralta Design, Ramon has built a mission-driven agency specializing in branding and digital strategy, while also dedicating his time to mentoring youth and supporting nonprofit initiatives across our region. His commitment to creativity, entrepreneurship, and community impact embodies the spirit of this award. We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring evening of connection, gratitude, and celebration. Purchase your tickets here!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Carlene at Carlene.Williams@valleyunitedway.org. We look forward to celebrating with you. Warm regards, Joy DeMarchis Board Chair Valley United Way

City of Derby asks for donations for families displaced by fire Sunday

Dear Residents,

The City of Derby would like to provide an update regarding the fire at 23 Derby Avenue on Sunday, Feb. 8, which resulted in several families being displaced from their homes.

In response, the City has been working closely with St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and Thrift Shop of Derby, which immediately assisted the affected families by providing access to food, clothing, and other essential items. St. Vincent de Paul will continue to support these families as they address their ongoing needs.

Additionally, the City has coordinated with Valley United Way to establish a secure mechanism for financial donations. Through the generosity of Valley United Way, 100% of all funds donated through this effort will be distributed directly to the displaced families.

Residents wishing to make a financial contribution may do so at the following link:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/valley-united-way/united-with-our-neighbors-after-the-derby-fire

While immediate needs for clothing and household items are currently being met, continued support is critical in the weeks ahead. The City encourages residents to consider donating to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and Thrift Shop or providing financial support to Valley United Way, both of which play an essential role in assisting individuals and families throughout Derby and the greater Valley region.

Call to Action:
The City respectfully requests the community’s assistance in supporting the families affected by the 23 Derby Avenue fire. Donations of any amount are appreciated and will help ensure these families receive the support they need during their recovery.

Thank you for your continued compassion and commitment to our community. Together, we remain Derby Strong.

Sincerely,

The City of Derby

This message was shared from Town Clerk Marc J. Garofalo.

 

Valley United Way shares local food support locations

 

Valley United Way to kick off campaign at Jones Winery in Shelton

 

Corporate Volunteer Council in Shelton to host 'Fill-The-Bus' with school supplies

Save the date: Valley United Way to honor 2 with Charles H. Flynn Award

 

Valley United Way to kick off campaign at White Hills Distillery in Shelton

 

Valley United Way to create virtual Harvest House Oct. 24-25

 

Valley United Way to host annual campaign kick-off in Oxford

OXFORD - Valley United Way Board Chair Karen Stockla and Mike Pacowta, President and CPO invite you to VUW's 2023-24 Annual Campaign Kick-Off.

It will be held on the TRQW Rooftop Terrace at the Residences at Quarry Walk from 4:30-6 p.m. Sept. 14. 

Join us with our work of Leading and Lifting the Valley!

Shared from the VUW Facebook page.

Valley United Way asks community to support local food banks

Did you know? We have five food banks in our region and they are open to accepting donations of food and dollars all year long. 

Here's the list with locations:

https://valleyunitedway.org/need-help/food-banks/

This is shared from the Valley United Way Facebook page.

Valley United Way names Pacowta President, Chief Professional Officer

Michael E. Pacowta

The Valley United Way board of directors today announced that Michael E. Pacowta has been named President and Chief Professional Officer. 

Pacowta brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for positive change within the organization’s five-town region of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

He succeeds Interim President and Chief Executive Officer David Kennedy, who retired on Jan. 9.
“The board of directors is thrilled that Mike will lead VUW. He will focus on building fundraising momentum to strengthen our partner agency’s impact within the community,” said board chair, Karen Stockla. “Mike first joined as Area Director in August 2022 and has consistently displayed the qualifications and expertise needed to drive the organization towards providing lasting change for the Valley.”
Stockla added, “While we are excited about this new chapter of growth for VUW, the Board is grateful for David Kennedy’s leadership and guidance during the past three years. This was especially true during the pandemic, where he was instrumental in raising funds as part of the Valley Community Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund, which supported community members who were severely impacted by Covid-19.”
Pacowta said, “I am excited to lead VUW by working with our generous donors, corporate and agency partners, volunteers, staff, board of directors, and community members to better understand and address the many challenges within the Valley. I believe strongly in the work that our organization carries out and am certain that through our collaboration, we will be successful in delivering greater investment to improve the lives of those most in need.”

Pacowta has a long-established presence in the Valley, serving as President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce from 1991-94, and as Mayor of Shelton from 1985-91.
He also served for several years as President of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and, immediately before joining VUW, held the position of Employment Specialist with TheWorkplace, Inc.

For more information about the Valley United Way, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or contact  Pacowta, President and Chief Professional Officer, at 203-538-6349.

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Ansonia residents urged to take part in community gardening

Are you aware of "Valley GYO (Grow Your Own) Community Gardens"? 

In 2020, Valley United Way asked Massaro Community Farm of Woodbridge, CT to manage the 12 Grow Your Own (GYO) community gardens installed by them. 

Gardens are located in all five towns across the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

In Ansonia, there are four gardens located at the following locations:

Gatison Park (4 4th St.) , Pine Lot Fields (28 Howard Ave.), Salvation Army (26 Lester St)., and Beaver Brook (96 Central St.). 

These gardens are free to you. Whether you're a new gardener or one with many of years experience, we invite you to be part of this neighborhood project. 

Plant, water, weed, and harvest vegetables for your family or for the nearest food pantry. 

You can also contact the farm office with questions: 203- 736-8618.

So start thinking of next season and call today to secure your spot to grow your own!

All materials and tools provided by Massaro Community Farm.

This is shared form the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Valley Council to hold annual awards meeting Dec. 7 via Zoom

 

Valley United Way announces adoption of inclusion statement

Valley United Way is pleased to announce that its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statement is prominently displayed on the Valley United Way website, and is the first step in ensuring that its systems, policies and practices are more equitable for all within the Valley community.   

 

Through its DEI statement, Valley United Way affirms that it is “committed to taking positive action to fight structural racism and ethnic discrimination; holding ourselves and our community partners accountable; advocating for social justice; elevating community voice; engaging in further training to address our biases; and, practicing the change we seek to realize with a vision of a more equitable future for all.”

“The DEI statement is just the beginning of Valley United Way’s journey focusing on racial equity,” said Joy DeMarchis, Valley United Way Board Member and Chairperson of the DEI Committee that developed the statement. “We are actively working on developing training modules that will be required to be completed on an annual basis by board members, volunteers and staff. Through this training, our organization will better understand and address our biases, resulting in solutions that provide resources, support, opportunities and networks to facilitate change.” 

 

Mike Gnibus, Chairman of the Board of Directors, added, “The Committee and Valley United Way Board Members are committed to working with all community members to eliminate the barriers that impede inequality.”   

 

In addition to the DEI statement and training, in the months ahead, Valley United Way will be reviewing its processes of how it identifies partner agencies and determines community investment to ensure equity and accountability, and that the changing needs of the community are served. This accountability will extend to our partner agencies who will assist Valley United Way in annually reporting the results of our investment.     

 

“As part of the community investment process review, we will provide the opportunity for community leaders, recipients of services, corporate leaders, donors, members of the Valley Council and of course members of the board, volunteers, and staff to participate in focused discussions on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion through virtual ‘Candid Community Conversation’ meetings,” said DeMarchis.  

 

Community members can also provide feedback on Valley United Way’s DEI commitments by submitting comments at https://valleyunitedway.org/contact/.  

 

As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration.

For more information about the organization, www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/CEO at 203-538-6341.  

Valley United Way extends backpack-buying program deadline

Sharing from the Valley United Way website:

This year, everything is a little different. That includes our return to school program.

Bringing the program back was important to our Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) members, so we found a way!

We invite you to participate with us in the Prudential Cares pre-filled backpack buying program, which supports the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley directly.

Here is how it will work:

• The items can be purchased online with the Purchase A Backpack button. During ‘checkout’, you can ship directly to the organization by choosing the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lower Naugatuck Valley organization at 1 Positive Place in Shelton.
• The Boys & Girls Club will distribute the backpacks and supplies to students in need as they return to school this year through their programs and in partnership programs at the Valley schools.
• But hurry! This link is only live through August 6th EXTENDED TO AUGUST 16TH!
• The Make A Donation button will remain active after August 6th 16th

'Feed the Valley' initiative featuring 11 local restaurants kicks off today

 

Click here for complete story posted in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Valley United Way announces communications coordinator's resignation

Becca Toms

SHELTON - Valley United Way’s Board of Directors announced this week it has accepted with deep regrets the resignation of its current Communications Coordinator, Becca Toms, effective Dec. 23. She has accepted a new position as Communications Coordinator with UConn Extension. 

Toms has been working at Valley United Way since late June 2019. 

Originally brought on to help with United Way’s “Grow Your Own” Neighborhood Gardens in addition to fostering relationships with local businesses, Toms took on a variety of roles and responsibilities at the local United Way, playing a key part in the United Way’s Communications and Resource Development work.  

David Kennedy, VUW’s Interim President and COO commented, “Every so often, you get to work with an exceptional leader who inspires, improves your organization, and is universally respected for integrity and transparency, while being a fun team player who makes everyone’s work better. That’s what Becca has been for Valley United Way. We are grateful for her service and we will miss her very much, though we are excited for her to have a new opportunity that fully uses her skills and passions.”

Previously, Toms worked at Massaro Community Farm and had been working in the non-profit agriculture field for the past seven years before taking her position at United Way.  

After changes in the organization occurred in the fall of 2019, her responsibilities were modified at VUW to assist during the transition period. Part of this was taking on more of the communications needs, developing for VUW a social media presence, and supporting the organization as it went through its strategic development work. 

At the same time, she also worked to shift responsibilities of the “Grow Your Own” Neighborhood Gardens to Massaro Community Farm for the 2020 growing season.

Since spring 2020, Toms has been working part time with Valley United Way and simultaneously providing support to farmers through multiple programs run out of the UConn Extension Tolland office - where she will be continuing to work in an increased capacity. “While I enjoyed working with and in the Valley community during my time at Valley United Way, I’m excited to be able to give more attention and time to working within the agriculture community in CT, where I have invested a lot of time and passion over the years,” Toms noted.

Looking forward, Valley United Way will distribute the tasks Toms has been responsible for to different staff members and is also looking into other creative partnerships to continue the communications and social media work she has established.

“It won’t be easy to replace Becca as she moves on to the next steps in her career,” says Kennedy, “but we are grateful for the community and resources we have at United Way to continue our work of ‘Strengthening Families, Helping Individuals in Crisis, and Preparing Youth to Succeed’.”

As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration. 

For more information about the organization, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/COO, 203-538-6341.

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Valley Shakespeare Festival to present Community Christmas Carol

Join us on FACEBOOK LIVE today starting at 6:30 p.m. as we premiere our audio-only Community CHRISTMAS CAROL!
Hosted by Valley Shakespeare Festival founder Tom Simonetti, and Board Chair Kayleigh Mihalko.
Starring our friends from 

Seasonal Catering

, 

TEAM, Inc.

 and the 

Valley United Way

!

Valley United Way highlights work of The Salvation Army in Ansonia

Sharing from the Valley United Way Facebook page:

The Salvation Army's catchphrase is "Doing the Most Good," and the Ansonia branch certainly lives up to that.

Though they have many services they provide to the community, their food pantry is a keystone and has been so important in helping their neighbors ensure they have enough food on the table.

They also partnered with us two years ago to put a community garden on their property so community members and individuals utilizing the food bank could have access to more fresh vegetables.

Glad we have them as partners in our work here in the Valley!

The Salvation Army - Ansonia, CT

https://buff.ly/3niAGoP

#harvesthouse #foodpantry #supportnonprofits

Valley United Way's Harvest House goes virtual to assist local food pantries

SHELTON - Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, food security issues have been on the rise and local pantries have been struggling to keep up with the increased need they have seen from the community. 

Typically, in the fall, pantries are already low on inventory because of the lapse in summer food drives, and the lull of giving that occurs before the holidays.  

For years, Valley United Way ran the annual Harvest House food drive to bolster the low inventory of food pantries during the fall months and helped to tide them over so families in Lower Naugatuck Valley are cared for. 

Due to increased demand brought on by the economic troubles of the Coronavirus, the scarcity in pantries has been felt more acutely this fall. 

"St Vincent de Paul has sustained a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of families/households needing help with food,”  Remy Kocurek, Director of St. Vincent De Paul of the Valley Thrift Shoppe and Food Bank said, “and this trend shows no sign of receding."

As large gatherings are not encouraged, to help the community stave off COVID-19, Harvest House (a food drive that local businesses, schools, and individuals participate in during the month of September), was not able to be held in its normal location under the pavilion in Veteran’s Park, Shelton. 

In order to continue supporting the five pantries, Valley United Way has decided to continue the food drive by making it virtual.  

“The experience will be different,” Interim President and COO David Kennedy said. “Having a virtual-build won’t be nearly as touching nor as personally powerful as other years - but the food raised will perhaps mean more this year than any other year.” 

By using an online Virtual Food Drive platform, funded by Prudential, Valley United Way is able to raise funds for the pantries by accepting gifts as small as $1 to as large as $1,000.  

The drive allows the consumer to select sample items and see how their gift can be used at a pantry, but also is reminiscent of a shopping experience an individual would have if they were making an order through a grocery store.  Through this system, Valley United Way hopes to raise $10,000 to offset the needs in the local pantries.

A soft open was done during the month of September of the Virtual Harvest House, but as October continues, Valley United Way will continue promoting this effort with local businesses and through social media.  

The virtual event officially ends Oct. 31. All funds raised during Harvest House 2020 will go directly to the five area food pantries: Salvation Army Greater Valley in Ansonia; Kathleen Samela Food Pantry at Christ Church in Ansonia; Seymour-Oxford Food Bank in Seymour; Spooner House in Shelton; and St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shoppe and Food Bank in Derby. 

To find out more about virtual Harvest House 2020, or to donate, visit: https://valleyunitedway.org/harvest-house/

This is a press release from Valley United Way.