Category: In the News

United Way of Westchester and Putnam hosted its annual and first virtual Women’s Leadership Council “Take a Walk in Her Shoes” event on December 8. Maria M. Trusa, CEO of Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care was recognized as its 2020 “Woman of Distinction.”

Trusa, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was the Executive Director of Scarsdale Medical Group where she worked for over 26 years. During her tenure, she transformed it from a six-physician and 35 employee practice, to more than 45 physicians and over 200 employees.

In September 2015, Trusa joined Formé Medical Center as their CEO bringing with her the vision to help the underserved and uninsured community gain access to affordable, transparent, dignified, and high-quality medical care.

“Maria has a powerful story and her impact on our community has been incredibly substantial. She has been leading the charge in providing health care services to the most vulnerable, uninsured residents in Westchester County,” said United Way President and CEO, Tom Gabriel. “It is an incredible honor and privilege to recognize her.”

Trusa provided event attendees with a glimpse into her painful past, and how she transformed her pain into strength. “You can do anything you want in life,” Trusa said. “All you need to do is imagine, believe, and create.” The dialogue’s themes included developing and supporting an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice can be heard.

The evening also included a dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion with special guests and panelists Trusa, Mecca E. Mitchell, Esq., Senior VP of Diversity and Community Relations at Westchester Medical Center and Former Chief Diversity Officer for the State of New York, and Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, Partner at Thompson & Bender and United Way’s 2017 Woman of Distinction Honoree.

Mitchell spoke about the importance of creating an inclusive and empathetic workplace. “Putting yourself in someone else’s position is about being an ally,” she said. “I don’t have to look like you or sound like you to understand your struggle, to be able to play a role in empowering you.”

Participants each received a “Gratitude Giftbag,” which contained a mezze tray from Ladle of Love, wine, and a copy of Trusa’s book, “I Say No More.”

The event helped to raise funds to support ALICE women, children, and families affected by the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. At its core, it is a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn just above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough for a survival budget.

“ALICE households are what we used to call “The Working Poor,” said Gabriel. “These are your child care workers, security guards, cashiers at your supermarket, gas attendants, the salespeople at your big box store, the home health aides, and waiters and waitresses at your local restaurant.”

“They were struggling to meet basic needs before the pandemic. Pre-pandemic research found that 37% of households in Westchester and Putnam fell below the ALICE threshold, meaning they were unable to meet a basic household survival budget for housing, food, transportation, childcare, health care and technology,” Gabriel continued. “United Way is committed to assisting these vulnerable populations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

The WLC Committee members included Leslie Lampert, Owner of Ladle of Love, and Bernadette Schopfer of Maier, Markey & Justic, LLP. The event was generously sponsored by Con Edison, IBM, Ladle of Love, M&T Bank, PepsiCo, and PURE Insurance.

A statewide survey conducted in partnership with the United Way of Westchester and Putnam and other local United Ways on the effects of COVID-19 confirms that New Yorkers are facing many challenges due to the pandemic. The study also affirms that some New York communities and populations are being hit disproportionately hard, and most New Yorkers are very worried about themselves or family members being infected with COVID-19 and experiencing mental health issues. In Westchester and Putnam more than 45 percent of households are struggling to live paycheck-to-paycheck or in poverty. The survey revealed that:

• Most respondents expressed an overwhelming fear of catching COVID-19 (80.7%), followed by a concern with mental health issues (47.6%).
• Families are concerned about childcare/education and/or remote learning (31.6% of respondents listed this as a top concern); and 61.7% of respondents with children report challenges with juggling work and children’s needs.
• Hourly workers were far less likely to transition to remote work (32.6%) than salaried workers (63.3%).
• Of those looking for work, 54.4% reported difficulty finding a job and 46% reported being unable to find a job that provides a sufficient income.

ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Households were struggling to meet basic needs before the pandemic. Pre-pandemic research found that 37% of households in Westchester and Putnam fell below the ALICE Threshold, meaning they were unable to meet a basic household survival budget for housing, food, transportation, childcare, health care and technology. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted these households.ALICE households:

• Are statistically more concerned about childcare and education than households above the ALICE Threshold.
• Are more likely to receive food from a food bank, borrow from friends/family and apply for government assistance than households above the ALICE Threshold

By comparison, households above the ALICE Threshold are more likely to be concerned about non-COVID medical issues and paying off debt and were more likely to increase credit card debt than households Below the ALICE Threshold.
United Way of New York State, in partnership with local United Ways across the state, released the statewide survey to help shed light on the impact COVID-19 on New York communities. In addition, the survey aims to guide and inform United Ways across the state on how to best support New York families through long-term recovery and beyond.
The survey was administered from October 13- November 3, 2020, and made available in both English and Spanish. The survey closed with a total of 5,796 responses from across the state.
The COVID-19 survey has provided a snapshot of critical needs in the state of New York due to the coronavirus and United Way of Westchester and Putnam hopes that the results will help guide conversations, community action, advocacy, and policy ensuring resources are allocated to support those in need. 
For more about the survey click here.

The 211 Helpline Call Center run by the United Way of Westchester and Putnam in White Plains has answered more than 100,000 calls so far in 2020, which is more than the then record-setting 80,000 calls it received in 2019. Over 25,000 calls have been COVID-19-related calls.

“I am so proud of how the call specialists have been able to handle the increased call volume while also providing each caller with the attention they need. Our call specialists have been able a source of information as well as a source of comfort for calls through this crisis,” said Lini Jacob, Senior Vice President of 211 Hudson Valley. “We have seen a jump in calls related to food and housing insecurity and financial needs in every community. 

Every day 211 operates 24/7 and regularly works remotely. Our call center will continue to do so, answering questions, providing information, and even calming a caller’s understandable anxiety about the unknown.
United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline handles calls from residents from Long Island to the Adirondacks. United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, multilingual information (over 200 languages) and referral helpline open 365 days a year. Nationally certified call specialists are trained to answer questions and provide referrals. In 2018, 2-1-1 added text messaging to its services. 

As COVID-19 continues to unfold, 2-1-1 will be here for residents of the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and upstate New York, answering questions about food assistance, housing, and shelters, utilities, abuse prevention, suicide, foster parenting, medical help, and more. Please call 2-1-1 or visit online at 211hudsonvalley.org.

The United Way of Westchester and Putnam announces that an additional $110,000 in grants have been distributed among 14 local, nonprofit organizations responding to unparalleled food and housing needs driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The economic effects of the COVID-19 public health crisis have left many of our neighbors with food and housing insecurities,” said United Way President and CEO Tom Gabriel. “United Way is honored to be able to distribute $110,000 more of funding into the Westchester community. These funds are in addition to the $1 million from the Emergency Food and Shelter funding distributed earlier this year to help our nonprofit partners address the basic human needs of families in our community.’’

The funds were made available through the New York State Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Boards to Westchester county. This program provides federal funding, which helps extend currently available services for the hungry or homeless or at risk of eviction. The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is the administrative agent of the Local EFSP Boards in Westchester and Putnam counties.

“Lifting Up Westchester is so grateful to granters like the United Way who are providing emergency funding support during this time of crisis. The ESFP grant will provide rent assistance to individuals who are part of our Supportive Housing Program and who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic,” said Anahaita Kotval, CEO of Lifting Up Westchester. “Our clients, who are already so vulnerable, need us now more than ever.”

This is the third round of grants awarded to nonprofits through the United Way of Westchester and Putnam this year. First, in May, 31 nonprofit organizations were collectively awarded $120,000 in funding thanks to the United Way’s John M. Bendheim Community Disaster Response Fund and Bonwit Fund, as well as The PepsiCo Foundation. Then in June, the United Way distributed $1 million in Emergency Food and Shelter funding.

Here is a list of organizations that received funding in the latest round.Caring for the Hungry & Homeless of PeekskillCatholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New YorkFeeding WestchesterFriends of KarenGullotta HouseHOPE Community Services, Inc.Hudson Valley Community Services, Inc.Julia Dyckman Andrus Memorial, Inc.Lifting Up WestchesterOssining Micro FundThe Bridge Fund of New York, IncThomas H. Slater Center, Inc.Westchester Community Opportunity Program IncWestchester Residential Opportunities

With winter closing in and necessities in short supply due to COVID-19, United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) will be giving away 700,000 duvets, blankets and pillows to be distributed to social services agencies, schools, homeless shelters in Westchester, the Bronx and other locations in the metro area.

The shipment of desperately needed supplies are thanks to Delta Air Lines and a coalition of groups including Good360, Penske Logistics, and Diamond Properties, who worked together to make sure the supplies got into the hands of those who needed them most.

Several hundred agencies are expected to receive goods from Monday, October 26th through Friday, November 13^th.

“More than 40% of our neighbors are living in poverty, paycheck to paycheck or are food insecure right now. Winter is always a difficult time, but with the pandemic and the depletion of supplies, these blankets and pillows generously donated by Delta Air Lines will keep hundreds of thousands of our neighbors warm in the coming months. We also want to thank Good360, Penske Logistics and Diamond Properties for the assistance,” said Tom Gabriel, president and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “It is partnerships like these that help us to fulfill our mission to lift up people in crisis to self-sufficiency.’’

As a Good360 nonprofit partner, UWWP has access to highly needed, donated goods that Good360 sources from hundreds of socially responsible corporate donors such as Delta Air Lines. UWWP then distributes these products to local, vetted nonprofits. To help facilitate this donation, Penske donated transportation services to deliver the goods to a Mount Kisco warehouse that was provided by Diamond Properties.

Gabriel said that in the past year, United Way has provided $2 million of donations through the Essential Goods for Basic Needs program, which helps to funnel millions in corporate and other donations to the public through its not-for-profit partnerships.

“We are proud to partner with United Way to reach organizations, shelters and communities in need across the country,” said Allison Ausband, Delta’s Senior Vice President – In-Flight Service. “Our mission is to connect the world and giving back is a big part of that. Now more than ever, we must remember to come together, give what we can and support those who need it most.”

Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president said, “We are very pleased to support the United Way of Westchester and Putnam with their transportation needs regarding this generous donation from Delta Air Lines. Our company has a proud history of supporting the United Way.”

“During this time of tremendous need, strong collaborations with our nonprofit partners and corporate donors allow us to maximize our impact and get essential items to people facing challenging circumstances,” said Matt Connelly, CEO of Good360. “In 2020, Good360 is forecasted to distribute more than $600 million in needed goods, an increase of nearly double over 2019. We are thankful to our partners and we look forward to the continued efforts to help those in need.” 

Mark Blandford, EVP of Diamond Properties, which donated the warehouse space for the two week distribution, said, “We are delighted to be part of the efforts of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam by donating a warehouse for distribution of goods collected by donors everywhere. The United Way has been supporting families in our communities for over 100 years and their work is more important than ever. We are grateful for the opportunity to give our support.”    

The Rev. Denise Pickell of the Trinity United Methodist Church in White Plains said that her church would be making a distribution to some families in need shortly and that the church was very grateful for the donation.

“This is so badly needed, and the timing is perfect because we are doing a large distribution tomorrow,’’ said Pickell. “Thank you to the United Way, Delta Air Lines and everyone involved.’’

Malcom Holder of the Westchester Community Opportunity Program, said, “On behalf of WESTCOP, I’d like to extend a thank you for your caring and the children thank you as well.’’

Faith Ann Butcher, Chief Impact Officer for UWWP, said United Way is asking agencies in need of blankets and pillows to contact UWWP. United Way is also looking for volunteers to help load donations as well as greet and check-in agencies who are picking up donations. Agencies and volunteers can contact UWWP at www.uwwp.org or call 914-997-6700 for more information.