Did you know that out of all the families living in Middletown (10,570 families) almost half (43%) are single parents? And that one-third of those families are living at or below the Federal Poverty Level? Middletown Works wants to change this!

Middletown Works is a Working Cities Challenge Initiative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. It is a movement of people, businesses and organizations working together to lift up Middletown’s single parent families living in poverty. The initiative is led by The Connection, Middlesex United Way, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT).

Our 10-year goal is to increase prosperity and reduce poverty among Middletown’s single parent families. Over the past year, we have expanded our partnerships, and have been exploring a pilot workforce program with Middlesex Health. Each month we offer Community Cafes, which are designed to bring together a variety of people in our city to get to know each other. The focus at the Community Cafe is on a person-centered experience which includes activities like, New & Good, Table Talks and a Marketplace. Child activities and a light meal are provided at no charge to all participants. Like our Facebook page or email us to join our mailing list to find out when these events will be held.

Middletown Works is committed to building connections between single parents and the business community. We are also seeking out employers who can be Middletown Works Champions – businesses who understand the needs of single parents and are willing to look deeper at how they do business. Employers have a significant role to play in this work, and their voice is typically not at the table. Not only can employers help to lift-up low-income single parents, but they can also reap bottom-line rewards, such as increased productivity and a more engaged workforce. It is a win/win for both single parents and businesses.

Seeking solutions to one of the most pressing problems in our community today will take each of us doing one small part. Eventually each part will equal a whole that will be stronger and greater than the sum of those parts. Please reach out to us and we will be more than happy to meet with you and hear your ideas on how to make life better for single parent families struggling to make ends meet.

Click here to watch the “What is Middletown Works?” video.

Contact Rebecca Lemanski, MSW | Director at Rebecca.Lemanski@MiddletownWorks.orgor call/text 860 975-5405 to learn more!