Naomi Adler, executive director of United Way for Westchester and Putnam, told a gathering of Patch Local Editors in White Plains that helping members of the community get back to work is a top priority for her agency in 2012.
Adler said that efforts to help solve unemployment also help many other community problems that United Way deals with on a daily basis. United Way hosted Patch Local Editors from Westchester and Rockland counties at its offices on Central Park Avenue.
In the meeting, Adler and other members of the United Way staff, spoke about the organization's operations — including the 211 information call center that it runs for Westchester and Putnam counties as a government contract agency.
Adler said United Way works with partners to help families become financially stable and independent by:
- Supporting basic needs while increasing financial education
- Increasing affordable housing for individuals and families
- Helping families to offset the high cost of prescription drugs
She said agency initiatives in income include:
- Financial Education at the Workplace:Individuals and families learn how to manage and preserve assets through financial education workshops offered at employment sites in Westchester and Putnam.Find out more...
- Financial Help Line: Answers questions regarding personal financial needs such as mortgage foreclosure, budget and credit concerns, 401K, investments, or college funding issues.
- FamilyWize:Provides free prescription discount cards offering significant savings for those without insurance or who cannot afford prescription drugs.Find out more...
- Teach Me to Fish... Work Skills for Life:Gives hard-to-place individuals training, opportunities and on-the-job follow-up to get back on the job track.Find out more...
- Homeward Bound: Creates a more favorable climate in local communities for the development and preservation of affordable housing.Find out more...
- Hope for the Homeless and Hungry: Makes sure that funds are distributed fairly and equitably, on an emergency basis, so that more people have the necessary help to keep them in their homesFind out more...
- United Way’s 2-1-1:Provides solutions to individuals, communities and government 365 days a year.
Adler, an attorney who specializes in non-profit management and fundraising, is a resident of Nanuet. Her husband, Rabbi Brian Beal, is leader of the Temple Beth Torah congregation in Upper Nyack.
