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SpeakUnited, a United Way Blog

We began these blogs because we wanted to start a conversation. The posts on this blog are the personal perspectives of individual staff, volunteers and guest bloggers, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization. We encourage response and conversation. We just ask you to keep it respectful. We'd love to hear it. It's a conversation, after all, we hope you'll add to it. Want to be a guest blogger? Email us

Please review the terms & conditions of our blog.

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Meghan Keaney Anderson
Wed, 08/25/2010

United Way Staff honored by BBJ & Mayor's ONEin3 Council

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I work with some pretty impressive people at United Way.  Some of them should really be in the market for superhero capes.  And yes, of course, I'm biased, but this month a few of our staff made some big splashes outside of United Way as well. We couldn't be more proud.  read more »

Lanita Tolentino
Lanita Tolentino
Tue, 08/03/2010

If You Give a Child a Book...

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I can remember sitting on the side of my bed reading book after book after book over and over again... as a teenager, in middle school, even in elementary school and before I could read them holding and staring at the pics I'm sure while creating an adventure in my head. Having my own mini library meant that I could pick from a range of books and thanks to my parents and other adults around me my collection grew year after year.  read more »

Donna Stiglmeier
Donna Stiglmeier
Tue, 08/03/2010

Here's to you...on the pathway to financial stability!

1 of 9 United Ways in Learning Network to promote financial stability

Learning takes time nationally...and breeds local results in Lynn!  read more »

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Meghan Keaney Anderson
Wed, 07/28/2010

Thanks a Billion, UPS

This week marks a stunning milestone for one of our partner companies. Over the past 28 years, since they first partnered with United Way, UPS has donated an unbelievable $1 billion to improve lives and communities across the country and internationally. Let me say that again: One Billion Dollars. It's not often that this blog focuses on the dollar commitments of individual companies. Instead, we tend to write on progress that those dollars drive. But this landmark is truly symbolic of the commitment and conviction UPS employees and corporate offices have made, not only to the well-being of the people in their communities, but to creating real, lasting change.

Locally, we have long been inspired by the determination that UPS has shown in Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley. Here are a couple of my favorite UPS stories.  read more »

Paola Ferrer
Paola Ferrer
Tue, 07/27/2010

Summer Bounty

Affordable and Accessible Fresh Produce in Boston

Our local farmers bring the best of their harvest to convenient locations around the city making it easy for city dwellers to get nutritious, locally-grown food. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors can not afford to visit farmers' markets for their purchases. This summer, however, a partnership between The Food Project and the City of Boston is making fresh produce available (and affordable!) to individuals and families receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.  read more »

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Meghan Keaney Anderson
Tue, 06/08/2010

A place for youth in summer months

Funding Summer Programming in Lowell

A state-wide survey released last week by The Afterschool Alliance showed that just 30% of Massachusetts youth participate in summer learning programs.  And yet, more than 50% of parents whose children are not involved in summer programming, say they would like to see their children enrolled in such programs.  read more »

Alicia Canady
Alicia Canady
Tue, 06/01/2010

State of Emergency- Fallen brown and black young men

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I can't stop crying at work today. How can I focus on raising money when four young men were shot or stabbed this past weekend? As I returned from my weekend trip I was bombarded with news that a childhood brother was gunned down. I went to school with his sisters. I remember Cory Johnson, handsome, clean, quiet, and polite, always had a smile, loved life and lived well. How could this happen? Why not? My young black and brown brothers are gunned down like slaughtered animals each and every week as it appears and it continues. This is a state of emergency yet there is no panic, no one running out into the streets yelling evacuate, stay inside, this city is on lockdown.  read more »

Lanita Tolentino
Lanita Tolentino
Tue, 06/01/2010

Another Life Lost

We Need Change- What will you do?
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Memorial Day Weekend was in full swing. Warm weather- check, list of cookouts to attend- check let the fun commence. That all quickly changed when the phone rang at 7a on Sunday morning. I'm always a little nervous when the phone rings early in the morning or in the middle of the night- never know what I might hear from the other end. This call was one of those. The news was that Cory Johnson, a family friend, more like a brother to me, had died. My heart sunk and my mind immediately went to hoping it wasn't by violence.  read more »

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Meghan Keaney Anderson
Tue, 05/25/2010

Volunteer Alert: Horizons for Homeless Children

United Way partner organization Horizons for Homeless Children is seeking volunteers for its 5th Annual Young Children Without Homes National Conference, which is taking place in a few weeks on June 15th.  This conference will focus on: the value of quality early education and care for young homeless children; cross-systems training and network; collaboration locally and nationally; concrete strategies for local implementation.   read more »

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