Sharon Brewster

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.

Sharon Brewster

Thu, 09/23/2010

VOTE for United Way to win a social media makeover!

Vote for us!
United Way has been chosen as a finalist for a social media makeover by Future M.

At United Way, our goal is engagement, particularly engagement that spans the entire year. We want our supporters to see themselves as part of something larger. We have a number of engagement opportunities coming up including a series of community conversations on the state of education in Massachusetts. Winning this contest will give us some guidance on how to grow adoption of our social media tools and use them to empower discussion and action around our upcoming engagement opportunities and continue to serve the community. All we need is your vote to make it happen!

Click the link below and vote!
http://www.holland-mark.com/blog/2010/09/futurem-vote-on-who-gets-a-soci... read more »

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Sharon Brewster

Mon, 12/07/2009

Teachers Making House Calls

house calls make pupils, parents feel at home

Community Buzz

Teacher’s house calls show the benefit of a strong parent-teacher relationship for students. Having engaged parents, enthused children and teachers creates a positive learning experience. read more »

2 comments

Sharon Brewster

Thu, 12/04/2008

Live United Hero: Scott Stolze

One ordinary person can be the catalyst to extraordinary things

Scott has convened volunteers and organizations to help provide families in New Orleans with donated furniture to make their house a furnished home.

Scott and fellow volunteers read more »

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Sharon Brewster

Wed, 08/20/2008

Raising our Children to Thrive

A Parent's Excitement about 'Thrive in Five'

"Mommy, will you take me to school? Mommy, you're taking taking me to school! You can take me to school—" Nia, my three year old continued on in anticipation of her first day back to pre-school. The excitement was contagious as we giggled and chatted together about what this school year will be like. read more »

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Sharon Brewster

Tue, 07/29/2008

A Reason To Be Kind: Foreclosures, Suicides and Depression

Since reading about the troubling headline and story of the woman who killed herself 90 minutes before her foreclosed home was scheduled to be auctioned, I've been reflecting on moments of kindness that were probably missed that could have prevented this tragedy. Experts say that it is not uncommon for homeowners facing foreclosure to have suicidal thoughts--and with the rise of foreclosure rates all across the country I can't help but wonder how many of our neighbors, loved ones and friends are "undiagnosed" as being in this category. read more »

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Sharon Brewster

Tue, 01/15/2008

Ready for PreSchool

An example of United Way's work impacting my own life

Healthy Child Development

Nia, my 2-year-old daughter, has started preschool. I'm proud to say that she's happy, healthy and emotionally prepared for a lifetime of learning. What I learned here at United Way has played a big part in Nia's success... read more »