VOLUNTEER in New Britain on Friday, 
June 20 - National Summer Learning Day K
 
 

  

Children and families will attend New Britain's Summer Enrichment Experience Kick-off Celebration, in partnership with the Coalition for New Britain's Children and New Britain Youth Network. Volunteers are needed throughout the day to assist children with hands-on learning activities and assist families in finding summer learning opportunities. 
 
   SAVE THE DATE!
 
ELS 101 - Wednesday, August 13
   

Join us for this new and prospective member orientation and networking event!  
 
Come meet the Emerging Leaders Society Steering Committee and other new members at this quarterly orientation and mixer.  Make new friends, network and learn more about the Emerging Leaders Society and its upcoming events! Complete list of ELS events --->

For more information and to register today for any of the upcoming ELS events, please contact Bree at: 

[email protected] or 860-493-6838.

 

ADVOCATE 
DO SOMETHING BOLD! 
Welcome New-Bees!C

 

 

 

 
Cesar Aleman, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Inc.
Denzyl Amankwah, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
Jennifer Barry, Bay Path College  
Maria Baughman, Hartford Hospital  
Cassandra Cortese
Chelsea Hill, Enterprise Holdings
Eva Jacobson
Mary Mackey, Alzheimer's Association, CT Chapter
Andrew Mactaggart, Pratt & Whitney - East Hartford
Hao Ni
Irina Pasternak, Pepperidge Farm Inc.
Brittany Sandoval, JCPenney
Deborah Spencer, University of Saint Joseph
Abigail Van Deusen, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.  
 
Would you like to work for United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut?
  
 
United Way is looking for a Community Engagement VISTA to help reach community goals!
 M
 

 

"LIKE" ELS ON FACEBOOK TODAY!

 

 
Please help us get to 500 "Likes!"
 
If you haven't yet, visit the Emerging Leaders Society Facebook page and tell your friends too: www.facebook.com/ELSUWCNCT.

 

Tell your friends and family about the great work you're doing. And encourage others to join us!
 
is a fast-growing group designed for young professionals who are dedicated to positive social change in our community. Dollars and time are specifically invested in helping children succeed academically and in life. 
 
To learn more about United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and to work being down in our community, please click here. 
Help Children Read. Learn. Succeed.
 

  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Every year, on or around June 21, volunteers across the world participate in United Way Day of Action. Last year, more than 165,000 volunteers in 270 cities were mobilized. You're invited to make a difference locally. Please join members of the Emerging Leaders Society by volunteering at United Way's Family Book Festival. This is an annual event where children receive free books, participate in fun literacy-related crafts, and sign a Summer Reading Pledge.  Books are generously donated through gifts to United Way, including our Emerging Leaders Society's fundraising efforts and Read. Learn. Succeed. signature bookplate fundraiser. 

Reading is the third most important skill adults have behind only breathing and making sure their heart keeps beating. Yet, learning to read can be a challenge for many children who may lack literacy-rich environments outside of school and have limited, or no, books at home. This is a particular problem in the summer when children are set back in school by losing two months of learning, creating an achievement gap amongst their peers. By distributing free books and encouraging independent reading, children will have an opportunity to help close this gap. The summer is also a time when students develop a love for reading because they can choose what books interest them. The event will raise awareness about the importance of reading and continuing to learn during the summer. This event is part of a year-round effort to help children succeed in school and life. Generous people, like you, make this possible. 
 
We strongly encourage you to volunteer at United Way's Family Book Festival being held on the global United Way Day of Action, June 21 at Hartford City Hall, 550 Main Street in HartfordYou can be part of making change happen in one day by providing opportunity for childhood memories and milestones. Volunteer commitment is from 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. The event is open from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to the public. 

 

Please email Brian Mezzi at [email protected] to register now!
 
 
I look forward to seeing you there!
 
Regards,
 
James Moher  
Howard, Kohn, Sprague & Fitzgerald, LLP 
United Way Emerging Leaders Society
Marketing Communications Sub-Committee  

 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT! J
A Total Unselfie
  
Donna Hamzy - June member of the month
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." 
- Anne Frank 

It's our honor to present the member of the month award to Donna Hamzy! Since joining Emerging Leaders Society (ELS) in November of 2013, Donna has been very active, serving on the Special Events Committee. Donna, an Employee Benefits Specialist for the Health Consultants Group, brings her contagious personality and dedication to every event she attends on behalf of ELS.  In addition, to her volunteer service with ELS, Donna lent her impressive talents to this year's Women's Leadership Council's Power of the Purse Luncheon and Silent Auction. Donna served on the Auction Committee, securing donations, helping with the bid sheet information and making sure the event was executed flawlessly. 
 
Thank you Donna, for choosing to Do Something BIG by becoming a member of United Way's Emerging Leaders Society and for your dedication to making a difference in our community. ELS is lucky to have you!   
WOW...OUR MEMBERS ROCK!
Emerging Leaders Society Members' Honors and Recognition Q   
 
Congratulations, Anthony Shannon from Shipman & Goodwin LLP, and member of the ELS Membership Subcommittee, on being nominated for a "Black Man Can" Award recognizing and honoring positive black men and boys who contribute to our community and professional arenas.
Congratulations, Keshia Ashe from ManyMentors, and ELS Community Rock Star, on being named one of "40 Women for the Next 40 Years" by The Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) and Day Pitney.
 
Congratulations, Katherine Ramirez from Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and chair, ELS Volunteerism Subcommittee on obtaining her Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership with Honors from Albertus Magnus College.  
Congratulations, Erik St. Pierre from Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company, and member of the ELS Marketing & Communications Subcommittee, and Christie Miller St. Pierre, on their recent nuptials.

 
Recently been honored for your efforts to Do Something BIG? Please share with the Emerging Leaders for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming ELS communication. Send a photo and details to Bree Pelczar at [email protected].
APRIL AND MAY REWIND! 
INSPIRING LIFE-LONG LEARNERS D
 
 
April 9: ELS 101 networking event welcomed new and prospective members at United Way in Hartford. 
April 17 and May 22: ELS members volunteered at Alfred E. Burr Community School's after-school program. 

  

 
June 3: Emerging Leaders Society volunteers helping at the third annual Power of the Purse
Luncheon and Silent Auction. 
May 14: Emerging Leaders Society annual, signature event, Brighten the Way for Our Youth fundraiser to help children Read. Learn. Succeed. 
 

Wednesday April 9: ELS 101 New and Prospective Member Orientation
Members of the steering committee came together with new and prospective members to share the Emerging Leaders Society's (ELS) mission. ELS 101 took on a different feel with a round table discussion, a change of pace from our normal classroom style presentation. The group got to know each other by participating in an ice breaker. Bobby and Michael, co-chairs of ELS, shared the core values of ELS, centered around the group's dedication to improving the lives of the children. Also, a few steering committee members shared testimonials on how their time volunteering at two of Hartford's Community Schools has enriched, not only the students lives, but also their own.
 
The steering committee would like to give a very special thank you to Jacqueline, Abbey, Chelsea, Nicholas and John for attending ELS 101. Members thoroughly enjoyed learning about you and what brings you to our group. Welcome aboard! We look forward to the next ELS 101 on August 13!

Thursday, April 17: Burr Community School Volunteer Event
ELS volunteers helped the Alfred E. Burr Community School students with arts and crafts. The students created various pieces of art such as, decorated paper eggs that showcased their personalities and Happy Easter posters for that special person in their life. The classrooms were buzzing with laughter and excitement as the ELS volunteers helped the students with their masterpieces and the students shared what they learned in school that week.

"The time spent with the students at Burr Community School always gives me a fresh breath of air and boy do those kids know how to pull on my heart strings! Immediately after volunteering, I began my countdown to the next month's ELS volunteer activity." - Ashley

Thursday, May 22: Burr Community School Volunteer Event
Twelve volunteers did something BIG by assisting Alfred E. Burr Community School staff with a Trip Around the World party complete with tours of Italy, China and Ethiopia, native dishes, henna tattoos and other fun enrichment activities. Thanks to the following volunteers who coming out to help children succeed: Bobby Nims and Ashley Netz from Cigna; Kamarlia Reid from Lincoln Financial Group; Rebekah Castagno, The Village for Families & Children, Inc.; Cesar Aleman from Connecticut Fair Housing Center; Todd Francis from UTC Aerospace Systems; Katherine Ramirez from Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Brittany Sandoval; and, Nathalie Martell and Charlotte Croog from McCue Mortgage.
 
 
Wednesday, May 14: Brighten the Way for Our Youth
Emerging Leaders Society members hosted their second annual, signature event, Brighten the Way for Our Youth fundraiser at Farmington Gardens. Guests were treated to a two-hour wine, beer and martini tasting provided by Wine Cellars 4 in Farmington, with an opportunity to purchase spirits to support United Way. In addition to spirit sampling, our guests enjoyed a gorgeous venue, delicious food, networking, the "graffiti wall of brightness" and dancing by DJ Tony Ramos.

The event raised more than $4,000 to purchase books to support United Way's Read. Learn. Succeed. initiative to benefit the lives of local children. 
Thank you to all who attended!
 

Tuesday, June 3: United Way's Women's Leadership Council Power of the Purse 
10 members of the Emerging Leaders Society assisted with the Power of the Purse Silent Auction at the Connecticut Convention Center. Thanks to the following ELS volunteers: Rebekah Castagno from The Village for Families & Children, Inc.; Kamarlia Reid from Lincoln Financial Group; Ellen Lyman and Jenny Comerford from The Hartford Financial Services, Inc.; Nicole Grunwald from Cigna; Erica Czajkowski from Deloitte; Erica Mitchell from Girls Scouts of Connecticut; Amy Ryczko from Boy Scouts of America; Marci Neufer from Hebrew Healthcare; Keshia Ashe from ManyMentors; Donna Hamzy from The Health Consultants Group. The auction raised more than $26,000 to help women and their families on the path toward financial security.

 
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