Editor’s note: This week’s Middlesex United Way guest column is written by Dr. Michael Conner, superintendent of Middletown Public Schools. He will be serving as the agency’s 2020-21 campaign chairman.
MIDDLETOWN — It is a great honor to accept the position of chairman for the 2020 Middlesex United Way campaign, which will underpin the United Way’s focus on systemic change through the core principles of equity and social justice in order that our community may thrive.
I look forward to working with the Board of Directors, President and CEO Kevin Wilhelm and his staff, and the extraordinary volunteers who together bring positive change in Middlesex County.
We are so encouraged by the continued expressions of support we are hearing from the over 125 workplace campaigns that comprise the majority of our revenue. In addition, Patti Anne Vassia is leading an effort with me to seek $20,000 in new and increased donations from leadership donors, people who give $1,000 or more.
This will support areas of immediate need, including housing equity, quality education, eradicating income gaps, access to health care services, and mitigation of the impact of the novel coronavirus.
Discussions about race, level setting through a justice lens, and grounding policy through equity is arduous work that takes time. Suffice to say, if we integrate this work into our everyday beliefs and practices, it will fundamentally change the landscape of society. This will be a new initiative that will be integrated into the campaign as our work will strengthen and deepen the social justice focus in Middlesex County.
We cannot achieve our campaign goals without you. Please consider joining me in supporting the Middlesex United Way’s 2020 campaign. I look forward to furthering our collaboration to advance the critical mission and new initiatives of the agency.
“There is no other leader in our region right now who understands better the need to respond to the impact of COVID 19 and racial inequalities that have been underscored by the pandemic,” Wilhelm said.
“Dr. Michael Conner brings vision, passion and expertise in technology needed to lead our 2020-21 campaign that kicks off today. It’s a big responsibility to lead the campaign this year, as more people in need are counting on us more than ever before. Dr. Conner is more than up to the job,” he said.
Learn more by visiting middlesexunitedway.org.
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