Rooted in Impact: A United Way Coastal and Western Connecticut Podcast

This week on Rooted in Impact, we’re digging into the power of community-led advocacy and what it takes to advance educational equity for young Black children.

Host Ashley Gaudiano is joined by Maya Donald Spruill of CORNERS Community for a conversation rooted in lived experience, collective action, and systemic change. Together, they explore how inequities show up in education, why organizing families, parents, and youth is critical for accountability, and how CORNERS Community is building pathways for youth leadership and workforce development. 

Learn more about CORNERS Community and their work at www.cornerscommunity.org. 

This week on Rooted in Impact, we’re exploring the real pressures of the holiday season — and how women, caregivers, and families can protect their mental and emotional well-being during this busy time of year.

Host Ashley Gaudiano is joined by Yolande Ford, Senior Director of Equity & Culture and Licensed Professional Counselor, for a grounded conversation about stress, boundaries, self-care, and the power of community support. Together, they unpack practical strategies for navigating holiday overwhelm and creating more balance and connection this season.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in emotional distress, support is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org.

In this week's episode of Rooted in Impact, we break down the recent two-day Special Session of the Connecticut General Assembly. What decisions were made in Hartford, and how they affect working families in our region?

Joining host Ashley Gaudiano is Tida Infahsaeng, United Way’s Senior Director of Advocacy and Partnerships, to unpack it all.

Stay informed and take action — sign up for our advocacy newsletter: https://bit.ly/4ri904n

In this special mailbag episode, host Ashley Gaudiano opens up the inbox to answer your most pressing questions about what it really takes for families to make ends meet in Coastal and Western Connecticut. From the rising cost of basics to the ripple effects of policy changes and the hidden barriers that keep help out of reach. We’re digging into what’s happening on the ground and how United Way CWC is responding. 

Join host Ashley Gaudiano and Daniel Fitzmaurice from United Way of Connecticut as they explore ALICE — the hardworking families earning above the poverty line yet struggling to make ends meet. Learn what ALICE means, why this data matters, and how United Ways across Connecticut are collaborating to support these families and create lasting community impact. 

In our first episode of Rooted in Impact, we sit down with our President & CEO Isabel Almeida, to explore who United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut is, what we stand for, and how we’re creating meaningful change for families in our community.