"Investments made through the Quinnipiac University United Way campaign will support our work in the community to connect families to food and stable housing, support children’s emotional well-being, connect them to school, and increased enrichment opportunities, expand workforce development programs to help more people get and keep a job, and advocate for policies that help low-income working families get ahead," said Jessica Teta, director of development at United Way. "Thanks to the support of Bobcat Nation, we will together impact the lives of more than 100,000 people in our region."

In total, $40,186 was raised this year by more than 100 members of the university community, and $1,206,709 since the partnership began in 1998.

"For 100 years, United Way of Greater New Haven has been committed to tackling big community issues," Teta said. "We embrace the complicated problems that are a high priority for the community and lead and invest in initiatives to fill unmet needs. Serving all residents of our 12 town region, encompassing New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Hamden, Bethany, Woodbridge, Bethany, Orange, Guilford, Madison, Branford and North Branford, United Way of Greater New Haven provides services that range from traditional grant-making to programs addressing the most pressing issues in our community. Our work has always focused on improving education, financial stability, and health in our region. We play a unique leadership role in the community – leveraging resources, both human and financial, to solve our toughest challenges through partnership and innovation."

Teta said she was grateful for this year's co-chairs, Tyrell Walden-Martin, assistant director of athletic communications; Jake Dingle, director of financial reporting, accounting and tax; and Anna Spragg, associate vice president for human resources.

"We are very grateful and thank Quinnipiac for being a partner in this work," she said. "We are building a stronger, more equitable community that offers opportunity for everyone."