Vision, Mission and Culture

Vision

United, we provide help for today, hope for tomorrow, and the resources to build a better future for our local community.

Mission

United Way of Westchester and Putnam mobilizes strategic partnerships, and leverages resources to create a more equitable community by advancing education, financial stability, and health initiatives.

{Approved 4/6/2022}

Culture and Community Policy

The United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) – consistent with its mission to improve the INCOME, EDUCATION, and HEALTH of every person in our community – is committed to fostering a workplace culture that values all perspectives, promotes fair treatment, welcomes full participation at all levels, and upholds the highest standards of respect and professionalism in all interactions. UWWP maintains an unwavering commitment to ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to contribute their talents effectively in service of our mission.

At UWWP we believe that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER and that it is only by being UNITED that we can change the world for the better.

We understand that by recognizing individual merit, aptitude, and determination, while welcoming different perspectives and life experiences, we further advance our mission, support our communities, and strengthen our organization.

To provide authentic leadership that advances our mission, UWWP strives to:

Value varied perspectives and experiences as integral to our mission and critical to ensuring the well-being of our staff and the communities we serve;
Create an environment where all employees and volunteers feel respected and able to fully contribute their talents;
Foster a Purpose Driven, Results-Oriented, Caring Workspace that recognizes and rewards merit-based achievement and professional growth;
Regularly review and enhance our policies, systems, programs, and services to ensure they support full participation and professional growth;
Consider different viewpoints and approaches that can strengthen our organizational effectiveness;
Support board-level thinking about how to best serve our entire community in alignment with our mission;
Recognize that effective leadership manifests through diverse skills, experiences, and approaches;
Practice and encourage transparent communication, when appropriate;
Invest in developing highly qualified leadership across our board, staff, committees, and advisory bodies;
Lead with respect and acceptance.

{Pending Approval Feb 2025}

A Message from the President and CEO

UWWP is dedicated to improving the lives of the 40% of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck. These are often hardworking families struggling to make ends meet and provide a better life for their children.

We recognize that institutional racism, anti-semitism, and homophobia are among the many factors that contribute to keeping families from surviving and thriving.

At UWWP we believe that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER and that it is only by being UNITED that we can change the world for the better.

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make everyone who they are, and we welcome their unique perspective, experience and hard work as we advance our mission to improve the INCOME, EDUCATION and HEALTH of every person in our community.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

As such, all of us at UWWP stand in solidarity with anyone who seeks mutual respect. We condemn racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, and all forms of hate.

#LiveUnited

Tom Gabriel, President and CEO
United Way of Westchester and Putnam