Rooted in Impact: A United Way Coastal and Western Connecticut Podcast
Rooted in Impact is the official podcast of United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. Join us as we explore the people, programs, and partnerships driving positive change in our community— and learn how United Way is creating change locally!
Episodes
13 episodes
Episode 13: Developing Diverse Leaders with Kim Bianca Burgess of SEAT
In this episode of Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with to discuss how SEAT is building stronger, more representative nonprofit leadership by preparing residents from Black and Latino communities for board service. Kim shares t...
Episode 12: Expanding Access to Local Food Through Community Partnerships with Sean Fitzpatrick
In this episode of Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Sean Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Real Food CT, to explore how community partnerships are expanding access to fresh, locally grown food across Connect...
Episode 11: Building a Culture of Service and Leadership Across Connecticut
This week on Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Andrew Ferguson to explore how leadership development and community connection can strengthen a culture of service across Connecticut. Andrew shares the vision behind R...
Episode 10: Advancing Equity and Opportunity Through Community Leadership with State Representative Corey Paris
This week on Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano interviews State Rep. Corey Paris to discuss leading with purpose in public service, nonprofit work, and advocacy.Representative Paris explains how he weaves equity, opportunit...
Episode 9: Cradle to Career: Building Pathways to Opportunity Across Connecticut
This week on Rooted in Impact, host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Lauren Scopaz-Daunais, Senior Vice President of Collective Action, for a conversation about how communities across Connecticut are coming together to improve outcomes f...
Episode 8: Public Service That Moves the Needle with Damika Richardson
This week on Rooted in Impact, we explore what it truly means to live a life of service — across career, community, and family.Host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Damika Richardson, Associate Group Practice Manager at the U.S. D...
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Episode 7: Building Strong Communities Through Access and Innovation with CIFC President & CEO, Katie McKeon Curran
This week on Rooted in Impact, we’re exploring what it truly takes to build strong, resilient communities, especially in moments of uncertainty.Host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Katherine McKeon Curran, President & CEO of ...
Episode 6: Grassroots Advocacy & Educational Equity with Maya Donald Spruill of CORNERS Community
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 Comm...
Episode 5: Navigating Holiday Stress: Caring for Our Mental Health Together
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 Gaudia...
Episode 4: Breaking Down the Legislative Special Session
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 ...
Episode 3: The People’s Mailbag – Your Questions, Our Answers
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 ...
Episode 2: Understanding ALICE with United Way CT’s Daniel Fitzmaurice
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...
Episode 1: Getting to Know United Way, with Our President & CEO
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 familie...
