United Way celebrates Arlington family's courage

BOSTON - Any parent knows raising children is not an easy job, even under the best of circumstances. Craig Smiley's situation was far from the best of circumstances. Craig is a disabled veteran who suffers from diabetes. Because of additional health issues, he lost his job as a commercial roofer, a job he held for 22 years. He assumed full custody of his two children - Lindsey a second grader and Zachary, a fifth grader, when the children's mother was unable to care for them. They lived in a deplorable apartment but Craig did whatever he could to make the place clean and acceptable for his children.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, Craig never gave up hope that he could do more for his kids. That's why Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and United Way of Massachusetts Bay today presented Smiley with the United Way Courage Award. This special honor -- sponsored by the Houghton Mifflin Company and The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company -- is bestowed annually to an individual or family whose triumph over adversity most embodies the quality of courage. The award was given during United Way's Annual Celebration at the Westin Copley Place in Boston.

When Craig heard about the United Way-funded Arlington Boys and Girls Club summer camp program, he borrowed money to enroll his two children. They developed great friendships and bonds with other children. Lindsey was matched with a mentor, and Zachary is playing basketball and soon will be matched with a mentor of his own. Both kids take swimming lessons. Arlington Boys and Girls Club helped Craig and the children find affordable housing in Arlington in a safer, nicer neighborhood within walking distance to school.

"United Way is committed to removing the obstacles that prevent people from reaching their full potential," said Marian L. Heard, president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay. "The achievements of the Smiley family affirm United Way's research that positive relationships with caring adults are key to the success of young people. While we are recognizing the impact the Arlington Boys and Girls Club has had on the Smiley family, we will also salute the critical role that hundreds of United Way-funded human service agencies play in strengthening opportunities for children and families across our region."

At the early morning gathering, more than 400 business leaders, donors, union supporters and human service agency workers celebrated the community impact that has been achieved this year through their support of United Way. In the face of continuing economic uncertainties -- evidenced by recent reports stating Massachusetts has lost more than 220,000 jobs since February 2001 -- United Way stands out as a viable agent to address emerging community needs.

For example, in 2003, United Way successfully:

* Worked to convince the Massachusetts State Legislature to override Governor Mitt Romney's veto of a key workforce development initiative, which is allowing education and training programs to count toward the work requirement for recipients of transitional assistance.
* Directed $300,000 from a $2 million federal Compassion Capital Fund grant to 11 Boston youth programs that impacted more than 1,800 young people in summer camps, recreational activities, jobs and learning programs.
* Funded community-driven projects like the Malden Middle School Initiative and Quincy Asian Resources, Inc., lending critical support to grass-roots efforts to strengthen after-school programs and boost services and leadership development programs for Asians, respectively.
* Launched the Massachusetts After-School Research Study - MARS- in partnership with the Department of Education and the Office for Child Care Services. The first statewide study of its kind, MARS will examine the link between after-school program quality and student outcomes, as well as measure the efficacy of various models of after-school programs for youth.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is projecting that it will raise over $55.1 million to continue its efforts to leverage real, systemic change in the community. The organization will announce it has been able to increase its revenue by diversifying its fund raising efforts. For example, UWMB this year has won more than $6.2 million in grants and recently closed the Millennium Fund for children, securing a $30 million endowment for the future.

During the celebration, UWMB recognized Robert and Kathy Mahoney, Robert and Myra Kraft and Robert Beal for their leadership in energizing thousands of volunteers to raise the resources necessary to ensure the provision of quality day care programs, after-school education, job training counseling and affordable housing. Also on hand at United Way's Annual Celebration was UWMB's new Board Chair -- Cathy Minehan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and Chad Gifford, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FleetBoston Financial.