Passion for helping others links United Way staff

United Way of Rhode Island employees love their jobs because they love helping people, according to some who work there.
“Benefits are a good thing, but what really makes this a great place to work is the camaraderie and esprit de corps,” said Anthony Maione, the organization’s president and CEO. “There’s a tremendous amount of passion for our mission.”
United Way is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose goal is to improve the lives of people in need. Much of the money raised through the United Way’s annual appeals to the business community is distributed to other nonprofit organizations that run programs aimed at fighting hunger, developing low-income housing, providing job training, or reaching out to young people. There are 48 full-time employees at the organization’s headquarters in the Olneyville section of Providence.
“Our mission here is helping people help themselves. That draws a certain type of employee,” said Mary Jane Silva, vice president and director of new accounts development. “They really want to do their job.”
To keep that passion alive, United Way takes steps to ensure the staff feels some connection to the activities the organization supports. At least several times a year, every employee is expected to do some hands-on work with a nonprofit agency affiliated with the United Way.
“Right now, for example, we’re involved in a drive to gather school supplies for children in summer learning programs,” Maione said. “People are collecting new packages or pens and pencils, notebooks, glue sticks and other items from family and friends, or transporting those materials to where they are needed.” Silva, an employee for the past 22 years, notes that caring attitude carries over to the office as well. “Everyone’s opinion is valued. No one feels like they can’t speak up,” she said. “And I can’t say enough about the people in human resources. They go above and beyond. If someone has a crisis at home – if there is a health issue, or they’re losing a family member – someone from the department will visit them to see what we can do.”
Though the staff is small, United Way provides opportunities for career development. When employees take college courses related to work, for example, the organization pays their tuition, provided they earn a grade of “B” or above. There are also “lunch and learn sessions,” where employees make presentations on such issues as time management or leadership, with input from the human resources department.
Benefits are considered competitive. United Way picks up 80 percent of health care costs, and there’s a retirement-savings program, with matching contributions by the employer. And the organization has taken steps to ensure employees are informed as to what effect the current recession may have on retirement plans, bringing in investment advisers to make presentation.
According to Silva, the office technology also eliminates some of headaches found in some workplaces. “They are constantly updating,” she said. “I have a computer now that answers my phone.” •