Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Monday, April 15, 2013

2-1-1 Answers the Call

2-1-1 Infoline received 1,800 calls during the first quarter of 2013 from residents in the United Way of Northwest CT service area.  Calls answered regarding utilities - 249, Housing - 196, Mental Health - 174, Financial help - 171, Legal sevices - 100, Substance abuse - 99, Health support services - 91, Public assistance - 84, Food - 65, and Tax services - 48. 

McCall Foundation Housing for Veterans

McCall Foundation will celebrate the opening of their transitional housing for homeless veterans on Wednesday, May 8 from 3-6 pm at 231 North Main Street, Winsted, CT. Light refreshments will be served.  The housing will be able to help ten homeless vets and provide outpatient service. Inquiries should be directed to 860-496-2100.

Canaan Community Day

A free ‘Community Connection Day’ event will be held on Sunday, May 19th 12-5pm at the Town Pavilion, Canaan, CT. (and every 3rd Sunday through August). The event is designed to help develop a stronger sense of community in Canaan, CT. and help residents connect to community services

Community Connections Coalition’s goal is to strengthen and increase neighborhood based activities that: empower residents and build partnerships by coordinating resources already in the community, bringing out the voices of the residents and ensuring that the services meet the needs of the people. 

This interactive day highlights area community organizations who serve our community.
·     What you can expect: Live music, information booths, farmers, yard sales.

Join our coalition free space is available to representatives from local farmers, education, government, faith-based, civic and health care organizations that have information to share with local residents. 

This event is sponsored by THE COMMUNITY MISSION and CT Co-Act.
For more information about this event or to reserve a table, call 781-413-7604 or visit www.ctco-act.webs.com

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Mobile Food Pantry in Torrington

The Connecticut Food Bank will deliver fresh produce for low-income households on Thursday, April 18th at noon, at the Northwestern CT Community College parking lot on Holabird Avenue across from the church.  Recipients should bring their own bags. One ticket per household will be given out.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

2-1-1 Mental Health Care Barometer


Close to 109,000 adults and 39,000 children in Connecticut live with a serious mental health condition. While mental health is as essential as physical health to an individual's overall well-being, there are often barriers to receiving mental health care. Barriers can include cultural stigmas and lack of insurance coverage. This 2-1-1 Barometer reviews the goals of Connecticut's current mental health plan, which addresses those barriers. This 2-1-1 Barometer also lists many of the mental health care resources available for children, youth and adults, those in the military and those at risk of suicide. Click here for this latest edition of the 2-1-1 Barometer.

Click here for previous editions of the 2-1-1 Barometer.

Monday, April 8, 2013

June 21 United Way of Northwest CT Day of Caring

This year's Day of Caring Committee is already planning projects and scheduling volunteers. Committee members (pictured below, left to right) are: Pat Marciano, United Way Office Manager; Josh Ferreira, Financial Advisor; Kevin Canady, Northwestern CT Community College; Alyssa Caliendo, Village Mortgage Company; Janic Wojtczak, Litchfield Bancorp; and Tiffany Hussey, Litchfield Bancorp. Members not pictured include Stephanie Hart, CT Mutual Holding Company; Paul McLaughlin, Litchfield Bancorp; and Lauren Smith, NWCT Chamber of Commerce.

Projects scheduled to date include painting at Catholic Charities, gardening and building a shed at Falls Village Day Care, painting a LARC group home and maintenance at Camp Moe, and planting a garden and installing cabinets at Winsted Area Child Care. 

While projects primarily benefit United Way member agencies, other non-profits and civic organizations can call the United Way at (860) 489-4131 to inquire about submitting a project. 

Volunteers are always needed! Call or email pat@northwestunitedway.org if you or a group are interested.

The United Way Day of Caring is designed to complete projects that an agency would otherwise not be able to undertake due to lack of funds or personnel, and provides volunteer opportunities for area citizens and businesses.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Alcohol Awareness Month

Community Mental Health Affiliates, a United Way of NWCT member agency, recognizes April as Alcohol Awareness Month.

Awareness helps to reduce the percentage of young people who use alcohol. Last year, the national average of youth in grades 8-12 who used alcohol last month was 27%, but in central and northwest Connecticut regions served by CMHA, that average was 17%, down 24% from the prior year, and suspensions due to alcohol abuse has decreased 61% in the past 6 years.
To learn more about he Substance Abuse Action Council (SAAC) visit www.saacct.org

Litchfield Bancorp Executive Leads Golf

Bob Teittinen, Chief Lending Officer at Litchfield Bancorp, is Chairman of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut’s annual Golf Tournament that will be held on Monday, May 13th at the Torrington Country Club in Goshen.

“I'm very pleased to once again chair this year’s United Way Golf Tournament” said Bob.  “We decided to reconfigure the event with all-inclusive pricing as well as some select prizes for the raffle winners!  We are hoping for a full field of golfers, as the money we raise here is directly distributed to the United Way sponsored agencies in our towns and these agencies need our help more than ever this year.  I am looking forward to seeing you on the 13th!”

Two hole-in-one challenges are being sponsored by Mitchell-Volvo Torrington and Northwest Hills Dealerships, should anyone be lucky enough to win!

The tournament raises about $13,000 each year to benefit United Way Community Impact initiatives. The cost is $185 per golfer, which includes lunch, 18 holes of golf with a cart, the driving range, dinner, and five complimentary raffle tickets, two mulligans, and the putting contest. Lunch sponsors are Litchfield Bancorp, Northwest Community Bank, and Thomaston Savings Bank. 

If you’d like to participate or volunteer, call Stephanie Barksdale at (860) 489-4131, email Stephanie@northwestunitedway.org or visit www.northwestunitedway.org.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mentoring Program Helps Youth

Jennifer Ives-Groebl, a busy mother and Assistant Vice President at Litchfield Bancorp, is making a difference in a child's life as a volunteer of the United Way of Northwest CT mentoring program.
 
Jennifer volunteered for the program because she understands how important it is for grade school children to build learning habits that will contribute to their future success. Since she began her mentoring experience, she's seen measurable improvement in the student's skills. Her commitment shows that anyone can impact a student’s reading proficiency, attendance, and graduation rate. Early help is critical to future success. Volunteer mentors can provide not only basic instruction, but emotional support and guidance as well.


Individuals who wish to volunteer as a mentor should call the United Way of Northwest Connecticut office at (860) 489-4131, visit the website, www.northwestunitedway.org, or email pat@northwestunitedway.org.