2-1-1 New Child Care website

With support from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, 2-1-1 Child Care recently launched a new website to make it easier for parents and early care providers to access child care information and resources. The new site is mobile-enabled, and features a wealth of resources for parents and child care professionals, including a new map-based child care search engine.

The map-based search results show where child care programs are located in relation to home, work or any other place (such as an elementary school). Users can filter the search results based on a number of criteria including the type of program, quality indicators, days/hours of operation, specials needs experience, and financial assistance.

Providers and parents can visit the new website at www.211childcare.org or connect with 2-1-1 Child Care by calling 2-1-1 and selecting option 2.

Donations Pour Into Food Drive

The United Way food drive is fast approaching last year's total, thanks to substantial donations from places such as 468 items from Doyle's Medical Supply and a whopping 1,540 items from Torrington Middle School students and staff!!
Last year's program collected just over 11,000 items.  At a minimum, we hope to achieve the same results again.  It's very heartwarming to see how generous everyone's been!

Food Drive Makes Progress!

The United Way of Northwest CT food drive made tremendous progress today, bumping up total contributions to 5,115 !! The increase is due in large part to local schools, including Torrington Christian Academy, Vogel School, Torrington High School. 

Woman of the Year Announced

The United Way of Northwest Connecticut Women’s Leadership Initiative, co-chaired by Gail Olsen, owner of Ducci Kitchens Inc., and Cailin Cerruto, Ethan Allen Furnishings, is pleased to announce the recipients of the Woman of the Year Award, as well as the award for Best Supporting Organization in the Role of Empowering Women.
The 2014 Woman of the Year is Gladys Cerruto, Former CEO of Torrington Metal Products located in Torrington, CT. She’s a life-long Torrington resident, and has been actively involved in promoting the needs and causes of many not-for-profits. Her volunteerism extends to statewide organizations such as the Connecticut Public Expenditure Council, Advisory Board of Connecticut National Bank, and Northwest Connecticut Community Technical College Board. She’s a former Small Business Woman of the Year through the Connecticut Department of Economic Development.
Dedicated to volunteerism and service, she’s made great contributions in her appointments to the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Board of Governors (member since 1993) and Board of the Warner Theatre, among others. She generously shares her knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise to help make a positive impact.
“The Women’s Leadership Initiative committee was unanimous in its selection of Gladys. She exemplifies the leadership role that women play in the Northwest Connecticut community,” noted Ms. Olsen. “She’s been a role model to many young women and broke through the glass ceiling, serving as president of a manufacturing company since 1978.”
The Girl Scouts of Connecticut have been selected as the recipient of Best Supporting Organization in the Role of Empowering Women because of its outstanding work with women and girls in Northwest Connecticut. Founded over 100 years ago, their mission is to build courage, confidence, and character.
“Girl Scouts of Connecticut was chosen because of its very important mission of building girls who make the world a better place,” said Ms. Olsen. “We felt that honoring Gladys and the Girl Scouts was the right way for us to continue this very important United Way of Northwest Connecticut initiative.”
A glamorous celebration will be held on Friday, May 2nd at 6:00 pm at Fairview Farms Golf Club in recognition of the honorees. The $100 tickets include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner served with wine, an awards ceremony, and dancing with music provided by the band TimeRider.
The Women’s Leadership Initiative, whose mission it is to mobilize the power of women to advance the Common Good in our communities, was founded in August 2012. The focus is Women, Young Women (Ages 13 to 18), and Families to educate, empower, and equip women to create positive changes in our Northwest Connecticut communities and to inspire others.
The committee has created a “Girls Summit” for eight grade girls, which is designed to teach skills for successfully navigating the teenage years, build self-esteem, inspire them to set goals so as to achieve their dreams…in short, to help nurture the skills they’ll need to become successful future leaders. The day will begin with a presentation by keynote speaker Karen Hinds, an inspiring author, business leader, and all-around phenomenal woman. Her personal story will empower our girls and help them develop the courage to make healthy and strong decisions for an amazing future. This program will also include learning sessions such as: Building Strong and Healthy Relationships; Healthy Inside and Out—Good Nutrition and Fitness; Put Your Best Face Forward—Hair, Make-up, and a Fashion Show.
Committee members include: Teresa Allen, Kathy Briggs, Susan Burton, Ashley Cerruto, Emily Emily Marchand-Cole, Cathy Coyle, Deirdre Houlihan DiCara, Tara Lynch, Kara Paganini, Candy Perez, JoAnn Ryan, Colleen Sullivan and Courtney Szigetvari.
For information on the May 2nd gala or the Women’s Initiative call the United Way office at (860) 489-4131.

Food Drive Making Gains

Many thanks to employees at O & G Industries, who contributed 433 items to Food For Your Neighbors today--a nice haul, though not enough to outdo Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, which has donated 462 items to date!  The total count is now at 1,459, so we have a long way to go.  Remember, the drive ends next Friday, but the "depot" behind the Register at 59 Field Street will be open to accept donations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 17-19, between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Volunteers will be standing by to accept your donations! Donations are also accepted at the United Way office on Bird Street, and if necessary, call the United Way office at 860-489-4341 to arrange a pickup at your business.  We hope that you'll help us make our annual food drive a big success. Thanks!!

YMCA Upcoming Events

The Northwest CT YMCA has the following March and April events:

March Madness:  Free Fridays at the Y during its "March Madness" membership promotion. Adults 21 and older are invited to try the Y for free at their Torrington, Winsted, and Canaan locations.


Crafts for a Cause: Sunday, March 30 from Noon to 4 p.m.  Featuring crafts and vendors. Door prizes and raffles. $2.00 per person ticket admission.  Proceeds will support the Y.


Fishing Derby:  Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to Noon at Camp Wa Was in Southfield, Mass. Visit www.baitandfish.org for more details. Other activities will be available, such as archery, hiking, and raffles. Proceeds will provide financial assistance for summer campers.


Read-A-Thon: Tuesday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Beardsley & Memorial Library in Winsted.  Proceeds will support the Y's Literacy program, which works with over 100 children and adults.

CMHA Welcomes New Medical Officer

Community Mental Health Affiliates, a United Way of Northwest Connecticut member agency, is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Atkins, MD, as the agency’s Chief Medical Officer. A board-certified psychiatrist, clinical trainer, and widely-published author, Dr. Atkins brings diverse and extensive administrative and clinical experience to CMHA. He is on the volunteer faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, and currently serves as an attending physician and psychiatrist at Waterbury Hospital Health Center. Dr. Atkins previously served as Chief of Professional Services and Medical Director for the Western CT Mental Health Network (DMHAS), and was a prior medical director for the department of behavioral health at Waterbury Hospital.  In addition to his published books in the field of psychiatry, Dr. Atkins is the author of numerous mysteries, psychological thrillers, and science fiction novels. Dr. Atkins is a graduate of New York University and Emory University School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatric residency at Yale. He will be based at our administrative headquarters in New Britain.

Canaan Children Care!

Students from the Canaan Child Care, a United Way agency, recently collected 76 items for the Fishes & Loaves food pantry, one of six food bank recipients for the United Way of Northwest CT annual Food For Your Neighbors food drive.
Director Fran Chapell and her teaching staff use the program as an educational tool.  In addition to helping those less fortunate in their community, the kids learn math skills by counting items, and they learn about nutrition and food groups. 
Thank you, Fran!

LARC Wine Tasting

A spring wine tasting to benefit LARC will be held on Friday, March 21 from 6-9 pm at the Torrington Elks Lodge, 70 Litchfield Street, Torrington. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 and are available at Tony's Drive In Package Store, Route 4, Harwinton or call 860-485-1490; LARC, 314 Main St. or 923 Migeon Ave., Torrington or call 860-482-9364; and the Chamber of Commerce, 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington. Tickets will be $30 at the door, and VIP tickets are $60.