Community Access

We spoke with Sarah DiMeo-Carabetta from Acts 4 Ministry about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program at Travelers. Acts 4 Ministry, which started in 2002, provides essential items like clothing, housewares, and furniture to those in need. They have collected and redistributed over 10,000 square feet of goods. Sarah shares a personal story about a single mother and her daughters, whi...

We spoke with Perkin Simpson from Generation Power CT, formerly known as Operation Fuel. Perkin explains their mission to assist individuals with energy, fuel, water, and electricity bills, and provides education and advocacy. They experienced a record number of applications, with nearly 4,000 in nine days, leading to some being denied due to lack of funds. Generation Power CT serves all of Connec...

We spoke with Cat Clark from the Racquets for Life Foundation (RFL) about their Birdies for Charity program. RFL provides after-school and summer tennis programs for Hartford Public Schools students, including a graduation ceremony where participants receive rackets and balls. They also support individuals with disabilities, such as Asian A with cerebral palsy and a girl on the autism spectrum. Ka...

We spoke with Sarah McDonagh from the Bridgeport Rescue Mission explains their services, including a food pantry, housing programs, and addiction recovery, noting higher needs in Bridgeport compared to state averages. They also operate a free community health clinic in partnership with Sage. Sarah emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma around addiction and invites the community to suppor...

We spoke with Megan Wells from RISP Inc., a Bloomfield-based nonprofit focused on youth development, veteran assistance, and community needs. RISP hosts tournaments across New England, raising funds for various organizations. The program emphasizes the importance of sports in building skills like communication and teamwork. They also plan to launch "Beyond the Bases," a year-round initiative to de...

We spoke with Carrie Taylor from the Windsor Historical Society about the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus to donations made before the Travelers Championship ends. Carrie emphasizes the relevance of local history, highlighting Windsor's status as Connecticut's first English settlement in 1633 and its ongoing history. Upcoming events include a Benjamin Franklin talk and a nati...

We spoke with Lauren Messner from the We Before Me Foundation discusses their mission to make youth hockey accessible, particularly through scholarships and an intramural program with Covenant Preparatory Academy. The foundation, founded by Duncan Fletcher, aims to provide equal opportunities for all players, including equipment, ice time, coaching, and tournament expenses. They plan a fundraiser...

We spoke with Dave Kinahan and Lauren Messner from Connecticut CASA, an organization that trains volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers, like Dave, work closely with the child, family, and other stakeholders to ensure the child's best interests are met. Donations support the training and supervision of these volunteers. CASA has over 150 active c...

We spoke with Steve Boyle about the origins of 2-4-1 Sports, a nonprofit promoting multi-sport participation, which transitioned to a nonprofit in 2021, expanding its reach significantly. They emphasize the importance of not specializing in one sport early and the benefits of social-emotional learning through sports. Steve highlights their work in underserved areas, including Baltimore and Hartfor...

We spoke with Andrew Montgomery about Sarah's Hope, a charity launched in memory of his daughter Sarah, who passed away from a rare blood cancer. Sarah's story gained attention through her TikTok updates, and the charity aims to raise $100,000 over five years, with $30,000 already raised. The charity is linked to Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund, where Sarah received treatment. An upcoming event, Ar...

We spoke with Kevin Prue from Donate Life Connecticut. Kevin explains that Donate Life Connecticut focuses on organ donation awareness and increasing registrations to save lives. He shares his personal story of receiving a liver transplant on Thanksgiving Day 2022, highlighting the quick regeneration of the liver. Kevin emphasizes the importance of awareness and fundraising, noting that Donate Lif...

We spoke with Kathryn Schubert from the Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. Connecticut Humane Society offers various services, including pet food assistance, free vaccine clinics, and emergency veterinary funds to help pet owners. They are currently experiencing high adoption rates, particularly for cats and ki...

We spoke with Ryan Pettengill from the Dear Jack Foundation about their focus on supporting adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer, aged 15-39, through quality of life support, mental health resources, and community building. Ryan shares his personal connection to the cause, highlighting the lack of support for AYA patients and the importance of community. The foundation uses 85% of donati...

We spoke with Steve Morris from the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford about the organization's mission to improve literacy among adults, serving 19% of Hartford's population who read at or below the second-grade level. The nonprofit, established in 1972, offers classes in English, reading, writing, and citizenship preparation, with 100-125 volunteers annually. Steve highlighted a success sto...

We spoke with Jennifer O'Neill from Caritas Immigration Legal Services about their work providing legal assistance to low-income immigrant families in Central Connecticut. Caritas, formed in 2022, addresses the lack of affordable, trustworthy legal services for immigrants, many of whom are vulnerable to scams. They offer consultations, information, and legal representation. Jennifer shares a perso...

We spoke with Larisa Kottke from Leadership Greater Hartford at the Travelers Championship. Leadership Greater Hartford aims to develop and connect leaders to strengthen Greater Hartford, focusing on community leadership. Their programs, including training for nonprofit board members, foster collaboration across various sectors. Larissa highlights the importance of local impact and shares success...

We spoke with Lisa Lappe from The New Britain Museum of American Art, the oldest museum of American art in the nation, houses over 9,000 pieces of art spanning three centuries. The museum offers various social programs, including "Museum After Dark" events with themed parties like the annual "Mad Party" that attracts around 600 people in costume. The museum also hosts free community days on the th...

We spoke with Brianna Dunlap from South Park Inn, a 40-year-old homeless shelter in Hartford, about their services, including emergency shelter, veteran programs, and respite care for hospital discharges. The shelter currently operates at 80% capacity, rising to 100% in winter. They emphasize holistic support, including documentation assistance, sobriety programs, and mental health services. Brian...

We spoke with Nadine Thomas from Underground New England, an organization combating human trafficking in Connecticut since 2012, about the prevalence of trafficking across the state and the services they offer, including mental health, medical care, and housing for survivors. Donations directly support these services, helping survivors rebuild their lives. The organization also provides resources...

We spoke with Father Jeffrey Romans, Chairman of the Pastors Advisory Committee for the Archbishop's annual appeal, explains the Archdiocese of Hartford's role in supporting 93 parishes and over 160 local charities through the Vicaria Outreach Program. Last year, the appeal distributed over $1 million to these charities. Donors are encouraged to make their contributions before Sunday to receive th...

We spoke with Janice Castle from the Clay Arsenal Community Development Corporation (CDC) at the Travelers Championship. Janice explains that Clay Arsenal, a neighborhood in Hartford, is named after its historical significance and soil. The CDC, certified under the Governor's Poverty Reduction Act, aims to eradicate concentrated poverty by focusing on access to opportunity, including education, jo...

We spoke with Harry Bellucci, Executive Director of Hartford PAL, at the Travelers Championship. Hartford PAL, which stands for Police Activities League, provides free after-school and summer programs for youth in Hartford, focusing on sports, education, and community engagement. Harry highlights the success of their programs, including a STEM program, a culinary program that has become very popul...

We spoke with Donna Palomba, founder of Jane Doe No More, about her organization's mission to support victims of sexual crimes. Started 20 years ago, the foundation aims to improve societal reactions to victims and educate on consent and bystander intervention. Donations fund free programs in schools and self-defense classes for women and girls. Donna highlighted the removal of the statute of limi...

We spoke with Bridget Quinn from the Hartford Public Library about the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus on donations to charities, including the Hartford Public Library, thanks to Webster Bank and Aetna. The library uses the Library of Congress classification system and has expanded its digital collections and services, including HPL Studios for podcasting and video production...

We spoke with Cody Foss from Kind Works Inc. about their mission to inspire kindness through community art at the Travelers Championship. Kind Works, a nonprofit from Bethel, Connecticut, aims to connect communities and promote self-kindness. They emphasize the importance of kindness in combating social isolation and mental health issues, highlighting the ripple effect of small acts of kindness. C...