Community Access

We spoke with Emily about Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW). NOW, a nonprofit since 2011, provides free sports opportunities and scholarships for youth in the Northeast 395 Connector area, serving 10 towns. They offer life skills, social-emotional support, and programs like Mindful Munchkins for young children. Donations support scholarships and low-cost programs, including soccer clinics...

We spoke with Dawn Saczynski from RJ's Goals, a foundation created in memory of Dawn's son RJ Giammattei, who passed away at 27. RJ's Goals aims to provide soccer balls to children, having donated to various organizations including the Brantford Soccer Club, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, and New Haven Parks and Rec. Dawn shares that the foundation has grown through word of mouth and communit...

We spoke with Alison Dvorak, Senior Resources Agency on Aging about their work supporting older adults and caregivers in Eastern Connecticut. Allison explains their services, including senior nutrition programs, caregiver support, and Medicare assistance. They manage federal and state funds to provide resources like transportation, home health aides, and groceries. Allison highlights their Service...

We spoke with Renee LaBonte from the Southeast Connecticut Community Center of the Blind about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus match for donations. The center aims to build community for the blind and low vision individuals, providing various recreational activities like birding by ear, chair yoga, and sports. Renee highlights the importance of commun...

We spoke with Michelle D'Amore from Ronald McDonald House about their participation in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. Ronald McDonald House provides essential services to keep families together during their children's medical crises, reducing the length of hospital stays and alleviating stress. They offer support for the entire family unit, including siblings, throu...

We spoke with Ashley Dunn from New Horizons, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities in Unionville, Middlebury, and Canton. New Horizons provides barrier-free housing and community support, celebrating 40 years of operation. They offer transportation services to ensure residents attend appointments.

We spoke with Tara Gill from Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut, an after-school program for girls in third to eighth grade that focuses on self-esteem, teamwork, and the importance of movement, culminating in a 5K run. Tara highlights the program's growth in Connecticut, serving about 750 girls across various counties and celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

We spoke with Matt Heller from Friends of Feeney, a nonprofit founded by Eric Feeney, a teacher in West Hartford, to support local children and families experiencing tragedy. Since becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2019, they have provided over $315,000 to 151 families. The organization offers direct financial assistance to families affected by the loss of a loved one, significant illness, serious injury, o...

We spoke with Liz Styblo from Capital Squash Inc. at the Travelers Championship for Birdies for Charity. Capital Squash is a non-profit after-school program in Hartford that combines an hour of squash with an hour of academic tutoring for students. Liz emphasizes the program's commitment to helping students become well-rounded individuals, with a 100% high school graduation rate and 21 out of 25 g...

We spoke with Dawn Whalen, the executive director of Rebuilding Together Hartford, about their organization's work. Rebuilding Together Hartford focuses on no-cost home repairs for Hartford homeowners with incomes around 50% of the area median income. They serve a wide range of people, including homeowners with small children, senior citizens, veterans, and those who have lost a spouse. Last year,...

We spoke with Shelly Pope, Executive Director of Shepherd Meadows Equestrian Center in Bristol, about their equine-assisted services, which include adaptive riding, hippo therapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. The center, celebrating its 20th anniversary, serves individuals from age 4 to 94, with a focus on unmounted therapy. They offer group programs and open barn days.

We spoke with Andrew Montgomery, raising funds for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber in honor of his daughter Sarah, who had a rare and aggressive blood cancer, aims to raise over $100,000 for Dr. Andy Lane's research. Andrew's first fundraising event raised over $20,000, and they have already raised over $2,000 through Birdies for Charity.

We spoke with Jeff Bravin, Executive Director of the American School for the Deaf (ASD), and his interpreter, Heidi. ASD offers a range of programs including a statewide birth-to-three program, K-12 education, residential treatment for students with emotional and behavioral challenges, a summer camp in Salisbury, Connecticut, an online academy, community sign language classes, and interpreting ser...

We spoke with Sivan Hines, President of Hartford Promise, about the organization's mission to provide college opportunities for Hartford students regardless of financial circumstances. Since its inception in 2016, Hartford Promise has awarded over $10 million in scholarships, with 500 graduates and 450 current students. The program offers comprehensive support, including individual college coachin...

We spoke with Anne D'Orvilliers, Chair of Medical Aid to Haiti Inc., about their efforts to provide healthcare in Haiti. Medical Aid to Haiti has been operating for over 16 years, supporting a hospital near Port-au-Prince that offers various medical services, including maternal health, surgery, ophthalmology, and dental care.

We spoke with Kelly Dougherty, Partnerships and Communications Coordinator at Hands on Hartford, about their community programs. Hands on Hartford, a 57-year-old nonprofit, serves Hartford with 11 programs focusing on food security, housing assistance, and health support. Their Gather 55 restaurant offers meals for $3 or through volunteer work during the day and transforms into a fine dining exper...

We spoke with Patrick Owens, Executive Director from Horizons at Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut. The program, funded by Travelers' $4 million donation, serves 150 students from Hartford with six weeks of summer enrichment, including academics and various activities. The program is fee-free, thanks to $500,000 raised annually, with additional support from the Birdies for Charity progra...

We spoke with Izzy Post Ruhland, the Marketing Director of the Enfield Fourth of July celebration, about the upcoming event. The celebration, which marks the 250th birthday of the United States, will take place from July 10-12. It features concerts, kids' activities, a parade, car show, road race, and fireworks, with the latter being the highlight, produced by Zambelli International.

We spoke with Matt Fleury, President and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center, about the center's community support and upcoming exhibits. The Science Center, a partnership between the state, philanthropists, and donors, has welcomed over 5 million visitors in 17 years. This summer, the center will feature a major shark exhibition, including a life-size megalodon, and an outdoor kids' space funde...

We spoke with Krissy Dorsey, Executive Director of the CJK Foundation, about their involvement in the Travelers Championship. The CJK Foundation, which aims to make mental health accessible, receives a 15% match on donations thanks to Webster Bank and Aetna. The foundation focuses on community support and provides financial assistance for mental health treatment, including co-pays and sliding scal...

We spoke with Carrah Kalat, Aetna's Chief Marketing Officer. Last year, Travelers donated $4 million to area charities, with $2.8 million from the Birdies program, matched by Webster Bank and Aetna, which offers a 15% match on donations. Over 220 charities are participating this year. Aetna's involvement reflects their commitment to community support, having been deeply rooted in Connecticut for o...

We spoke with Jennifer Levine, Director of External Relations at Hartford Stage, about their upcoming collaboration with TheaterWorks Hartford on the production of "Sweeney Todd." The show, directed by Rob Ruggiero, will run from June 5 to July 5.

We spoke with Tamer Mourad, Vice President and Director of Training at Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, about their work and the impact of donations. Fidelco, which has been breeding German Shepherds since the 1960s, provides guide dogs to visually impaired individuals through community placements, where trainers travel to clients' homes.

We spoke with Kara Capone, CEO of Mercy Housing and Shelter, about their work in Hartford. Established in 1983, Mercy Housing aims to help people transition from homelessness to stability. The demand for their services has surged post-COVID due to an affordable housing crisis.

We spoke with Shaun Heffernan, Executive Director of Camp Rising Sun, about how the camp offers a free, therapeutic summer experience for children with cancer and their siblings, including activities like horseback riding and swimming.