Born Political

Matthew Shulman – Board of Education, candidate for a 2-year term on the Groton Schools’ Board of Education. I’d like to share a little about the perspective I take on public education my past experience in teaching and education policy development, and my post-retirement hospital chaplaincy. But more importantly, I’d like this bio to encourage you to contact me about your hopes and concern for our children. I’ll need everyone’s input to help guide my reflection and decision-making process if I am elected to our Groton Board of Education. My email address is [email protected]

Dan Gatewski is a Groton Town Councilmen and Alistair Haglund is a student at Waterford High School.

unbreakit.org

This is a website for people with mental health issues in Connecticut.

It is for you. Not your therapists, your providers, or even your families. We are building an advocacy platform based on what you say should be changed.

When you sought mental health help or went to the emergency room, what happened?

What was messed up?

What did you wish was different?

Tell us. Our "SPEAK OUT" and "COMMENT" sections are anonymous. They will identify your county of residence only. Let’s tell others what it’s really like to try to get help. And fight for the changes to fix it.

Police Service Dog Program:  Since its inception in August of 2019, the Groton Police Department has been the proud recipient of two Labrador retriever service dogs, “McDonald” and “Chase”.  Both dogs were donated by Puppies Behind Bars (PBB), a non-profit organization that teaches inmates how to train service dogs for first responders and military veterans with PTSD.  McDonald was named after retired NYPD Detective Steven McDonald (EOW 1/10/2017) and trained in Bedford Hills Women’s Correctional Facility (NY).  Our current dog, Chase, is a 1 year old yellow lab, trained in Downstate Men’s Correctional Facility (NY).  Chase is partnered with Community Policing Officer Heather McClelland.  She accompanies Officer McClelland in her daily duties and has the primary role of providing assistance to the officers and staff of the Groton Police Department in a therapeutic manner.  Additional duties include carrying out community outreach functions such as educational programming, specialized events, and community interaction; providing assistance to victims of violent crime and other crimes of sensitive nature; creating a more engaging relationship between the community of Groton and the officers and staff employed by the Groton Police Department; and providing assistance to partner agencies, first responders and the many military personnel who call Groton home.

https://www.groton-ct.gov/departments/police/community.php

https://centeroftheblind.com/

Thurman Banks

https://grotonsail.com

We are simply people helping people. We listen to those who have been affected by the disease of addiction and assess their needs. We then offer our assistance through connecting them to recovery facilities, support groups, agencies, or other recovery or family support related entity.

For every individual we help, there is a positive impact on many. Healthy adults create stronger families. Stronger families empower each other to thrive and become engaged citizens. Stronger communities are built on the basis of mental wellness.

Doug is a United States Army Veteran in which he served for 8.5 years as a Mechanic and a Combat Life Saver. Doug was deployed in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and then again in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As the CEO of the Guardians, he is passionate about making CT and RI Combat Wounded Veterans feel as if they have another family. He works to provide that support system that many veterans need while they are either in transition or at other point in their life.

He is also the Military Outreach Director for Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (VETS), Communications Director for Team Red, White, and Blue, a member of the Veterans Advisory Board for Congressman Courtney and is on the post 9/11 Veterans Advisory Council that meets with Senator Blumenthal to address veteran issues.

Doug has completed being a student and has received his bachelors in Business Administration with a special interest in organizational/industrial psychology. He has achieved multiple military awards including Soldier of the Year, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal (4).