Community Access

We spoke with Jamie and Scott, who discuss Favarh's annual benefit concert that features singer and songwriter Mike DelGuidice. In Connecticut both are involved with Favar, a nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, share their personal connections and experiences. Jamie's twin brother Brandon is a Favar client, and Scott is independently employed and met his wife through the program.

We spoke with Margaux Hyde, Chief Communications Officer for the Root Center for Advanced Recovery, about their work and upcoming events. The Root Center, founded in 1871, offers mental health and addiction services across Connecticut with 14 sites.

We spoke with Dr. Jean Weigert and Dr. Efaza Siddiqui from Jefferson Radiology about the importance of taking care of your health and getting tests to stay ahead of any potential cancer.

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, which inspired their "Sleep Well" program, providing over 3,000 new beds to children.

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 Connecticut, helping people in 165 of the state's 169 towns.

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. Kat shares her personal background in tennis and the foundation's plans for future events.

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 support their upcoming event on July 28.

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 develop athletic skills and community involvement in Bloomfield and surrounding towns.

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 national read-aloud of the Declaration of Independence on July 8. Carrie encourages community engagement and civic participation, promoting events like the town-wide celebration on July 2.

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 at New Park Brewing on September 24.