Community Access

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 Navigation program, which helps individuals find the right resources. They also discuss special funds like Angel Fund and Daisy Fund, which assist with unmet needs. Allison emphasizes the importance of community awareness and fundraising, mentioning their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program.

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 community support and shares her personal story of developing accessible chair yoga with the help of a yoga instructor.

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, through various activities. Michelle highlights the significant reduction in depression among families who stay at Ronald McDonald House. They have three locations in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, and volunteers are crucial to their operations.

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, or displacement. All board members and volunteers are unpaid, ensuring maximum support for their mission.

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 graduates attending college. Volunteer opportunities include on-court assistance, academic tutoring, and providing snacks.

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, they had 200 volunteers on National Rebuilding Day and are aiming for a $50,000 goal through the Travelers Birdies for Charity program.

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.