Community Access

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.

We spoke with Mark Moriarty, CEO of First Tee Connecticut, about their participation in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. First Tee Connecticut introduces golf and life skills to young people aged 5 to college, emphasizing the importance of learning and fun.

We spoke with Beth Hines, Executive Director of Community Partners in Action (CPA), about the organization's mission to help individuals transition from prison to community life. CPA, with roots back to 1875, operates reentry centers in Waterbury and Hartford, providing essential services like housing and employment assistance.

We spoke with Richard Wyman, Executive Director of the Community Music School in Essex, about their participation in the Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program. The school, which has been operating for 42 years, offers private music lessons and various programs for all ages, including an intergenerational string ensemble, a New Horizons band for retirees, and Music Together classes for young children.

We spoke with Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, about the challenges faced by the organization due to rising costs and increased food insecurity in Connecticut.

We spoke with Marissa Weidner, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Webster Bank, about the bank's involvement in the Travelers Championship and the Birdies for Charity program.

We spoke with Glynn Hawley, Director of Operations for the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), anout the 2026 event, aiming to raise $79 million for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The event on August 1-2 will feature 6,000 riders starting from Holy Cross in Worcester and Boston College in Wellesley.

We spoke with Eric Harrison, President and CEO of the United Way for Central and Northeastern Connecticut about The United Way which serves 56 communities in Connecticut, focusing on child literacy, financial stability, and workforce development. Their Rapid Response Fund provides $100,000 annually to prevent homelessness.