For the People

As we move through September - Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - we'll touch base with a local lawmaker who was a driving force behind the state establishing its Transforming Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee. We'll hear how that committee is now partnering with United Way of Connecticut and others to publicize both the immediate resources available for the families of young people experiencing mental health emergencies, as well as a network of mental health intake centers especially for young people established through our guest's dedicated work.

Then we'll re-connect with Stamford based ARI. Since the early 1950s, ARI has consistently been ahead of the curve developing programs and facilities and helping destigmatize and integrate alternately abled and neurodivergent young people and adults into the community and our regional workforce. We'll also tell you all about ARI's upcoming benefit event that will give you a chance to break out your cowboy boots.

And we'll close with a rep from the Southwest Community Health Center. This growing public health agency is providing high quality, accessible medical, dental and behavioral health services to individuals and families - especially the uninsured who reside in the medically underserved Southwest Bridgeport community. Their annual gala is coming up, so we'll tell you how and why you should consider supporting the cause through this event, direct donations, or volunteering.

We're going to open the show rolling with Wishes on Wheels, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing families, the trucking community, and supporters together to raise awareness, hope, and funds for children facing life-threatening illnesses. On September 27, Wishes on Wheels is hosting their annual Truck Convoy and Family Fun Day, so we'll talk with a rep from the nonprofit to let you in on how to attend or get involved.

Then, we'll welcome back our friends from the Women's Mentoring Network - providing the foundational skills for women to secure quality employment and pursue their educational goals - all at no cost. We'll discuss how you could play an important role in the work they are doing, or support the cause at the nonprofit's upcoming gala coming up later this week in Greenwich.

And we'll wrap things up featuring an informative conversation with The Connecticut Project. Since 2025, The Connecticut Project has been advocating for the state to protect the more than 32,000 residents who have lost SNAP due to federal cuts and changes, so we'll be focusing on what's to like and what's not to like for working class people who participated in the recent statewide one-time SNAP grocery card plan.

We're opening talking about recycling - specifically about recycling gas cylinders. Nearly a year ago, Connecticut began partnering with the Cylinder Collective, and we're going to fill you in about how this stewardship program  makes it easy to support recycling these cylinders easily and efficiently, thereby reducing our impact on the environment. 

Then we'll bring back the founder of Connecticut's own Women's Business Development Council. For 29 years, the WBDC has been the leader in entrepreneurial training and financial education for women, delivering programs and services that result in economic development and financial security for individuals and businesses. Their Catalyst Symposium event is coming up, so stick around and we'll tell you all about how the WBDC can help you - guys too!

Then, we'll be connecting with an organizer for Boobstock 2026. Boobstock is a 100% volunteer-run charity music festival held annually in Deep River. Since 2013, Boobstock has brought together musicians, families, and friends for a day of live music — all in the name of supporting breast cancer patients at Middlesex Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. Stick with us and learn how you can attend!